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1 

2 

3 

4 

L 

5 

6 

r                           I. 

Ul 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


OF  TIIK 


SECOND    WAK 


BETWEEN  THE 


UNITED    STATES    OF    AMERICA, 


AND 


GREAT    BRITAIN, 


TECLARED  BY 


ACT  OF  COXGIIESS,  THE  18th  OF  JUXE,  1812, 


AND  CONCLUDED  BY  PEACE,  THE  15th  OF  FEBRUARY,  1815. 


BY 


CHARLES    J.     INGERSOLL. 


EMBRACING    THE    EVENTS    OF    1814. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

LEA    AND    BLANC  HARD. 

1849. 


c< 


^  1 


? 


J. 


1/7 


I'.uti'rt'il  iiL'coiiliiig;  to  ilie  Act  of  Coiij^n^ss,  in  tlie  year  ISI'.i,  \>y 

LEA  AND  BLANCIIARD, 

ill  tlio  Cli'i-k"s  Ollic'o  of  the  Dir^lrict  Court  for  the  Eastern  ])i.~triot  of  IVMiiisylvaiiia. 


% 


riiir.ADEi.riiiA- 

T.  K.  AND  F.  G.  COLLINS,  I'UINTEKS. 


TABLE 


OF 


•%•:• 


CHAPTERS    AND    CONTENTS. 


■  CHAPTKR  I. 

Conquest  of  Cniiinln,  17,  19. 

Parties  in  Uniieil  States,  stnte  of,  19,  21. 

Loans,  Anioriciin  iind  Eiif^lisii,  of  1814,  21,  22. 

Mililiii  withlielil  by  State  of  Mussucliusetts,  22, 
23. 

Lawrence's  fimerai  (liscountenanceil,  23,  21. 

General  Kastern  tlis-satisfaction,  24. 

Oppoiiiiion  to  war  in  Maryland,  24. 

Liitlier  Martin's  cliarjjc  to  Gninil  Jury,  24, 25,  and 
Jndgo  I'oinilextcr's  cliargo  in  Missi.-^siitpi,  25. 

Governors  of  New  England  Stales,  25,  26. 

Governor  Chiicenden  orders  back  militia  of  Ver- 
mont, 26. 

Sharp's  resolutions  tlieronpon  in  Congress,  and 
Otis's  resolutions  in  Legislature  of  Massachu- 
setts, 27. 

Boston  project  of  sectional  peace,  27. 

Prisoners    of  war   released   by  Massachusetts, 

Pennsylvania  legislation  thereon,  2'.t. 

Resolutions  of  Legislature  of  Massachusetts, 
•J'.i,  '.in. 

Pcxier's  letter,  disapproving  opposition,  30. 

Keturii  of  runinant  of  garrison  of  Chicago,  31, 
32. 

Kewlbundland  Fisheries — proceedings  ot  St. 
Johns,  32. 

Te.xas,  Mexico,  Spanish  American  revolutions, 
33,  34. 

Neutrality  of  American  government  thereupon, 
35. 

European  war — Napoleon  orders  frigates  on 
American  moilel,  34. 

English  Regent's  speeches  it\  Parliament  against 
I'nited  States — make  an  issue  of  nuval  superi- 
ority, 35,  36. 

Washington  tuid  New  Orleans  threatened,  36. 

Dnke  of  Sussex,  at  public  meeting  in  London,  de- 
clares that  war  is  to  put  down  French  demo- 
cracy, 30. 

Cainting  urges  in  Parliament  perpetual  war  till 
British  naviil  reverses  are  smothered  in  vic- 
torie.s  over  Americans,  37,  38. 

War  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States 
prosecuted  hy  the  former  (orcinj?  the  latter, 
fortunate  for  the  United  States,  37. 


CHAPTER  IL 

Second  session  of  war  Cungrpss,  38. 

Embargo  urged  by  President,  and  enacted,  38,  39. 

License  and  illicit  trade  with  the  enemy  exten- 
sive till  condemned  judicially,  39,  4i). 

Allen,  British  Consul  at  Boston, prosecuted  f<.ir  it, 
escapes,  41. 

His  activity  in  it  censured  by  the  British  admi- 
rals and  minister — their  correspondence  on  the 
subject,  42,  43. 

Swiss  informer's  disclosures,  44,  45. 

Coinit  Stuarton's  application,  43. 

John  Graham's  secret  mission  to  Massachusetts, 
45,  47. 

Sir  George  Prevost's  detected  secret  instructions, 
45. 

Royalist  Secret  Association,  47. 

Swiss  informer's  letters,  47,  50. 

British  minister  and  consul-general  detected  dis- 
tributing licenses,  5il. 

Debate  on  embargo,  50,  51. 

liritish  gtjvcrnment  bills,  52. 

Blockade  extended  to  Now  England,  53. 

Bine  light  signals  to  enemy  denounced  by  Deca- 
tur, 53. 

Impressment  of  Hirain  Thayer,  54,  55. 

Impressment  of  John  Lewis,  55. 

Exeeiuion  of  Joseph  Warburton,  65. 

Arrival  of  brig  Bramble  with  rejection  by  Eng- 
la'  '  of  Russian  mediation,  55,  50. 

Nc        of  British  European  success,  5<i. 

Aci  of  Congress  to  preserve  and  display  cap- 
tured Hags,  57. 

French  inlluencc  charged  in  Congress,  58. 

viuestion  in  Congress  of  appropriation  without 
estimates,  58. 

Naval  esiab' bhments  of  United  States,  59. 

English  deprecation  of,  59. 

Army  of  United  States,  00-62. 

Lieutenant-general  proposed,  62. 

Contemplated  changes  of  administration,  62. 

Treasury  report — Timidity  of  government,  03. 

Debate  on  the  Loan  Bill — Webster,  Forsyth, 
Calhoim,  64-07. 

Embargo  repealed,  and  restrictive  system  con- 
demned, 69,  70. 

Supplies,  whether  withheld,  72. 


vl 

Li'.vs  prnjinspl,  liiil  not  piis-c'l.  7^1. 

Rpsdliitinns    ill    fJ|'ii!ili'    r|iii>ii(iiiiiix 

liir.vcr  U)  (ill  v;i.-aiil  j.'.iirr,-,  7  1, 


COXTI 

--  ♦ 

PrcsiiloMt'; 


CilAPTKU  III. 

Cro;!li!in    nnd    Sincliiir's   cxiicdilidii  to    Blicliili- 

initciiinc,  75.     Its  lliiliire,  7('). 
Britisli  navnl  pilliuitry,  l)y  furprisc!   and  cnjitnre 

of  Unito'l  Slates  sohooacrs  Tijjross  and  Scor 

pion,  77,  78. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

rnnndinn  Pnriiamoiit,  78. 

"         Iii'liiiii  treaty,  70, 
('nplaiii  Ilnlmi's'  expe;litinn.  SO,  81. 
Biilisli  icpiiNi'il  at  Oisi'L'i),  HI.  S,'. 

"  "  ri.aitshiirL',   V.'. 

"  "  Big  SiiiKly  Creek,  83. 

Anierjeanj  repiiiiied  at  La  Cole  Mill,  bj,  S't. 
Biilisli  eiilerpri-e  at  Pellipamr,  81. 
Biowii's  Canadian  campaign,  S5-S7. 
Fort  Erie  taken,  88. 
Battle  of  Chippewa,  80-9-2. 
Battle  of  Bridgewater,  95-00. 
GiMieral  Brown's  diary,  11)0-10.'). 
CJenernl  Je:-siip's  narrativi  ,  lllii-lOS. 
Reflections  on  war  and  its  ell'euts  in  the  United 

Stales,  llO-irJ. 
Importance  of  Urown's  cainpaign,  IK),  114. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Penohscot  valley  ilainied  liy  EnL;laMd,  I  1  1. 

Easiport  eaptini'd.  115.     And  Ca^tiiie,  11(1. 

Slipop  iif  war,  tlie  ,Fcilni  .\danis,  de.<tr(iyed,  117. 

Pemdiseot  valley  ilisfiracelnlly  snrrendered,  I  18. 

Holmes'  speech   on    the    defcelion  of  iMas.sichu 
sMIs,   110. 

The  ships  of  the  line  and  fri;j;ate  Constitution  at 
BiiT-ton  and  l'ort>nioiiili,  abaniloneil  liy  the 
Stale  anthorilics,  I'JO,  I'.'  1. 

Uefi'iided  Ijy  Bainhridge  and  the  people  of  Bos- 
ton, 131. 

Disloyally  of  IMassacinisetts  repaid  \>y  British 
depreciations,  122. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Batih's  of  Plaitshnr^',  123. 

General  Izard's  departnro  thence,  and  Prevost's 
advance,  13-I. 

Macomb's  force  and  preparations,  125. 

Brili^ll  and  American  squadrons  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  130. 

Battle  on  the  lake,  127. 

Land  battle,  138. 

Briti.sh  retreat,  129. 

Account  I»y  a  Vermont  volunteer,  131. 

Macdonoiigh's  exemplary  i)iety,  its  tendency  to 
a  Rreat  inaritime  reforin,  133. 

Governor  Chittenden's  proclamation,  133,  134. 

Testimony  of  the  English  press  to  the  superiority 
of  the  American  navy,  135,  137. 


•NTS. 

Kn;;li<h  deprecatinn  of  any  peace  till  their  navid 
reverses  are  atoned  lor,  138. 

Prevost's  I'xpedilion  to  penetrate  New  York, 
iirdered  by  En^'li>h  ministry,  130. 

,\mcrican  and  ISriti-h  navy,  110,  Ml. 

Brilish  vessels  of  war  ordered  to  avoid  Ami'ri- 
eans — remarkable  similarity  of  early  Ameri- 
can and  snbseiinent  British  orders  in  thi^ 
resjieet.  111,  113. 

Eiifjlisli  complaints  of  American  iiuval  enter- 
prises, 143,  144. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Siepo  and  n«<>ault  of  Fort  Erie,  145,  Mf*. 

(leneral  I/ard's  march  to  Niagara,  1  l"-140. 

Brown's  sortie  from  Fort  Erie,  15(1, 

(leneral  .les.snp's  accoimt  of  it,  151,  152. 

I/ard's  junction  with  Brown,  153. 

General   Bissell  defeats  Marrjuis  of  Tweeilale, 

154. 
American  fc)rces  abnTidon  Canada,  154, 
American   and   British    tlcels  on    Lake  Ontario, 

1 5.5. 
General  McArthur's  cxi)cdilion,  I5fi. 


CHAPTER  Vni. 

British  hostilities  in  the  Chesai>eake,  150. 
Barney's  flolilla  there,  157. 
False  confidence  at  Washington,  158 
Cochrane's    fleet  with    Ross'    nriny  enters   the 

Chesapeake,  15S,  159. 
British  barbarous  hostilities,  100. 
Ccickbnrn  imhices  Ross  to  inarch  to  Washington, 

when  ill  pursuit  <if  Barni^y,  Ifil. 
Barney's  flotilla  burned  by  order  of  government, 

103. 
Alarm  at  VVasliington — Cabinet  meeting,  102. 
ri<lin;;s   from    France  of  Brilish   sneeesnes  and 

Boinbons  restored,  lli3,  Il'i3. 
Admiral  Cockburn  officially  annoimees  war  of 

di^vasiation,  101. 
(.lencral    Winder  appointed   to   command    new 
military  district,  coiiiprehending   Washington, 
10  1,  105, 
.■\larin  at  Wa^hington,  105. 
Troops  march   ihcni'e,  but  are  not  allowed   to 

encoiinler  the  enemy,  105. 
Briti.-h  march  to  Washington,  100. 
American  fon-es  at  Battalion  Old  Field,  107. 
Baltimore  trotips  at  Bladeiisbnrg,  l('i8. 
Distraction  of  government  and  troops,  100. 
Inipiiry  by  Ctaigress  into  the  cause  of  ,^meric!in 

(li-comlilnre,  170. 
Sui)ersedcd  by  news  of  Jack.son's  success,  171. 
British  views  of  battle  of  Bladeiisburg,  173. 
Battle  of  Bladcnsburg,  173. 
Ainerican  malformation — British  hesitation,  at- 
tack, and  instant  success,  174. 
Madison's  retreat,  177. 
Battle  resumed,  and  British  worsted  by  Barney 

and  Miller,  178,  179. 
Minor's  Virginia  regiment,  180. 
Evacuation  and  burning  of  Washington,  181-5. 
Ross  and  Cockburn  sup  by  the  light  of  the  Pre- 
sident's house  in  lluiues,  180. 
Intelligence  oflico  burned — Post  office  saved,  188. 


I 


I 


t'ONTKXTS. 


Vll 


■  till  ilic'ir  n.n:i| 
Vc    \c\v   York, 

no. 

,  Ml. 

o  nviiiil  Ami'ii- 

1)1"  I'nrly  Ami'ii- 

orilcrs    ill    iMs 

III    tiiwal  pinor- 


15,  Mf>. 
11,  ll"-14'.». 
■)0. 

-J  I,  152. 
t. 
i  of  TwiumIhIo, 

n.  l.')4. 

1    r^aUc  Ontario, 

lOfl. 


ako,  150. 

158 
iny  enters    tlio 


to  Wiifliinsiton, 

1. 

of  H'H'cnimoiit, 

nicotine,  10-2. 

louncos  wnr  of 

['oinmuni!    new 
ij?   VVas^liiiigloii, 


not  nllowcd  to 

fi. 
FicM,  If.7. 
Ii'hS. 

oops,  lii',1. 
so  of  AiiH-riciin 

s  PU(('c's.«,  171. 
>buig,  17a. 

I  hesitation,  ai- 
sled by  Barney 


ington,  181-5, 
ght  of  the  Pre- 

llice  saved,  1S8. 


GciifrnI  Ross  d  'nlorcs  hii  cumluut  at  Washiiia- 

ton,  \WK 
(ji'iii'nil    Ross  hastily  rotrciits  \>y  iiiijlit,  iificr  a 

viiiji'iit  >torin,  ill  j^rciit  alann,  I'.Mi,  I'.U. 
Acfouiit  hy  an  inliahitaiit  of  ni.idciisbiii';.',  lV)l-5. 
liarliarity  of  llii!  sai'U  of  VVasliiii,i,'toii,  lUtJ. 
lis  liciH'liiMiii  I'll'iTts  at  lioiiii'  and  aliroad,  iy7. 
Not   iiion:   furiiiidaldo    than   Diituh   at   London, 

I'JS. 
l)i'iioiinri'd  in  I'lirlianient  hy  iMackintu.sli,  199. 
ISritish  ai'i'oniiis  of  tlicir  alann  and  rutrcut,  'MO. 
I'lciic'li  iiiinistiT  at  Washington, -01. 
Alexandria  |iliindi'r<'d,  ■_'()','. 
Dcliat  and  dcalli  of  Sir  IVtcr  Parker,  'J0,1. 
Ki'inoval  of  arcliivi'.-i  froiii  VViisliiiifilon,  UUl. 
iMrs.  .Madi.-on's  stay  and  lliiilit,  :J05-7. 
JJir  tiavinn  tlin  iiictiire  of  VVashinyton,  200. 
Madison's  lli^iht  into  Virginia,  'JUiS,  'juy. 
Ills  rcliirn  to  VViisliinjjton,  'JlJ'.t. 
Ariiislidiijj  comjiulk'd  to  rcyiyii,  2  lU. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Briti>h  attack  Raltimori'.  210. 
Baltli;  of  North  I'oint  and  death  of  Ross,  311. 
Attack  and  defence  of  I'ort  .Nh-Menry,  21-.'. 
Briti-li,  worsted  hy  land   and  water,  retreat  pre- 

C'ipitatcly  in  the  niirlit,  2  1 'J. 
The  '•  Star  .'^[lantilcd  lianner,"  written  by  Francis 

Key  during'  boinbaidinciit,  211. 
;  American  basis  liir  peace  presented  by  .Xnicricaii 
*       ininislers  at  (iiicnt  the  day  that  \V'a>hin^ton 

was  binned,  215. 
]\Ir.  i'liiy's   note   to  ilie   British   ministers  there. 

inliirinini,'  tbcin   of   the   deleat  and  death   oi' 

Ross,  2!,'). 
Briii>li  ministerial  mistake  as  to  ellect  of  capture 

of  Wasliinmoii,  2  I '). 
Little  ell'i'i'toi'  liritish  liostiliiies  in  America,  2  I. 'i. 
Their  perinaiient  benetits  to  manntactiircs  more 

tlian  coinpensatory  lia-  teiii|)orary  intcrniplioii 

of  coiiinnrce,  215. 
Retribntivi-  justice   indicted    everywhere,  espe- 
cially at  Xew  Orleans,  on  U-itisli  proloiii;alion 

of  war  for  vengeance  iiiui  coii(uie=t,  2  111. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Hartford  Convention,  216. 

Its  jriiilt  denied,  but  infamy  confessed,  217. 

Pliinier's  nceonnt  of  its  origin   in    1S03  on  the 

ac(|iiisition  of  Louisiana,  2 1 8. 
Design  of  disiniion   denounced  to  Jell'erson  by 

Adams  in  IbDS,  2 IS. 
Henrys  mission — he  exonerates  the  people  of 

New  England,  219. 
Purchase  of  Louisiana,  220. 
Proposed  meeting  thereupon  at  Borton,  221. 
Plinner's  and  Adams"  averments  of  disunion  (bv 

iiied,  221,222. 
Conclusions  and  (iiiestion  resulting.  222. 
No  legal  treason,  but  extreme  disalK'cMion,  22  1. 
Publications  for  disunion — meeting  tor  it,  225. 
('tis  and  (inincy,  22li. 
Noali  Webster's  iiccoim'  ofor'gin  of  the  Ha:t'\)v.i 

Conventi'M),  220,  227. 
Daniel  Webster's   aversion  to   it — Otis'  account. 


Otis"  resolutions  for  State  army,  ami  ilcnoinici'- 

nieiit  of  Federal  Coiistiliilioii,  ','27. 
Protests  of  ininorilies  in  Legi'lalnte  of  Mas-ii- 

cliiisetts,  22S. 
Violence  ol' lenders  ihccked  by  tiiniiliiy,  229. 
Convention  odious  out  of  Ni'W  England,  2'.".i 
•States    not   nnaiiiinoiis  in    New    England,  °.^j9, 

230. 
Connec'iiciit    rnediat  "s — New    llanipsliire    tb;. 

elines — \'erinoiit  rejects,  230. 
Polity  of  Conneeticut  — leyislation  — [laitisaiis  op- 
pose governor,  230.  '.'31. 
.^^■elillg  of  Convention  at  Harlfprd,  232. 
'rimoions  and  liMrndess  r^'soUcs,  'J.'^'l. 
Holmes'  spi'ccli  in  ticnate  of  .Ma-sacbiisclts.  V'rl, 
Lii'iitenant  Coldiiel   .lcs.-iip'>    reiTiiiliirg    rende/. 

volts    ut    Hartlbrd,  and  sciaci   inisslon   tlnii', 

235. 
Publii'    sentiinent    of    Connectii'iii    mid    Urili?!i 

o|iinioii,  23(j. 
.Ic.-snp's  suggestion  to  Goodrich,  237,  2'IS, 
Act  of  Assembly  Hgainst  eiili.stinent  of  minor*, 

239. 
Adjournment  of  Convention.  239. 
n(degates  to  visit  Washington,  210. 
Suspicious  disclosure  by  letter  from  Washingion, 

2-10. 
Boston  (la/.ette  proclaims  siibmissit.ii  to  llngland, 

211. 
C.inditions  cd'ibat  submission.  211. 
Convention  deli'gates,  on  their  way  to  Washing- 
ton,   encounter    news    of   Jackson's   victories 

and  pence,  2  11. 
Mr.  Adams'  averment  of  treason  coiilidverleil  by 

Conneclicnl  niembcrs  ol'  C'oic.;ri'.-s,  2  13. 
Disall'ected  in    .Massaclnisclts  dismayed  byJ-i.'l;- 

soii's  victories,  ■.'  I  I 
Di-giace  of  llarlf'rd  Convi'iitioii  pronounc  ■  1  !.y 

.iolin  t^iiiiicy  ,\danis,  'Jl  1. 
His  ileath,  cli:i racier  an  1  ob.,!"|uii's,  2  1  I--  i?i. 


CHAPTER  Xr. 

« 

Bank  of  L'niled  ."^citcs  atteiir  .    '  Ik  JM-!.  T  , 
New  York  petitions  |  rcsentcHl     i  •'     i.gr. 
Simon  .Snyiler's  veto  ol' new  banks  m  I'lnu-Wia 

niii,  250. 
All  banks  south  of  New  England  stoji  paynenl 

on  thecaptiire  of  Washington,  251. 
Treasury  distri.'ss  and  inlirinity,  252. 
Georgi.'  W.  Campbeli  appointed  Secretary,  253. 
His  resignation,  25  I. 

Alexander  .lames  Dallas  ai>printed,  255. 
Recommends  national  bank  as  the  only  reli,  I', 

250. 
Bill  reported  :■  ■'■ordinL'ly. 
.Mr.  Callioiin"s  project  of  a  bank, 250. 
Rejected,  257. 
Senate's  plan,  258. 
Stock  controversies,  258,  250. 
Bank  rejected  by  Spi'aker  Cheve's  vote,  201'). 
-Agitation  thereiipoii,  -ill,  2ii2. 
."licKee's  ]ilan  pass  s  bi'lli  11,;  i-cs,  2ijO,  2i'i1. 
Vet(  'd  by  the  President,  ui'l. 
News  of   p"nce  di-^coM'^'e'-eT^ns  !,(iid<  proj"ct;. 

"      '.■  'ill  ind  ■!bii'"'y  •T-tporcd.  CiVJ. 
i  axe-  imposeil  iiy  Dallas' r;-coiniiiendilion — ids 
resi^niation,  2ii3. 


▼in 


CHAPTER  XII. 


CONTENTS. 

— • — 


Bnnk  chartered,  3(13. 

United  Sintps  widom  without  nntioiml  bnnk — 

rocoinmendoil  by  every  Secretary  ol'  the  Trcu- 

•ury,  Wli,  2<'i.|. 
Prosiilent  Jnak!<ni)  opposed  to  it,  204. 
Chnnxe  of  his  cid)iiiet,  265. 
Van  Biiren  rejected  by  the  Senate,  and  recalled 

from  En(;lnnd,  20l). 
Cliiyton's  committee — report,  QCH, 
Jackson's  siirce.tsivu   eiibinels   liivnrnbic  to    re- 

clmrtcrofbank,  and  the  war  republican  parly, 

2f.8. 
Nicholas   Biddle  nt   Washington    soliciting   ru- 

charter,  2t'.<). 
Senate  majority  for  the  Imnk,  200. 
Mr.  Biddle  advised  not   to  urpe  rceliarter   till 

after  Jackson's  re-election,  201*. 
His  difnculties   and  elForts  to  overcomo  them, 

21)9. 
Bank  bill,  passed  by  both  Houses,  vetoed,  270. 
Made  a  party  cpiestion,  iit  which  Jackson  tri- 

umpheil,  271,  272. 
Affair  of  the  3  per  cent,  stocks,  272. 
"  French  draft,  27,'),  274. 

Jackson  determined  t(J  withdraw  dcposites,  275. 
Jackson's  eastern  journey,  270. 
Mr.  Duatie,  277. 
Cabinet  council,  278. 
Mr.  Unanc  dismissed — and  Mr.  Taney  appointed, 

2  7  It. 
Removal  of  depositcs,  280. 
Proceedings  in  Couj^ress,  281. 
Dcposite  act  of  18;if.,  282. 
Jackson's  plan  of  bank,  28'),  284. 


Stnto  Imnks  stop  payment,  285. 
Nicholas  Uidille,  285,  2hli. 
Bimk  vetoed  by  Tyler,  887. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Mr.  Gallatin  and  Mr.  Biiyard  at  St.  Pctcrsbnr'.;, 

288. 
Russian  mediation  rejected,  28'J, 
French  opininu  of  it,  2Un. 
I'^iglisli  vcngi'aiic'i'  nn  America,  201. 
Mr.  (iiillaliu  and  Mr.  iiayard  in  London,  202. 
Mr.  (lajliilin's  Iclters,  20;),  201. 
London  li'Slival  for  peace,  204,  205. 
Mr.  (Sailatin's  interview  with  Alexander,  2'J*>. 
.'Spanish  ilesigns  on  [^unisiana,  207,  208. 
Connnissioners  at  Ghent,  208,  290. 
Enijlish  designs  of  conquest,  200,  .'100. 
Colibett's  aniniiidversion  on  them,  .'iOl. 
Overture  of  conlercncc  at  Ghent,  302. 
Hrilish  sini!  rpia  iion,  '101. 
I'nihiililc  rupture  of  negation,  3(J5. 
Reaction  in   the  United  States  on  disclosure  I'l 

terms,  .'100,  307. 
British  terms  denounced  in  Parliament,  3i)8. 
Sudden  change  of  hostile  tone,  .')00. 
Sigtuiture  of  treaty,  310. 
Approved  by  Wellington  at  Paris,  310. 
IVai.'c  rumors  and  belief  in  United  Stau-s,  311. 
The  treaty  unwelcome  to  British  pride  necessary 

to  lirilish  peace,  312,  313. 
Snile  of  England,  314,  ,'115. 
ICuglaud  at  the  Congri'ss  of  Vienna,  31(*i. 
I'eucc  welcome,  but  not  needful  tu  this  country, 

317. 


1 

1 


» 


i 


lsl'2 


la. 


IIISTOlllCAL    SKETCH 


(III. 

I  at  St.  Petprsljiir^', 

su. 
en,  aoi. 

ill  LuikIuii,  Q03. 
I. 

■I,  aiT). 

AlcXIIIllIlT,  !i'Jt>. 

,  '2117,  'JII8. 
I,  'J9'J. 

•2<.»y,  .'tOD.     - 
Ikmii,  :ioi. 
cut,  au'^. 

305. 
■8  Oil  (liriulosiiro  I'l 

*iirliiinioiit,  [ViH. 
-•,  au'J. 

'nris,  310. 

Jiiiic'd  siiiti's,  ail. 

tish  priilu  iic'ci'ssiiiy 

ricniin,  aid. 

liil  U)  tliU  fouiitiy, 


OP 


THE   WAR   OF   1812. 


CITAITKR  T. 


CAVAPA— STATF.  or  PARTIF.S— LOANS— MASS  ACIlUSIVrTS  OPmsiTION— LA  WRKNTKS 
Fl  NI'.IIAL— MARVL\NI)(»l'l'(»sri'IO\— LI'I'IIKU  MAKIINS  (  II AUCF.  IdCU  AM>  ,ir  II V 
— JliliOl';  I'OINDKX  TKHS  ClIAIiCF  IN  MISSISSII'IM— (;o\  KKNOIIS  OF  CONNKC  IK  I  T, 
IIIIODK  ISLAMi,  M;\V  IIA.MI'SIIIUK  AND  VKUMON  T— COV  F.IINOU  {  III  TTFNDKNS  Hi:- 
II  SAL  OF  MILiriA— MIAIil'S  UKSdLlTIONS  IN  CONCUIOSS  IIIFIlKn'ON— O  Ms  S 
liKSOLl  TIMNS  IN  TIIK  LF.iMSLAl'l  UK  OF  M  ASSACIII  SK  I' IS,  WHO  DIsCII  AIKJC  llll- 
SONKIIS  OF  WAU  FKO.M  TIIK  I'lUSONS  OF  THAT  S  I'A  Ti:— SHl'AH  A'I'K  :  '  XCF.  |(Il 
NKW  FNOLANI)  I'UOI'OSKI)  IN  HOS  I'ON— .lOlN  I'  COMMIT  IC.i;  OF  l.r.CISLA  i  IK  F  KK- 
I'OKT  VIOLKM'  MKASIIIF.S— DF.XI  Kirs  LK  I  TKIi— IlKII  UN  OF  TIIK  CAKItlSON  (F 
CIIICAOO  — NKVYFOINDLANI)  FISIIKUIKS  — MKXICO— SOI  III  AMKUICA  — Kl  UOI'KAN 
WAIU  AKK— KNCLAND— UKOKNI-S    SI'KKCIIKS    Id    I'AULI  AM  KN  I"  —  KNCLISII    M(- 

.  t'KSSKS— llKUNADorrK  AND  MoRKAU— Sl'KKCII  OK  TIIK  ULKK  OF  SLSSK.V— CAN- 
NING I'KOCLAI.MS  WAR  FOR  NAVAL  ASC'KNDANT. 


TiiK   capittil  was  tlio   oliscrvatdry  from 
.■xvliii;!!  events  iiiif!  iiiiiiressidiis  (if  the  yeiiis 
1812  ami  1H1I5  were  (l(^■<(•I■iln'(l  in  a  I'uriiier 
.Vdliuuo  of  tliis  liistorieal   skelcli.     Ah  the 
-War    went    on,    Aiiieriean     disasters    de- 
creased ;  and  the  year  lSl4,  to  lie  |ireseiiteii 
in  tiiis  vcdnine,  witli  severer  trials,  better 
fortunes,  and  adiniralde  exploits,  will  hrinjx 
jUs  liefore  it  ends  to  satisfactory  and  lastinj; 
jjioaee.     Surveyinj;    (he   state   of  this   ami 
Other  countries,  from  tiie  ehise  of  the  first 
.  _Fession  of  tiie  Tliirteeiilli  ('on<j;ress,  early 
in  August,  will  |)re|iare  us  for  the  n|ieniii;;' 
>'of  tlie  s(>('oiid  session  in  M^'eemlier,  iNl.'t. 
'.       llavinj;   imposed   a   toleralde   system   of 
—  Still  deferri'd  taxation,  and  made  otlier  in- 
aile(|uate  provision  for  war.  Con^jress  ad- 
^.journed,  liopin;^  that  the  future  would  he 
vi  less  disastrous  than    the  ]past,   the   whole 
^  government  llatterinf;;  tliems(dves  that  se- 
_j  verer  trials  of  repuljlican  institutions  mi^iit 
5  Le  avoiiled  ;  for  European  eonvietions  were 
J  much  more  prevalent  then  than  now,  wlien 
^  they  are  still   liy   no   means  extinct,  that 
4  rejiuhlics  are   incapalde  of  hostilities.     A 
%  government  liv  tho  tenure  of  jKipular  favor 
||.  cannot  save  itself,  in  war,  from  the  dis- 
i  credit  of  defeated  armii's  by  idian<;in>;  a 
<5  ministry :    but    Madison's    tidministratioii 
3  could  maintain  power  as  well  as  place  by 
f'  nothinj!;  loss  than  victory  or  peace.     iVv^h- 
;!  teen  ol*  tho  first  months  of  that  war  were 
unfortunately  sacrificed  to  hopes  of  peace 
■without  due  efforts  of  war.    Wheu  delusive 


hope  ceased,  strenuous  exertion  be^ran,  and 
as  usual,  fortune  favored  bravery,  even 
t!iouji;h  constrained  and  tardy.  In  tl;e 
ardor  of  his  temper  deidarin^  that  jieaie 
must  be  dictated  under  the  walls  of  t^iud  fc, 
.Mr.  riiiy  spoke  the  Viice  of  the  whiple  West, 
most  id'  the  South  and  Central  Stat(  s,  in 
short,  of  nearly  all  the  six  millions  of  siip- 
jiorters  of  the  administration  and  the  war. 
file  disjfraceful  failure  of  their  jjreati  -t 
Canadian  enterprise,  under  Wilkinson  and 
Hampton,  with  .Vrmstronjr's  iiersoiial  sup(  r- 
intendeiice  as  Secretary  of  A\  aron  the  scene 
of  action,  endinj;  with  the  still  more  i;:i;i.- 
minious  surprise  and  capture  of  Foit 
Nia^rara,  the  American  (Jibraltar,  extin- 
fiuishin;f  all  immediate  prospect  of  tie 
con((ueHt  (d'  Canada,  >!;avo  tho  ono-fnurth 
of  the  country  opposed  to  the  war  and  ad- 
ministration, repri'sented  in  Conjrress  liy 
one-third  of  the  mem1)ers  of  both  Houses, 
unexpected  and  jrreat  advantaj^e. 

War  of  coiKpiest  liy  that  invasion,  contra- 
distin;;uishin;j;  it  from  defensive  war,  was  a 
princijial  theme  of  tli(>  jieaco  l)ar(y,  while 
the  advocates  of  administration  arj^ued  its 
necessity  as  tlu>  best  means  of  defence.  As 
the  Camidas  must  be  ours  eventually,  our 
most  strenuous  endeavor.s  should  be  to 
realize,  it  was  saiil,  what  the  patriots  of 
the  Hevtdutioii  attempted  as  indispensable 
to  American  ascendency  and  continentivl 
security.  One  of  those  British  provinces 
embraces  aud  commands  the  outlet  uud 


18 


CANADA. 


[1813.     Obap.  I. 


w 

ontniuci',  slmrliiji,  'f  i'  i1'ii>s  not  i't)tir(i«(.i,  |  mir  iin'iim  <if  clTcctiii'^  it  wcro  ii«<  dlivinim 

till*  I'liniiiii'i'i I'  till- ;^ri'iit  Milli'V  111' till' Si.  I  !iM  liiTM  \MTi'  im|iiMrtiiiili|i'.     All  I'MTl'mii 

l.inM'i'lirr,    wliirh    ill    lii:i;;iLiti|ili'    ami    im-       •   ■    ■■ 

Iinrtiiii'f  ri)i'i'i'M|ioiii|.s  imrtli  (h  till'  viilji')' 
of  till'  MixNiMsi|i|ii,  Niiiitli.  (iui'lpi'i',  likii 
Ni'w  Orli'iiiis,  \,\  iiiitiirn  is  tin*  i>\\\y  v»'nti- 
Itiili'  from  si'ii  III'  II  j^i'i'iitiT  extent  of  eoiui- 
try  lliiiM   iinv  other   in   (lie   worM.     More 


of  iiritisji  liii-i'i'  ill  ('iiiiiiiiii  iiiiiMt  aiwiiAM  In; 
exti'i'inejv  liii/.iiriloiiH,  exji'iiiive  iiii<l  mi- 
eertiiiii ;  wliiTeii.s  ilistiiin'cx,  neas,  M'liMoim 
ami  teiii|)eMt.-4  were  mil'  iiiieoiii|iienilile  al- 
lien.     N'l)    exiieilition   or    iirniaiiieiit   IVoin 

V.J    •>■. >.<    ".... KlU'ope   eait    take    lilaee,   exempt    ill    TlM!   of 

than  ten   millions  inn^t  nltiniiitely  iniiahit  i  the  tvvehe  niotitlis,  t'roin  June  to  Ortoher, 

while  the  whole  twehc  months  are  at  our 
.'ommaml,  ami  winter,  wluii  nature  l>y 
IVci.Ht  ami  .-inow  tMrn|iil\i's  the  oartli,  wint'  r, 


till'  liuriler.s  of  the  St.  liaNvi'i'iiee,  iiml  ill 
Veliip  its  resiairee.s  ;  either  Krencli  or  Aine- 
rieaiiH,  nearly  all  averse  to  Kn^lish  ilo- 
liiinion,  ami  neeilin;;  only  Anierieaii  eoiin- 
tunanee  to  nianil'est  their  attaehim  iits  to 
the  I'niteil  States.  Tlie  |ieoiile  of  the  west, 
Ohio  ami  Kentneky  ami  .Nliehi;4an,  were 
chiiiioroiis  tor  the  iiieor|ioralioii  with  tlieni 
of  eontij^iioiis  regions  oserriin  liy  miniailie 
liarlmrians,  eontinnally  exeiteil  hy  ilu)  Kn- 
glisli  to  cheek  Anierieaii  extension  hy 
(Iremhinj;  the  frontiers  in  lilooil.  Caiiaila, 
if  not  part  of  the  I'niteil  States,  they  eoii- 
teinleil,  woiilil  soon  oppose  them  liy  form- 
ing with  New  Knj^laml  a  hostile  eomhina- 
tioii  to  inipeile  western  j^rowtli :  ami  the 
loiij;er  till!  prevention  of  that  eventuality 
was  put  oir,  the  more  ilitlieiilt  woiilil  it 
be  to  prevent  it  at  all.  With  Caiiailian 
neiv;lili"rs  ninler  British  sway,  there  is  no 
clianee  of  iiatiomil  iiorlh-eastern  enlarge- 
ment or  even  vicinal  trani|nillity  ;  hut  a 
hostile  kin^iloiii,  three  tlioiisaml  miles  otf, 
may  control  or  snmler  naturally  uiiiteil 
States,  eoloiii/.e  ami  moiiopoli/.i'  them,  aii- 
nihilatiiii;  ailvanta;;es  hy  nature  Ameri- 
can, repiililiean  ami  vast.  Facilities  ami 
tiilvanta;ies  of  trallic  ami  intercourse,  since 
consiileraMy  reali/.eil  without  national 
union    of    the    ojiposite    siiles    of    the    .St. 

|j;iwrence  ami  the   Lakes,  were  arj^iieil  hy  <  ...,,,^,-,,.  .,..,-,  ...-.  ....    .  ............  ,■..,. - 

far-si;ihteil  views,  short  of  the  present  ami  |  for  linndreils  ol'  miles  with   X'ermoiit  ami 

infinitely  short  of  the  imlnliitahle  future  of  |  .New  N'ork,  liv  the  lakes  with  Pennsylvania 

those   re;;ions.     >Vitliout    foresiiiht   of  the  j  anil  Ohio;    l'assamai|iiailily   I5:iy   ami   the 

pro(li;i;ioiis    traile,    travel,    ami    ;;rowtli    of  |  Kiver  .St.  ('mix,  ilisputeil  ;;ro!iml  lietwei'ti 

what    is    calleil    the    western    country,   hy    ""    " 

ra]iiil    tran^povtiitioii   of   men    ami    tliinj!;s 

from   New  Orleans  hy  ('liicaij;o,  .Siiiiiliisky, 

IJutfalo.    New    York    ami     Itoston,    ))rov- 

in;;   that    iinrestricteil   coinmiinicatioii    all 

throiii;li  ami  rmiml  North  America  is  the 

olivioiis    ilestiny  ami    inealculalile    ailvan- 

ta;;!'  of  its  free  iiiliahitants,  it  was  in  I.Sl;', 

urj^eil    as    fcasihle    liy  a    few    simjile    anil 

cheap  iinpi'oveiiii'nts,  thon^jh  railronils  were 

not  contemplateil   ami  canals  only  liopeil 

for,  to  I'oiivey  flour  ami  other  ]nviiluce  from 

the  Ohio  to  the  St.  L.iwrence  in  twenty-five 

days,  for  a  dollar  per  hiimlreil  wei^iht ;  ami 

troops  with  similar  celerity  ami  economy. 

The  ,;;overniiient  of  the  rnited  .States  could 

collect  an  army  of  a  hiindreil  thousand  men 

on  the   St.    Ijawreiice  in   a  fewweks:  so 


f  well  used,  is  the  liest  time  of  all.  Nu 
Kuropeaii  enterprise  could  reach  ('anada 
till  we  have  timely  notice  to  fiiistral"  it. 
Mritish  troops,  even  landed  at  tiiielicc,  en- 
counter immense  dilliculties  to  ^ct  as  far  as 
Montreal  or  Kiii).cstoii.  To  send  ten  thou- 
sand loads  of  pro\isioiis  or  anythiii;;'  else 
from  .Montreal  to  Kingston,  lietween  l>e- 
cenilier  and  March,  the  hest  if  le't  the  only 
time  for  it,  ri'i|uiri's  that  a  train  or  sled 
must  he  loaded  every  three  minutes  in 
every  day  during  i'i;^ht  hours,  which  is 
impossihfe.  (.Irdiiance,  harrack  or  naval 
stores  could  not  he  carried  in  tiim' ;  which 
III)  contractor  would  incur  the  ruin  of  iin- 
deriakiii;; ;  addin;;  space  as  another  of  our 
defences.  Napoleon's  army,  exierniinated 
liy  the  Hiissian  winter  of  ISl'J,  was  pleaded 
as  the  fate  of  any  Mnjflish  attempt  to  retake 
<'aiiada  after  Kiiif;stoii,  Montreal  and  (^lic- 
hee were  once  j^arrisoned  hy  American 
troops.  .Such  views  sometimes  einhraccd 
all  North  America,  not  conlined  to  the 
Canadas  alone,  and  New  IJrunswick  was 
indicated  as  the  most  certain  way  to  the 
conijiiest  of  Canada.    The  province  of  New 

Itrunswick,  adjoiiiin;r  Maine,  then  part  of 
.Nlassachiisctts  ;  the  Canadas  coiiterniinoiis 

ml 


.Maine  and  New  |{ruiis\vick;  the  (Iraiid 
I5ank  whence  American  lishermen  had 
gathered  their  j;ains  from  a  nursery  of 
British  seamen,  he;i;an  to  he  considered  as 
le;:;itiiiiate  pursuits  <d'  American  warfare; 
and  if  New  Kii^ilaml  had  eo-opi.'rateil  in 
I.S14,  would  have  lieeii  atteiiijited,  perad- 
veiitiire  taken  from  (ireat  Britain. 

Besides  the  Canadian  territorial  there 
was  also  an  ocean  view  of  the  Miliject,  j)re- 
seiited  chiefly  hy  the  farming;  and  planta- 
tion Americans,  foremost  in  wajiinj^  war 
for  maritime  rights.  How,  said  they,  can 
we  make  our  mij^hty  foe  most  sensihle  of 
.\mericaii  power?  Aot  on  the  ocean,  hut 
in  his  landed  possessions.  To  harass  I'lnc;- 
laiid  hy  ^•ea.  or  even  striking;  the  trident 
from  her  ;iTipe.  may  lower  the  British  crest, 
that  ti>uel)ec.  once  taken,  niij^ht  he  held  in  |  mortify  her  ]iride.  and  affect  indeed  the 
spite  of  Knj;lanil,  at  iiieonsiderahle  ex- '  Kuropean  seiitiinent  of  British  naval  sii]>o- 
jiense,  readily  estimated  and  provided.  }  riority.  Ft  is  no  il.uiht  theoretical  ami 
()nee  ours,  the  Canadas  would  he  forever  future  ailvaiitaj!;e,  hut  will  not  injure  like 
divorced   IVom    Briti.^h    sovereignty  ;    and  j  wresting  from  lier  grasji  most  of  the  vast 


lorritories 
iWord-li-h 
deep,    hut 
dinilniihiii 
iter  fiiriiu 
»n,ner  thill 
na\al  siipi 
to  decay, 
ther    ri-k, 

rols.     'file 

arc  too  -^iM 
for  the  pa 
future.  B 
ral  and  ce 

nrniies  oci 
liniiii.iry  ti 

States,   wi 

superior  p 
nation  to  v 

To    the.si 

oonipii'st  o 
nnl  added 
that  invasi 
at  any  rati 
eiiin  niedi: 
obh':  Mr. 
Conj;rcss 

that,  hut  II 

posed    lie;; 

that  it  sill 
knowleil  j;e 
Bomi-otVii  ia 
tied  resolv 
Canada,  l>i| 
Btniidiii!:;  a 
trcal  in  mi 
be,  said  th 
is  niiide,  SI 
for  hy  any 
Ani'-rican 
gross  inati 
noMiiii;  w 
ends. 

Ill  laiu:! 
rent  throu 
and  '12,  th 
that  the  Ca 
States.  Th 
eidercd  in 
of  the  tisli 
and  the  Nc 
When  l''os 
istcr.  the  c 
a8  the  hest 
the  Initei 
plare  of  r 
rof'ii'i'ees  ii 
tlic  hostile 
the  war. 
Camilla  an 
tility  extri 
the  wise,  I 
arirued,  th 
United  Stii 
Great  Brit 

The    ch: 
Providenc 


[1813.     Cap.  I.] 


CAXADA. 


10 


A'vro  !H  (iliviniii 

'.       .\ll    ('XiTliiill 

iiiiiMt  iilwnvN  1)0 
I'li^ivi-   imif  iiii- 

■*,     Ht'.lS,     M'ilMllll.i 

li'ii|ii[i|rriili|t>    111- 

iriniiini'iit  IVum 
.\i'i'|it  ill  li\i'  III" 
imi-  to  ( ti'tolii'r, 
iiitliH  arc  lit  niir 
lull  iiiituff'  l>y 
H'  ciirtli.  wiiili  1-, 
iiiK!  "I"  all.  No 
.  I'lMi  li  ('aiiiiil;i 
to  riu>trati'  it, 
at  (iui'licc,  en- 

I  til  ;;ct  as  t'lir  a.'^ 
si'imI  ti'ii   tliiiii- 

r  anytliiii;;  cl.so 
n,  hi'twfcii  !>(•- 
t  if  n>>l  tlio  only 

II  train  iir  hIciI 
I'i'o  iniiiiitivs  ill 
iciiirs,  which  is 
rrack  or  naval 
in  tiiiii> ;  wliich 
tiit>  niln  III'  iiu- 

I  iiniitli<>r  of  (iiir 
y,  cxti'miiiiati'il 
I  "J,  was  iilcailcil 
tlciii|it  til  ri'tiiki' 
iitrcal  anil  (jiii'- 
liy  Anirrican 
inics   I'lnlinn't'il 

lllllilllMl       to      till! 

IJrunswii'iv  wan 
ain  way  to  tlio 
iri)\  incc  of  \c\v 
I',  tlii'ii  ]iart  of 
s  (■nnti'i'iiiiiiiius 
I  N'tTiiidiit  iiinl 
I  i'l'iiiisylvanlii 
'  Hiy  ami  tin; 
:riiiniil  lii'twccn 
k :  till-  ({rami 
tislifrnion  jnid 
II  mirsi-ry  nf 
>  consiiliM'i'il  as 
rican  warlarc  ; 
cii-ojioriitiMl  ill 
i'iii|it('d,  jiuruil- 
I'itaiii. 
■rritorial   there 

111'  Mllljt'l't,    JUT- 

ii;;  ami  |ilanta- 

n    wa;,niii;  war 

saiil  thi'v,  fan 

list  si'iisililo  III' 

till'  ocean,  lint 

I'll  harass  I'lii^- 

11^  the   triileiit 

•  IJiitish  crest, 

i-t    imli'i'il   the 

>li  naval  sniio- 

tieuretical   and 

lilt  iiijnro  like 

ost  yf  the  vast 


territories  held  on  tliis  continent.  The 
■Wiiril-li'h  has  stnii'/  lln'  l.iNiallian  ol'the 
deep,    lint    wiiliiiiii    iji'itroyiii;^,    nr    iiiiich 

diluini-illill'.;  his  pli'sellt  |inWers.      'I'lie  lllnn- 

■ter  riii'ioii-lv  la^lii's  the  wum's,  niore  in 
anijcr  ihan  iVniu  injnrv  "V  siill'iiiii;;.  His 
n8\al  sii|perii.rity  is  iiinleriniiicil ;  l.'inc  it 
to  decay,  whih'oiir  marine,  withmit  I'lir- 
tht'r  ri^k,  repuses  on  its  ^iloriniis  Ian- 
rols.  The  naval  ineiins  of  the  I'nited  .Stales 
arc  till)  small  to  ciim|iier  either  indemnity 
for  the  past,  or  i'oiii|ilete  security  fur  the 
future.  Uritish  American  suil  is  (he  initii- 
ral  and  certain  element  iit'lmth.  .\mericaii 
armies  occniiyine;  jlritish  territnries  pre- 
lltniiiary  to  tlieir  aiiiie\ation  tn  the  I'nited 
Stiites,  would  make(ire:it  Britain  t'ei'i  the 
BUperiiir  power  of  a  desjiised  and  iiijered 
natiiiii  to  redress  its  wron;;s. 

I'll  these  reasons  fur  |iersi'vi'rin;^  in  the 
COliipiest  of  raiiailii.  the  e;ii\ eriimeiit  jour- 
nal added  aiiuther.  .\t  all  times  npposiii;; 
that  invasion,  the  peace  party  insisted  that 
atiiiiv  rate  diiiini!;  the  pendiim  oj' the  Hns- 
Biaii  mediation,  it  was  especially  nninstili- 
able ;  Mr.  (lastnii  iind  other  iiienilierM  of 
Coiii^i'i'ss  iiroposini;  to  siispeml  nut  only 
that,  Init  ail  other  liusliliiies  |ieiiilin;;  sup- 
posed iiesiiitiatioii.  i'riitestin;;.  of  course, 
thiit  it  spoke  without  authority,  or  even 
knowdeil^e  of  the  \  lews  of  ;;overiinieiit,  the 
BOini-idVn  ial  origan  diMil'^ed  not  only  a  set- 
tled resolve  to  iirosecute  the  invasiuii  of 
Canada,  luit  to  Imld  it  if  taki'ii,  iiotwith- 
Btandiiin  iind  after  peace,  ,*!u|ipiise  Mon- 
treal in  our  piissessieu,  us  we  trust  it  will 
be,  said  the  intellitjeiicer,  whenever  Jieace 
is  niiUle,  surely  that  case  will  lie  provided 
for  liy  any  ti'eaty  that  may  he  made.  The 
Aniei'ican  commissioners  will  he  ^xuilty  ol' 
gross  in-ilteiiiiiiu  not  to  prii\ide  for  our 
holdiii''    whatever    Wi(   imssess    when    war 


em  I 


]n  Mnnliind,  there  was  an  oiiinion  cur- 
rent throujiliout  the  years  ISd'.i.  'IH,  'Ij, 
and  '\'2,  that  it  wuiild  lie  lietterfor  Kiieilami 
that  theCaiiailassliiiiild  lieluii^to the  rnileil 
States.   The  I  pies  t  ion,  it  is  lielieved,  wascoii- 

Bidered  in  council,  hut  opposi'd  oii  ac iiit 

of  the  tisheries,  the  West  India  supplies, 
and  the  Xewfonmlland  nurscvy  f.ir  seamen. 
When  Foster  was  Mppoin'.ed  I'ritish  min- 
ister, the  cession  of  Canada  was  snjr^jcsted 
aH  the  hest  means  id' avoidin;;;  collision  with 
the  I'nited  .States,  Nova  Scotia  \>as  the 
place  of  rcfiijie  of  many  of  the  American 
rcfu'^'ces  in  the  I'cvolution,  who  cherished 
the  lioslile  I'eeline-  which  teiiiied  to  pn  duce 
the  war.  They  and  their  desi-endants  in 
Ciiuada  and  l''.n;::laiiil,  planted  seeds  of  hos- 
tility extremely  jiitteiand  vindictive.  15ut 
the  wise,  provident,  and  pacific  of  I'lnehind 
arjrued,  that  peace  and  cuiumerce  with  tin; 
United  Stales  would  he  more  prnlitalile  for 
Great  Uritain  than  Canada  or  >iova  Scotia. 

The  chances  id"  war  liy  an  overriilin^ 
Providence  disappointed  nil  Aie.ericaa  and 


llritish  erpeetatiiins  of  territorial  eonipie-t, 

and   pi'inted   pen m    the    hasis  e|    mere 

cessation   of  hostilities,  with  their  eiM-es. 

if,  liV  the  llli  possidetis,  i'lliijl  llld  expected 
to  keep  New  (  hleaiis,  and  the  I'llifcd  St  lien 
hoped  to  ;;et  (^ueliec,   Imfh  of  their  ^M'calest 

militarv  enterpiises,  and  all  territoiiid  a;^- 
^raiidi/.enieut.  mir-  north,  and  iheir-i  -oiilli, 
lerhaps  forliinntely  tailed.  In  this  volume, 
ittle  will  he  said  of  the  iie;.'otiations  and 
their  principles  terminutin'.;  in  the  treaty  of 
(iheiit.  jiiit  it  may  he  premised  here,  that 
since  that  second  pacijicalii'ii.  two  utliei* 
teriitorial  treaties  withdieat  IJiitain  prove, 
as  every  treaty  with  her  docs,  that  this 
country'  is  lietter  matched  with  that  in 
arms,  than  its  jj;(i\ernnieiit  in  iieM.,t(iiiions. 
The  I'liiteil  Stales,  from  the  peace  (if  Inde- 
pendence in  17'"^'>,  iidiievcd  hy  wiir,  iiiul 
merely  iickiiow  lei|;red  hy  treaty,  have  al- 
ways lost  hy  treaty,  hut  never  hy  war  with 
Kn^laiid,  l>y  the  .Maine  treaty  we  sni- 
rendered  neiie  of  old  .Massachuse||.i  ihiin 
the  Kn;;lish  coui|Uered  in  |Sl  |;  and  hy  the 
treiltV  of  (•reiliill  what  has  heell  ,iiistlv 
callei'l  the  New  l'In;;land,  that  is  the  nmri- 
time  part,  of  Oreiion:  on  hotli  occiisions,  un- 
der that  dread  of  war  with  Miiij,land, if  which 
the  occurrence  is  iinprohahlc,  and  sulhi- 
in!j;s  exa;i:;erateil.  That  unfounded  appre- 
hension, haunting;  the  Atlantic  .Stales,  hy 
incousidei'ite  deprecation  of  war,  is  Knj;;- 
land's  e;|.c,itest  .\merican  iiower.  I.esH 
than  live  hundred  thousand  i>riti;-h  siih- 
jects,  scattered  over  North  America  in 
|S|;!-1  I,  with  all  their  European  reinforce- 
ments, could  not  withstand  ei^rlit  millions 
of  Americans,  if  duly  marshalled  for  con- 
llict  and  the  ceinpiest,  not  of  Canada  only, 
hut  all  i'nifish  .Vmerica,  \\  itli  the  nioro 
than  twenty  millions  at  pre-euj,  mai'ly 
eipial  to  the  popul.iiien  of  (lieat  liiitriin, 
the  appridiensioii  is  as  injiirioiis  as  humili- 
iitin;r.  that  on  this  continent,  tiiis  country 
cannot  co]ie  with  Knirland,  l';'ienal  as- 
surance of  the  contrary,  in  spite  of  a  por- 
tion of  New  Kiiirland  niost  interested  and 
aide  to  reali/.e  it  hy  Hni;lish  expulsinn 
from  America,  he!;an  to  he  iinpi'essed  hy 
the  events  of  ]^\l,  when  Kiiiiland.  siid- 
dciilv  aliandiinin;!  extensive  invasion  with 
proclaimed  violations  of  civilized  warfare, 
and  corres|iondin,u;  enormity  of  comlitlons 
of  peace,  hy  concessions  |)revented  aiio- 
I  tlier  cauipaie'ii,  whiidi  niijrht  Iiave  repaid 
I  all  the  ,\merican  cost  and  sui)'erini:;s  of  the 
I  euntest,  hy  North  ^\  estern  and,  perha]'S, 
j  North  Kastern  annexations  to  the  I'nited 
i  States;  leav  in;j;  them,  indeed,  with  the  he- 
I  nelicial  honors  of  defensive,  hut  without 
i  w  hat  mi;;ht  have  heen  thi!  still  .greater  tul- 
I  vantajtes  of  olVeiisive  war, 

'I'l'i!  niiinhers  and  /eal  of  the  war's  sup- 
porters increased  with  its  proij;ress.  Mis- 
i"'  rtuiies  and  trials  did  not  (liniini-^h  or  coed 
ileep-rootod  ])opular  feelinirs,  eventually 
cultivj'.ted  by  triumph.      The  eleetiouH  of 


1 


20 


STATE  OF  PArvTIES. 


[1813.      Ohap.  I.] 


I8I0,  lict\TOon  tho  first  and  second  sessions  I 
<)1'  C'oiiiiiT'ss,  were  fjivdi'iilild  to  tlic  alniin- ! 
istiatiiiii.  I'iirty  iintii;^oni»ni  !inil  fici'i'tiity 
iinlccd  aiiiiiucntcil,  as  lui.^tilitics  lioiamo 
cxaicrliutt'il:  hut  tlui  jkiHs  inilicatcd,  fji'uc- 
rallv,  tliat  tlio  la-art  oi'  tlie  American  pco- 
lile  was  f(pr  war.  Now  York,  tlio  principal 
•lioatro  (ifiiostiiitii's,  anil  line  of  separation 
)  •  liweeii  the  non-conihatant  Kastcrn  States 
ami  those  of  tho  centr(>,  west,  and  sdwth, 
^11  inclined  for  war,  and  that  tiy  Canadian 
('onipiest — \ew  York  was,  as  since,  called 
from  the  nunihers  and  wealth  of  her  peo- 
ple, heroomnierco  and  improvements,  then 
the  llnipiro  State,  heeanse  the  cotitest  and, 

1)erhaps,  tin;  L'nion  d(>pendedon  her  fidelity. 
jy  re-electinp;(iovernor  Tompkins,  tlie  peo- 
ple not  only  seconded  his  ard(n'  for  the  war, 
l)nt  in  etVect  instructed  him  to  say  to  New 
En,!ji;land   emphatically,   disunion   goes  no 
fiirtiier  than  your  own  hosiers;  here  it  will 
l»e  crushed.    Vir^-inia,  liy  her  state  authori- 
ties and  delegations  in  Congress,  supported 
the  war  with  energy.     I'eni'.sylvania  stood 
forth  witli  all  her  twenty-two  members  of 
Congress  and  both  Senators  unanimous  fir 
war,  otiensivo  and  df''j;isive:  and  nearly  to 
a  man  for  the  administration  as  well  as  fir 
the  war.     Of  idnciy-tive  memliers    in    the 
House  of   Keprescntatives   of    that  Stat(>, 
eighty-five  were  of  that  adherence,  includ- 
ing the  ni(!tropolitan  city  of  I'hiladidphia, 
and   all  but  three    counties  of  the  whole 
State,  which  three  counties  sent  *inly  ten 
memliers  to  the  State  House  of  Jlepresenta- 
tives.      The   only  fi.'deralist   in    ('ougress, 
John  (lloninger,  (dected  by  a  majority  of 
three  hundred  votes  to  represei>.t  tiie  mid- 
land CJcrnnui  counties  of  Eancaster,  Dau- 
phin, and  Lebanon,  having  v<iteii  against 
the  taxes  and  resigned,  Eilw.ird  Crouch,  of 
tho    war   and    administration     party,    was 
chosen  to  his  place  by  a  majority  of  sev(>n- 
teen  hundred.     .Michael  Leili.  a  war  Sena- 
tor, but  opposed  to  Madlsou's   aduiinisti'a- 
tion,   venturing   to    exchange    his    seat    in 
the  Senate  for  tho  place  of  I'ostmastei   at 
Philadeliihla,    by  ajijiointment   of  (iideon 
(Jranger,  the   l*ostmaster-<ieneral,  also  un- 
friendly to  .^Iadislln's  administration.  (Iran- 
ger  was  removed,  and  the  warlike  (iovernor 
of  Ohio,  Iti'curn  tJoimthtm  ."\leigs.  jnu  in  hi-^ 
place;  I/'lb  was  rem<ived.  and  Dallas' son- 
in-law,  liiclnu'd  IJache,  put  in    his  pl,ic(> ; 
and  Jonathan  iJolierts,  an  active  member 
of  the  House  of  l\e])resentatives,  earnestly 
sujiporting  the  war  and  tiie  administration, 
•was  elected  to  succeed   !,eib  in  tlie  Senate, 
'i'he  war  and  Madi-m's  adininistratioii.  sus- 
tained by  New  Vor'v,  Niri^inia.  and   i'eun- 


l^ranch,  by  a  largo  ma)ority,  eensured  T.i- 
vid  St<ine,  one  of  tiieir  Senators  iti  Congress, 
for  backwardness  to  se<'ond  the  admiuistra- 
tiiin.    Of  second  i';ink  States,  Massachusetts 
was  the  disiiffected  one,  by  a  hirge  majority 
opposed  to  the  federal  administration,  but 
not  to  the  ext(>!it  of  tlui  violent,  if  not  trea- 
sonalile  opjiosition.  imputed  by  John  (iuincy 
Adams  to  certain  federalists  there.     Of  tho 
third    rank  Stat»>s,  Ohio,  Tennessee,   and 
Oeorgia,   were    unanimous  for    war,    and 
J(>rsey  joined  them  in  lSl;5;  to  whi<h  Con- 
neeticnt  ami  Maryland  v.H-re  opposed  ;  Con- 
necticut, by  a  unanimous  delegation  sent 
to  Congress  bj'  State  vote;    Maryland  in 
her  State  government,  liut  not  in  Congress, 
where  the  members  were   chosen  by  dis- 
tricts.  "N'ermont  and  Xew  Hamjishire,  also 
tliird  rank  States,  nearly  balanced  in  votes, 
wore  represented  in  Congress,  Yormont  by 
war,  Xew  Hampshire  by  peace  miMubers. 
all  chos('n  by  general  ticket.     Of  th(>  fourth 
rank   States,   Rhode  Island  and  l)idiiwari' 
were  repr(\scnted  in  both  brancdies  ni'  Con- 
gr(>ss  by  piM^o,  and  Louisiana  by  war  mem- 
bers.    'J'luis,  twelve  States  supported,  four 
or  five  o])posed.  war,  for  whicli  there  were 
at  least  live  or  six  millions  of  the  people  to 
between  one  iind  two  millions,  if  so  many, 
against  it.     IMstrict,  instea'!  of  State  (dcc- 
tions,  would  have  divided  the  (hdegations 
in  Con,gress  from  Connecticut,  New  lliimp- 
shire,  and    Yermont,    whitdi  were    nnani- 
UKHis,  the  two  former  against,  the  latter  for 
war.     The  votes  and  pojiulation  of  Ithode 
Island  and  Hidawan^  were  not  important, 
except  liy  their  disproportionate  weight  in 
the  Senate,  while  opjiosition,  as  nsiuil,  in- 
creased in  violence  as  it  decreased  in  nnm- 
liers,  po]inlarit,v,  and  strength.  Under  every 
discouragement,  however,  the  war  spirit  iirc- 
(lominated.     The  martial  west,  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky, ami  'i'ennessee,  \vere   all  in   arm-;, 
ready  to  martdi   anywhere,    to  wag(>    war 
oll'ensivi*  as  W(dl  as  defensive.     More  than 
seventeen    thousand    volunteers    mardicd 
from  I'lcntucky  alone.     A\'as  not  their  pa- 
triotism wis(!r  than  the  disloyrdty,  iit  once 
calculating  and   passionate,  of  the    East? 
Referred  to  timt  sellish  test  by  whi(di  all 
I  men  n\ust  be  tri(>d,  war.  witli  its  expendi- 
j  tures,  was  even  more  lucrativi^  than  sullen 
I  refusal   to  slie.ri'  its   trophies    and   euiolu- 
i  ments.      An     Eastern    federal    meridiant, 
I  writing  in  l"*!.'!,  from  L"xiugtou,  K(>ntucky, 
1  to  Boston,  stilted  in  a  published  letter — 
I      "  I  Iind,  in  this  country,  an  (Mitire  reverse 
I  of  New    Kiiglaiid   in    regard    to  business. 
i  ilcre   there!   is  no  com|'etition,  and  every- 
i  lliing  brisk   and    pn.lilablc.     The  war,  so 
s^ylviinia,  relied  on  the  tliree  lir.^i  raniv  Slates  j  I'-ir  IVom  dcjivessing  the  peoph^  el'  the  ^\'e>■t 


.i\crMmeiits  and 
11  de.     (»r  Stall 


with  all  br.incl;es  of  th 'jr 

large  majorities  of  th"ir  ]      ,...        .     

of  tho  second  rank,  Kentucky  and  South 
Carolina  were  for  the  war  ami  government 
unanimously,  North  Carolina  nearly  so: 
wliosc  State  Seuule,  uu  the  luotiou  of  John 


ern  Slates,  is  making  the  greater  propor- 
tion of  theiu  riidi.  To  this  you  may  attri- 
bute a  part  <if  their  jiatrioiism,  although  to 
do  them  justice,  they  are  tlie  most  i;atr:oti<' 
jK^ople  I  have  ever  seen  or  heard  of.  Wiieii 
Governor  Shelby  issued  his  late  proclama- 


tion for 
those  will 
ers  with 

indepeiid 

res|iectati 
of  lil'ty  yi' 
with  IM  e 
ing   their 
Tills   sing 
astoni-hii 
ter  have, 
and    some 
things    to 
madness- 
it  really  i: 
ism,   sliou 
United  St 
CCssfiiUy 
France  ce 
a  few  opp 
to  our  CI 
termed 
New  Engl 
in  my  opi 
although 
the  merch 
teach  (uir 
independi 
will  indue 
profitable 
otherwise 
manv  veai 
With  su 
irg  Secreti 
fecting  an 
and  a  hall 
Congress 
persons  of 
Pickering 
Alexandei 
licaii  new 
gross,  will 


fl813.      Chap.  I.] 


LOAN'S. 

— • — 


21 


y,  consurod  T.i- 

tors  ill  t'oii;;rcss, 
tlic  iuliiiiiiistrii- 
S  iMiissiiclnisctrs 
a  l;ir^(<  inajoi'ity 
linistriitidTi,  Imt 
lent,  if  not  trca- 
liyJi)iin(^iiii)('v 
s  there.     Of  tho 
roiiiH'ssoo,   and 
for    ^vnr,    and 
;  to  wliicli  Ccin- 
n  oii|i()S('d  ;  (..'iin- 
dolc^ration  sent 
;   Maryliind  in 
lot  in  Conj^ross, 
ciioscn   liy  (lis- 
fanipsliire,  also 
lanced  in  votes, 
'ss,  A'orinont  by 
icac.'  niiMiilievs. 
.     Of  the  fourth 
and  l*ehi\\;u-e 
ranelies  (d'  (_'oii- 
iia  liy -war  meiu- 
siipjiorted,  four 
ii<-li  tliere  Avere 
if  the  people  to 
ms,  if  so  many, 
d  of  State  (dc'e- 
tho  (hdegatinns 
ut,  Now  llrjnp- 
ii  were    iinani- 
st,  the  latter  for 
ation  (d"  Jthodo 
not  important, 
nat((  weiglit  in 
1,  as  usual,  iu- 
'eas(»d  in  num- 
1.   liiiler every 
Mvar  spirit  ]in'- 
st,  Ohio,  Ken- 
ail  in  arms, 
to  wajjc   war 
L'.     More  than 
cers    maiehed 
i  not  their  p:i- 
>yalty,  at  oute 
of  tlie   Kiist? 
t  liv  which  all 
tit  Its  (>xpeudi- 
ve  tiuin  suilea 
's    and   puiohi- 
ral    mcrihant, 
ton,  Kentucky, 
hcl  h'tter—  ' 
1  euiire  reverso 
to  liusiness. 
m,  and  every- 
'i'h(!  war,  .-0 
el' the  Wo>-t- 
reiiter  jirojMir- 
you  m:\y  attfi- 
m,  altlioUi;li  to 
most  patr'otii' 
'ardid'.    Wlicn 
lute  proclama- 


tion for  voluntoors,  a  liirjro  proportion  of  |  and   with  fiveat  suli'^tantial    resources    of 


those  who  marched,  were  respectalde  i;irm- 
ers  with  hiri.re  possessions — many  entir(dy 
independent  in  jiroperty,  leavin;;' larLic  and 
resiicctaM(H'amilies :  and  some  at  tlie  aj;e 


capital,  in  land,  industry,  and  other  na- 
lioiiiil  wealth,  liut  without  artilici,il  cicdit. 
with  ditHculty  horrowi  il  a.hout  a  miliiiin  and 
a  half  jiounds  storlinj;  (S7.o(i(i,(»ll()),  Kn;;- 
of  iiftv  year^  and  a  ;^reat  nmiiy  over  forty,  i  laml,  eiioriiiously  taxed  and  indehted,  hy 
■witii  no  e.Niieetations  id' henefit  or  jiay,  lind- 1  the  niaijic  of  mere  credit  and  eutliu.'-iasn!. 
in;;'  tlndr  own  horses  ami  oouipments. —  ;  wliicji  are  both  no  more  thiin  puldic  c<inti- 
Tliis  sinirular  ]i!»triotism  is  <i'lorion3  and  ]  donee,  foun  led,  indeed,  on  taxation,  had 
astonishiii!;'.  ]\lany  men  of  tho  first  (diarae-  j  no  difficulty  in  horrowin;;;  one  hundred  and 
ter  have,  in  formcr'campai;!;ns,  volunteered.  [  thirty  millions  of  dollars  (  C27,ti<"l.<f(lO  ster- 


and  soino  have  lost  their  lives.  'J'iiese 
thiii.iis  to  a  New  En^landman  look  I'ko 
madiK'ss — here  it  is  oonsidorod  i;;lorious,  as 
it  really  is.  With  such  ardor  and  patriot- 
ism, should  it  pervade  all  ranks  of  the 
Unitoil  States,  our  covintrv  could  war  suc- 


linn'j.  In  neither  country  was  any  nu>ney 
paid  or  received  in  th<'-^e  transactiiiiis.  In 
Kn,<flan(l  payment  was  made  to  create  and 
found  a  new  stock  hy  transferof  other  stocks 
to  tho  sinkini;  fund,  and  liy  exchei|uer 
bills  and  liank  n(des.     'J'he  Bank  of  Kn<r- 


ccssfully  ajiiainst  all  the  forces  pjUgland  and  !  land  had  then  been   dealinj^   by  law  for 

France  could  briiij:  a»ainst  us.     Hero  are 

a  few  opposers  to  the  war.  l)ut  no  enemies 

to  our  country;  Ave  hav(;  a  few  who  are 

teriiieil    I'ederalists,    but  not  like  those  of  j  pay  any  money  at  all,  but  bank  notes  sub 

New  Enirlaud.     1  am  considerablj-  altered  :  stituted.  and  by  Act  of  I'arliament  made 

in  my  opinions  of  the  effect  of  the  war,  ami    lej^al  tender  as  money.    Thoujih  less  deprc- 


sixteen  years  under  what  is  called  suspen- 
sion of  cash  or  s])ecie  ]iayiiients  ;  which  is 
stoppage  or  bankruptcy  fniin  inability  to 


although  I  believe  it  will  bo  injurious  to 
the  merchants  cm  the  seaboanl,  yet  it  will 
teaidi  our  countrymen  that  they  are  more 


ciated  than  American  contineuttil  money 
during  the  Revolution,  yet  the  ]?aiik  of 
Kngland  jiaper.by  legal  inconvej'tibility  into 


independent  than  was  ever  considered  ;  and  1  eoin,wasinlSl;5inuclim(U'e  depreciated  than 
•will  induce  men  of  enterprise  to  engage  in  j  the  national  stocks,  treasury  notes,  or  notes 
profitable  branches  of  nninufacttiring,  that  I  (d"  respectable  State  banks  of  the  United 
otherwise  would  not  have  been  known  fori  States  then,  or  at  any  time  during  the  war 
matiy  years  to  come."  (»f  1812.     The  IJank  of  Kngland  circulation 

AVitli  such  popular  and  State  support,  act-  in  ISl.'!  was  forty-three  millions,  risen  from 
ingSecretary  .Jones  succeeded  in  lISlli  in  of- 1  twelve  millions  in  ISO?  ;  and  the  worth  of 
fecting  another  small  loan,  seven  millitins  |  its  notes  dejuMH'iated  in  that  ]>roportion, 
and  a  half  of  dollars,  authorized  by  Act  of  I  which  depreciation  exceeded  one-third  of 
Congress  in  August  of  that  year.     Many    their  coin  and  former  value.     A  one  pouiul 

fersons  of  influence  and  authority,  Tim<ithy  j  note,  by  Act  of  Parliament,  deidared  good 
'ickering  by  newspajier  publications,  and  j  for  twenty  shillings  sterling,  would  not  buy 
Alexander  Hanson  in  his  Federal  Jtejiub-  j  as  much  as  three  d(dlars,  wlii(di  were  valued 
lican  news))aper,  both  members  of  Con- '  at  four  shillings  and  six|i(>nce  eaidi ;  that  is, 
gross,  with  several  other  presses,  declared  ;  tin;  Hank  (d"  Kngland  iioti^  was  worth  only 
it  a  tluty  of  patriotism  to  defeat  the  (<o- '  fourteen  shillings  and  six)ience,  while  the 
vernment  ))y  destroying  its  credit,  and  j  didlar  in  ISl.'J  was  advanced  to  six  shillings 
nrgeil  that  national  dejits  contracted  for  i  and  ninepeiice.  One  ounce  of  Portuguese 
80  unjust  a  war  should  not  be  jiaid.  The  gold,  worth  in  the  Pnited  States  seventeen 
State  rate  of  int(>rest,  seven  yier  cent,  in  i  dollarsandsixty  cents, wasworth  in  Kngland 
two  States  and  eight  in  a  third,  together  i  twenty-three  dollars  and  thirty -one  cents, 
with  brokers  de]ireciating  loans  for  specu- i  or  five  pounds  and  five  shillings  sterling, 
lation  and  n\erchants  from  party  opposition,  I  So  that  forty  per  cent,  advance  was  the 
conflicted  with  a  national  loan  at  six  jier ;  medium  Kiiglisli  valuiM)r  produetivenoss  of 
cent.  Moreover,  the  taxes  laid  did  not  go  i  gold  or  silver  compared  with  Bank  of  Kng- 
into  operation  till  the  beginning  of  the  next  i  land  notes.  To  raise  twenty-seven  millions, 
year,   1S14.     Without  taxation   or  victory  j  therefori>,  the  amount  (d"  the  Kniidish  loan 


the  hist  measure  of  loomentary  fiscal  relief 
Wa-^  with  difliculty  ai'Com])lished. 

'file  sums  borrowed  in  the  I'uited  vStates 
and  Knjiland  that  year  for  hostilities  were 


cd'  ISl-'i,  the  liritish  (lovernment  had  to  give 
forty-five  millions  nine  hundred  thousand 
]iounds  sterling:  twenty-nine  millions  si>ven 
iiutiilred  thousand  pounds  id' which,  at  three 


in  _remarkal)le  contrast  as  to  amount  and  !  jier  ci'iit.,  and  sixteen  millions  two  hundred 
facility  of  obtaining  them:  resembling  |  thousand  jiounds  at  four  per  cent.,  pro- 
eaidi  other  only  in  both  being  dearly  pur-i  ducing  together  an  interest  of  one  million 
chased,  owing  to  their  payment  in  bank  i  five  humlred  and  twenty-nine  thousand 
notes  of  dejtre(dated  paper,  unconvertilile  j  pounds  for  the  wlnde  sum  borrowed,  which 
Into  g(dd  or  silver.  Napoleon's  immense'  was  nominally  something  less  than  six  ]iei' 
contest  of  his  Hnal  year  was  maintained  i  cent,  ou  tiie  money  raiseil  by  the  loan.  But; 
without  loans  and  on  a  coin  basis.  While!  adding  the  bonus!  ]iremiunis,  and  discount 
the  United  States,  almost  freo  from  debt,  |  allowed,  reduced  the  twenty-seven  niillious 


OPrOSITION  OF  MASSACIirSETTS. 

— • — 


[1813, 


Chap.  I. 


■iii 


Fiippci^ci]  t(ilio1iorrn-wP(l  t()lor.,<tlian  twenty- 1  (if  tlio  Stato  of  Massacliusotts  was  solemn 
five  iiiiiUdns,  iiinl  raised  the  interest  aliove    and  more  forniidalile. 

six  [lereeiit.  if  tin:  L'nited  States  loan  liad  'I'iie  Le;rislatiire  of  tlie  State  appointed  a 
l)een  pavaldt!  in  coin,  as  constitntionally  it  joint  eornmittee  of  liotii  Houses,  wiio  foildw- 
must  at  least  liosiip)iose(l  toli(>andsli(>uld  lie,  \  eil  up  Mr.  (iiiiney's  resolution  of  the  liMli 
ei;;lileen  inillionsoi' American  money  would  ,  •hine,  ISKl,  a.irainst  rejoii-injr  for  naval  \'u- 
1)(!  ('(pial  to.  and  ]iay  for  the  twenty-seven  {  tories,  hy  an  official  letter  of  the  IStli  of  that 
millions  of  Kn};lish  loan,  for  which  f(»rty-live  [  month,  addressed  totien.  "Win.  Kin;;,  iiuniir- 
jnilli(!ns  were  fiiven  to  fret  twenty-live  and  a  |in<r  ■\vheth(!r  he  had  accepted  any  a^iency 
lialf  n'llions  into  the  exi'hci(uer.     I'ln^Kn;;'-    or  concern  under  the  l'nited  States,  or  re- 


lish iiaerestwas  thus  really  nine  }iercent., 
a  larjier  rate  tlian  was  ever  paid  liy  (lovern- 
ment  in  the  L'nited  States.  In  iSO;!,  when 
Enixland  renewed  the  war  with  France,  the 
interest  actually  ]iaid  siddom  exceeded  live 
per  cent,  on  Knjilish  loans  of  money. 

Su(di  were  some  of  the  retilities  of  the 
nivstiM'ies  of  finance  in  both  countries,  when 
the  En<;lish  boast  and  well-nijrh  universal 
belief  was  that  the  credit  of  England  was 


eeived  from  them  any  arms  or  munitions  df 
war  by  order  of  th(!  U.  States  Executive.  Our 
commission  is  accompanied  with  authority  III 
send  for  person.s  and  papers,  addeil  Samuel 
I'utnam,  actiufj;  chairinap  of  the  joint  com- 
mittee, expcutinfj  a  le<iislative  resolution  to 
punish  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  volun- 
teers for  taking  up  arms  under  the  nationiil 
ginernment  to  defend  their  homesteads 
from  invasicm.     On  the  21st  of  dune.  ll^I.l, 


inexhaustible,  as  it  seemed  to  be;  and  that    from  Bath  in  Maine,  (ieneral  Kinfi;  rcpliec 


the  l'nited  States  were  without  almost  any 
credit  at  all.  as  was  also  the  case.  In  IHll. 
when  American  triumphs  over  discredit 
and  jjovernmental  dread  of  taxation  accom- 
panied those  ov(M'  military  indiscipline  and 
inoxperience.it  became  evident  that  in  funds 
as  w(dl  as  arms  the  United  States  were 
capable  of  much  greater  exertion,  and  then 
peace  soon  followed  such  manifestations. 


The  volunteers  who  tendered  their  ser- 
vices to  the  President  for  the  defence  of 
their  country  were  accepted  and  or<i;aniy.e(l. 
and  have  been  furnished  with  arms  on  »]•■ 
plication  to  the  proper  officer  of  the  f;(>ner:il 
government.  fSoon  after  the  coiniiK  ncc- 
ment  (d"  the  present  Avar,  when  the  services 
of  the  detached  militia  urrc  vit/i/nld  Jhnii 
the   (jcni'rtil  f/drrnuiiciif,   I    aided    the    war 


The  price  of  brea<l  in  England  increased  :  department  in  organizing  such  a  V(dunt(M'v 
from  a  sliilling  to  twenty  )ience  in  IHI'2,  '  corps  as  was  considered  necessary  for  tlif 
and  the  value  of  the  potind  sterling  in  (|uar-  (lefenco  of  this  district.  After  two  regi- 
tern  loaves  decreiised  from  twenty  shillings  ■  ments  were  organized,  the  services  of  siuli 
to  twelve;  tlie  wages  (d"  husbandry  labor  |  a  number  of  vidunteercoini)anies  more  wen' 
incroasetl  from  twelve  to  fiftei'ii  shillings  ;  ,  offered  as  would  have  made  three  other  re- 
the  poor  taxes  from  about  six  millions  to  :  giinents  if  necessary.  As  citizen  of  tln' 
about  sixteen  and  a  half  millions  of  pounds  j  rnite<l  States  I  have  duties  to  perform  a- 
sterling,  and  the  number  of  paupers  from  '  well  as  citizen  of  the  State,  in  this  just  ami 
about  twelve  hundred  thousand  to  more  n(>cessarv  war."  Of  th(>  thn  e  brothers,  di:^- 
than  two  millions:  clfects  of  war,  luxury,  tinguishe(l  in  the  war,  liufus  King  was  ;i 
and  unrepresentative  government,  from  statesmanlike  leader  in  th(>  Semite,  opposeil 
whicdi  the  rnit(>d  Statics  were  mostly  free,  I  to  INIadison's  administration  ;  his  hall"  lac- 
wdiile  they  were  gnawing  night  and  day  :  ther,  Cyrus,  one  oi'  its  most  violent  oppn- 
at  the  jianqiered  entrails  of  (ireat  Urltain.  \  nents  in  the  House  of  lie|iresentatives  ;  ami 
Yet  Dritisii  loans  wcirc  in  universal  favor,  |  William,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  im- 
nnd  American  disparaged  with  unscrupu- 1  tic,  its  decided  su))iinrter. 
lous  opposition,  of  which  a  single  instance  !  That  correspondence  was  only  one  i.f 
lu-iy  suffice  to  manifest  the  spirit.  j  numerous   proofs   that  lait   for  the   illegal 

Pursuant  to  residiition  of  Congress,  the  'disloyalty  of  the  government  of  Massa<dui- 
I'resident  having  |)ro(  laime(l  a  fast  day  for  |  setts,  (>vei'y  braiudi  of  it,  no  jiart  of  the  State 
the  '.tth  September,  l.'-l;i,  the  Fe<leral  Ue- [  would  have  been  disgracefully  without  re- 
publican assailed  the  loan  and  the  war  i  sistance,  as  large  part  of  it  was,  subjecteil 
through  that  scdemnity  :  "  l^et  no  man  who  I  to  the  Pritish  yoke.  The  jouriuils,  publii' 
•wishes  to  contlnu"- the  war,  by  active  means,  [festivals,  ])arty  fulminations,  and  other 
by  vote,  or  liv  lending  mou(\v.  dare  )iros- j  pronounceil  sentiments  of  Massachiis(>tts. 
trate  himsidf  at  the  altar  that  day,  for  these  j  p.irticularlv  Poston,  tf>emed  with  detianee 
are  virtually  as  nnudi  ]iartaking  in  the  i  of  the  national  government,  abuse  of  tlio 
war,  as  the  snldi(>r  who  thrusts  th<^  bayonet ;  j  war,  and  apjilause  of  the  enemy.  When 
and  although  they  may  not  be  consumed  at  i  the  elo(|uerwe  of  our  orators  fails  to  .secure 
thealtar,  yet  the  judgments  (d' the  Almighty  '  our  rights,  they  said,  it  will  be  done  by  tlie 
await  them."  j  thunder  of  our  cannon  ;  our  militia  tirc^  <le- 

That  male(liction  was  but  an  (dinllition  of  i  termined  to  resent  the  injuries  of  domestir 
a  press,  whose  paragraphs,  however,  wt>re  j  op|iressi(m,  as  much  as  to  resist  the  assaults 
pupjiosed  to  be  wiitteii  by  niori^  than  one  j  of  foridgn  foes;  we  desire  honorable  ]ieaeo 
jueinber  of  Congress.  The  autliorilati\'e  '  with  tli(>  laml  of  our  ancestors,  with  which 
opjiugiialiou  of  the  cunstitutcil  authorities  |  wo  uro  too  cly.sol^  couuectcd   in  fculin[;, 


of  22 


[1813, 
setts  was  solonin 

^tato  appoint(!(]  a 
uses,  wlio  fiilldw- 
ti(in  of  tlie  Ifxli 
nj:  Tdr  naval  \ic- 
ftiiclSthoftliat 
I'ln.  Kiiifi,  in(|nii- 
itoil  any  a^fcncv 
ted  States,  or  re- 
*  or  munitions  nf 
sKsocutivo.  Our 
witliaiitlioritvtii 
■s,  added  Samuel 
of  till' joint  eoin- 
iv«  ros(dntion  tn 
iac'liUKctts  v(duii- 
idor  tlio  national 
loir  liomostcails 
-t  of  .In no.  is  1,1, 
ral  Kin<>;  ro|di('(l, 
diMvd   tlioir  sci- 

tlio  dcfonco  (if 
1  and  or<ifani/,(>(l. 
"itli  arms  on  a)i- 
pr  of  the  fccnoral 
tlio  comnicnic- 
hen  tlio  sorvicis 
r  vitlilald  Jhnn 

aided  tlio  war 
'iieli  a  V(diinl('i'r 
('C(>ssary  for  tlio 
After  two  ro;;i- 
services  of  s;u!i 
anios  more  vvoic 
;  three  other  ro- 
<  citizen  of  tlic 
s  to  perform  a- 
in  this  Just  ami 
(  0  hrothers,  dis- 
['lis  Kinj;-  was  ;i 
Senate,  ojiposcd 
1 ;  his  half  hm- 
<t  viidont  oj)|iii- 
sentative^  :  ami 
iiject  of  this  mi- 
ls   only  one   (.f 

for  the  illeiral 
it  of  i^fassaehii- 
>art  of  the  Stiiti 
iilly  without  II'- 
;  was,  sulijcctt'il 
ioiirnal.s,  jiiililii' 
ns,  and  other 
Massacdiiisetts. 
I  with  dotiaiui 
t,  ahiiso  of  till' 
enemy.  AVIieii 
■i  fails  to  seciu'i> 
he  done  by  the 
■  militia  iire  dr- 
ies of  doniestit' 
dst  the  assaiilt> 
lonorahle  jieaei' 
irs,  with  whieh 
ted    In   fuelini;, 


Cn.\r.  I.] 


LAWRENCE'S  FUNERAL. 

♦ 


23 


iTiannors,  and  principles,  over  to  liavc  hcen  i  had  the  deepest  interest  as  well  as  in  the  na- 
at  variance;  our  patriots  traduced,  are  not  I  tional  honor.  Rrou^jht  from  Halifax  in  the 
deliased,  hut  have  still  th       ;iirit  to  rouse  j  carted  Henry.  command(Ml  hy  ('apt.  (Jeorjrc 


the  people  to  defend  t^;'  ■-.saulted  liher- 
tios.  A  fe<leral  memlier  1.  ■•  :in;:i;ross,  hein;; 
told.  whi>n  till!  I'rcsidciit  was  ill  in  July, 
iSl;'),  that  ho  had  vomited  .'ometirmo;  \('vy 
black,  said  he  supposed  it  was  his  con- 
Bcience  ;  and  it  was  not  unoommon  ncws- 
pajior  vilification  of  the  Chief  ^laf^istratc  to 
puhlish  that  Madison  made  himself  f<((j>l>!/ 
Ijy  liahitiial  into.xicsition.  Mr.  Quincy's  reso- 
lution aj^ainst  rejoicing  for  naval  victories, 
jnoved  by  a  f;ontlcman  of  his  respoctalde 
social  and  political  position,  could  not  fail 
of  pernicious  encourajj;ement  to  the  anony- 
mous cowards  of  a  ]n'iirient  press,  always 
foragiiif!;  for  ambushed  defamation.  Ton 
years  after  it  passed  the  Senate,  during 
the    brief  interval,  when  "William   Kustis 


Crowninshieid.  and  manned  by  ten  respcct- 
abl(>  shipmasters,  who  volunteered  feir  the 
service,  the  bodies,  followed  by  a  train  of 
eight  boats  rowed  by  sailrirs  in  uniform, 
keeping  minute  strokes,  wore  landed  from 
the  cartel,  that  vessel  and  tlie  United  States 
lirig-of-war.  Rattlesnake,  connnanded  by 
Captain  Cridghton,  firing  minute  guns,  re- 
peated by  the  Salem  artillery.  Tli(>  Con- 
stitution frigate  at  Boston,  some  miles  off, 
all  the  American  and  neutral  moridiant 
vessels  in  the  harbors  of  Roston  and  Salem, 
the  forts,  gun-houses,  and  many  other  places 
displayed  their  colors  at  half-mast.  The 
bodies,  taken  from  the  boats  and  placed  on 
hearses,  covered  by  tlio  flags  they  so  nobly 
vindicated,  were  fidlowed  by  a  ]irocessi(m, 


vas  chosen  (Jovernor  over  his  competitor, '  headed  by  the  Vice-1'resident  of  the  United 
■Harrison  Gray  Otis,  Jlr.  Quincy's  resolu- ]  States,  Generals  Dearborn  and  Cushing, 
tion  on  the  17th  January,  1S2-I,  by  a  vote  |  officers  of  the  navy  and  army  in  full  uni- 
of  22  ayes  to  15  nays,  was  ordered  to  be  form,  ministers  of  the  (iitsptd,  several  ma- 
expiingod  from  the  Journal,  on  motion  of  |  rino  societies,  corporate  bodies,  citizens  and 
Setli  Sjiraguo,  father  of  the  ])rosent  United  j  strangers  from  Roston  and  the  neighbor- 
States  i)istrict, Judge.    "  Adopted."  says  his  ,  hood,  and  escorted  by  a  comiiany  of  lijiht 


resolution,  "at  a  time  of  extraordinary  po- 
litical excitement,  u|)on  an  erroneous  esti- 
rnate  of  the  nature  and  character  of  the  late 
war  between  the  United  States  and  (ireat 
Britain,  involving  and  assorting  princijdos 
unsound  in  poli<>y,  and  dangerous  and 
■alarming  in  tendency:  not,  therefore,  to  be 
hereafter  considered  asoxpri'ssingthe  sense 
of  the  Senate  and  people  of  this  common- 
wealth at  this  time  of  uncommon  political 
tran(|uillity." 

In  August,  ISl.*),  not  long  after  the  ]ioison 
of  the  ori^iinal  resolution,  the   mortal  re- 


infantry,  slowly  moving  during  two  hours 
tlie  long  procession  lasted  from  the  wharf 
to  the  (diurch.  The  streets  were  crowde<l, 
the  windows  filh'd  with  spectators,  many 
of  whom  occu]iied  the  housetojis.  as  hun- 
dreds did  at  Roston  the  first  of  Juno,  to 
behold  or  hear  of  the  unfortunate  Che.^a- 
)K'ake,  when  her  rash  cmnmander  rushed 
to  destruction.  The  t(dling  of  the  bells, 
military  music,  and  recent  recidlections  of 
the  dead  rendered  the  solemnity  doejdy 
impressive.  In  the  church,  Judge  Story 
)iroiKiunccd  an  affectionate  eulogy  on  tlicni, 
mains  of  (laptain  Lawrence  and  Lieutenant  I  whicii,  though  he  was  then  identified  with 
Ludlow,  brought  from  Halifax,  were  on- j  the  war  and  the  administration  that  shortly 
tomlied  at  Salem,  Massachusetts,  a  neigh- !  before  raised  him  to  the  Rench  of  the  Sil- 
])oriiig  t(  ■  n  as  inimical  to  war  as  Roston  j  promo  Court  of  the  United  States,  was 
itself^,  according  to  ceremoni(>s  arranged  and  purely  national,  withmit  offensive  allusion, 
published  for  the  mournful  occasion.  As  |  and  couched  in  the  poetical  diction  in  whiidi 
soon  as  it  was  made  iiublic.  that  Ca))tain  i  that  learned  jurist  was  versed.  Some  fede- 
Crowninshield  was  going  to  Halifax  for  ralists  attended  the  ceremony  and  miiigled 
Lawrence'.s  remains,  a  Roston  journal,  j  tiieir  regrets  with  those  of  the  republicans, 
Fnoering  at  the  goiierous  act.  said  that  "  the  constituting  nxist  of  the  escort.  The  coin- 
j)rinif('ii-iii;i  Ca]itain  Crowninshieid,  of  Sa-  i  mou  ]ieop.lesym]nitliize(l,  as  afterwards  they 
lorn,  has  obtained  from  government  a  flag  ^  threatened  and  iiroventod  the  1?oston  design 
of  truce  to  ]iroceed  to  Halifax  to  remove.  ]  to  surrender  the  frigate  Constitution   and 

Indciiendence  ship  of  the  lino  to  save  that 


with  ]ier'nission  of  the  Rritish,  the  remains 
of  the  lamented  Ijawrence.  The  body  is, 
we  understand,  to  be  brought  to  Salem, 
where  an  eulogy  cm  the  (diaracti-r  of  the 
deceased  is  to  lie  pronounced  by  .ludge 
Story,  who  has  liccn  ayipointed  to  this  oi^ce 
by  nobody  knows  who."  WIkmi  they  brought 
home  the  body,  liusiness  in  Salem — Crown- 
inshield's  residence — was  suspended,  and 
the  town  crowded  with  perfiuaiuTs  or  wit- 


town  from  Rritish  assault.  Rut  even  such 
a  sidemnity  was  shunned  and  discounte- 
nanced by  C(dd-blo(ided  disaffection.  Though 
most  of  tiie  Roston  press  exhorted  their 
readers  to  attend  the  funeral,  yet  the  Roston 
I>aily  Advertiser,  repre.senti r.g  the  unge- 
nerous sulleniiessof  the  State  (iovornniont, 
insolently  askeil.  "what  honor  can  bo  pai(l 
where  a  Crowninshieid  is  chief  niourner. 


iiosscs  of  the  funeral  honors  paid  to  heroes,  |  and  a  Story  chief  priest  ?"  ( iovcrnor  Strong, 
sacriticoil  almost  withm  sight  of  Roston,  to  j  his  Council,  and  others  of  their  )>crsuasion, 
the  national  and  naval  glory  of  the  country,  :  staid  away  from  the  ceriMuoiiies  thus  tiiuiit- 
in  whose  uuiriiimo  exploits  Massacliusetts  i  cd;  and  although  no  doubt  a  minority  of 


24 


tho  pooplc  yot  niajiiiitios  of  tlio  State  uu 
tlinritii's,  of  tlio    incrcliiuits,  tlin   Itiiv,  tlic 
churcli  and  t!ip  ck'i'jry  tiiriicil  tlu'ir  liaeks 
on  national  soleninitii\>',  ami  brooded  na- 
tional disijraco. 

Hcistoii  ilisloyalty,  cxtvomi'ly  offcnsivo  at 
Wasliin;^tiin,  was  iMinti'inptiioiisly  c-liid  at 
ITilifax.  "  Thoy  exposo  tlicir  weakness, " 
s:i;'l  tiie  Tfiililax  Joiii'iial.  '"  Ky  the  vevel 
runt  of  a  naval  dinner  for  Mull,  and  imttin^' 
tli(>ir  vessels  in  mourning  for  Lawrence. 
Tlie  naval  dinner  and  naval  niourniiif;  of 
Boston,  reflect,  in  a  sallow  hue,  th(!  picture 
of  Massachusotts  jiatriotism."  "We  shall 
try,"-  added  the  ISIontreal  Herald,  of  the  ;?d 
of  July,  ISUi.  "to  prove  that  the  remon- 
strance, puldishcd  by  tiio  3Iassa(diusetts 
Li>;iis!aturo  a;i;ainst  the  war  with  Britain, 
is  i(ut  empty  blustering,  adopting  no  final 
or  determined  system  successfully  to  ac- 
complish the  preteiuled  claims  ami  redress 
(d'y;rievances  so  loudly  vociferated.    "When 


OPPOSITION  OF  MARYLAND. 

-♦ — 


[1813. 


jCn.vr.  I. 


the  tendencies  of  some  of  the  Massachusetts 
partisans  to  disunion,  whirh  was  iinpossi- 
ide  and  discounti'nanced  by  all  parties  in 
Maryland,  ncverthtdess  by  strong  language 
of  ojiposition  condemned  the  contest,  its 
alleged  causes  and  supporters.  In  achargo 
to  the  tJrand  Jury  of  Baltimore,  iiUtlier 
Martin,  a  learned  lawyer,  latidy  apiudnted 
Judge,  denounced  the  American  doctrine 
of  allegiance,  the  President  and  his  ad- 
ministration, in  terms  to  be  preserved  as 
part  of  the  curious  history  of  the  violence 
with  which  a  war  of  words  is,  and  will  be, 
always  waged  in  a  free  country  in  oppo- 
sition to  war  by  arms  against  any  other 
country:  mostly  without  much  effect,  often 
disgusting  the  community,  and  strengtheu- 
ing  the  government  it  abuses. 

"The  horrid  atrocdties  of  Franco  are 
proofs,"  said  Judge  Martin  to  the  Grand 
Jury,  "that  fallen  man,  for  whose  restraint 
"•overnnKMits  were  created,  is  a  more  de- 


a  municipal  (U-  estal)lishe(i  law  is  vi(dated,  it !  formed  and  debased  monster  than  the  beasts 
becomes  the  duty  of  the  L(<gislature  to  in- 1  of  the  earth.  Wriggling  themselves  into 
terfere:  and  if  remonstrance  have  not  the  I  ]daco,  republicans  become  demagogues;  and 


effei't  of  remedy,  recourse  to  arms  is  the 
next  and  last  alternative.  If  our  memory 
is  not  treacherous,  we  think  that  Mr.  t^uin- 
ey  and  other  Senators  did  threaten  an 
anneal  to  arms  some  years  ago.  But  re- 
monstrances  eontnuie,   and    promises    arc 


republicanism  is  by  no  means  insejiarably 
united  with  virtue.  False  i>liilosojdiy,  con- 
ceived in  hell,  and  nursed  by  the  devil, 
propagated  in  Europe  all  their  wretched- 
ness, too  extensively  introduce<l  into  the 
United  States.     The  Anuu-ican  Kevolution 


unfullilled.  How  degenerated  from  the  spi- 1  was  completed  by  men  of  virtue,  morality, 
rit  of  '75,  'G,  though  that  was  an  atrocious  j  and  religion:  but  the  sun  does  not  shine  on 
spirit."  j  a  peo]»le  who  have,  since  then,  so  deterio- 

Harrison's  victory  over  Proct(U' was  pub- 1  rated  in  virtue,  morality,  and  ndigion: 
lidy  depbu'ed.  The  Salem  (ia/,i>tt(!  of  the  !  Their  dcprec-iation  began  with  that  of  paper 
2!2(1  October,  ISl.'i,  announced,  "  At  length  |  money,  and  for  twenty  years  I]urope  has 
the  handful  of  British  troops,  which,  forjlieen  spewing  on  this  devoted  country  an 
more  than  a  year,  have  baffleil  the  numerous  i  almost  unremitting  tcu-rent  of  her  liltliiest 
armies  of  the  United  Stat((s  in  the  invasion  ;  feculency,  tainting  a  mass,  become  still 
of  Canada,  de|)rived  of  the  genius  of  the  nnu'e  rotten.  Vainly  do  we  attribute  our 
immortal  Brock,  have  betui  obliged  to  yi(dd  evils  to  a  vi<dation  of  sailors'  rights,  or  to  a 
to  superior  power  and  numbers."  'i'he  ]  weak  govcrnnn-nt.  Providence  punishes 
Boston  |)aily  Advertiser  of  tin;  next  day,  |  us  for  our  sins  with  war,  the  worst  of 
2'M  of  October,  18115,  added,    "Wo  shall   curses,  worse  than  famine  or  pestilence. 


surrender  all  our  ccmquests  at  a  peace. 
It  is,  indeeil,  a  hopc^ful  exploit  for  Harrisim, 
■with  five  thousand  troops,  who  liave  been 
assemliling  and  preparing  ever  sincjc  .hily. 
lSl'2.  to  tight  and  concpier  four  hundred 
and  fifty  worn  out,  exhausteil  British  regu- 
lars, whom  the  Indians  had  pn^viously  <le- 
siMted."  In  IUiodi>  Island,  infec.'teil  by  con- 
tagion with  Massachusetts,  a  journal  pro- 
nouucc^l  H;n'rison's  victory  the  triumiih  of  which  W(! 
a  crowd  of  KtMituckv  savages  over  a  Inindful    are   those 


Xo  gnilt  call  bo  nmre  inex]iiable  than  that 
if  him  \vho,  without  just  cause,  pliniges  a 


nation  into  war.  In  the  sight  of  Heaven, 
such  a  nniu  will  be  viewed  as  the  wilful, 
dtdilierate  munlerer  of  every  individual 
who  loses  his  life  in  its  prosecutitm.  and 
his  soul  is  stained  by  every  drop  of  blood 
thereliy.  They  who  add  sin  to  sin  with 
greediness  in  prosecuting  the  war  with 
ir(>  afflicted  by  an  avenging  Ood, 
truly  guilty  of  nnu-al   treason." 


of  brav<(  men — no  more  than  a  marcli  and    From  such  ethical  lessons,  which,  together 
their  cajituri!  without  fighting.  ,  with  their  jiractical. judicial  a]iplicati(m,  arc 

In  Maryltiml,  as  in  Massacdiusetts,  and  jiart  of  the  history  of  that  crisis,  tin;  Judge, 
at  IJaltinmre,  where  publii!  sentiuu'nt  was  |iroceeding  to  the  enumeration  of  criuu'S, 
entindy  different  from  that  of  Boston,  the  spoke  of  treason  as  the  deepest  malignity 
press,  anil  even  much  of  the  constituteil  of  guilt,  a?id  adiled,  "  I  ludd  it,  genthMuen, 
autiiority,  vras  extremely  inimical  to  the  '  as  a  sound  ami  incontrovt^-tible  truth,  a 
war,  and  the  natioiml  administration. —  truth  of  which  I  cannot  doulit,  that  no  citi- 
Levin  Wimler.  the  <io\i'i'nnr,  lik(>  (Jovernor '  zea  can  more  righteously  ilivest  liimscdf  of 
Sirong,  an  oHi(!erof  the  Revolution,  together  his  allegiance  to  his  governnuMit  without 
with  a  majority  of  the  Legislature,  without  [  its  couseut,  than  his  goverument  can,  with- 


[1813. 

!  Massaclmsotts 
li  wiis  iinpo.ssi- 
f  all  jiai'tics  in 
tron;^'  laiij^imjrG 
ho  cdntcst,  its 
H.  Inacliarj;'o 
iinoro,  Liitlicr 
itcly  apiKiintdl 
'I'ican  doctrine 
it  and  hi.s  ad- 
n  jn'csorvod  a.s 
if  tlio  violence 
is,  and  will  bo, 
intry  in  oppo- 
nst  any  other 
ch  o^lfoct,  often 
nd  strengthon- 
s. 

f  Franco  are 
to  the  tirand 
vhuse  restraint 
i.s  a  more  do- 
than  the))easts 
leni^olvos  into 
nan;(i<ruos;  and 
IS  iiisoparahly 
lilosophy,  con- 
by  tlio\levil, 
K'lr  wrotclu'd- 
Hcod  into  the 
im  Revolution 
•tuo,  morality, 
'.s  not  sliino  on 
en,  so  detorio- 
nd    r<'li^ion : 

that  of paper 
s  Hnropo  has 
ihI  country  an 
f  her  liltiiiest 

become  still 
attribute  our 
rights,  or  to  a 
nee  punishes 
the  Worst  of 
r  pestilence, 
ible  than  that 
se,  plun<i-ea  a 
it  of  Heaven, 
as  the  wilful, 
i-y  individual 

ecution,  and 
ilroji  of  blood 
I  to  sin  with 
lie  war  with 
veii<iin<j;(iod, 
ral  treason." 
licli,  tojTothor 
plication,  are 
is,  tli(!  ,ludfi;e, 
m  (if  crimes, 
i'st  mali^fuity 

;ientl(>meji, 
ib!e  truth,  a 

that  no  <'iti- 
it  himself  of 
lent  without 
at  can,  with- 


GOVEIINORS  OF  THE  EASTERN  STATES. 


Chai'.  I.]  

out  his  consent,  deprive  him  of  its  ^irotec- 
tion.     This  truth  is  formed  in  the  ycvy  na- 
ture of  civil  society.    Tiu>  contrary  doctrine 
is  the  spawn  of  folly  and  knavery,  whati'ver 
viseacres  of  nmdcrn  growth  may  tell  us." 
The   r.altiniore   (Iraiid   dury,  of    one-and- 
twenty  members,  by  formal  rejdy,  ])rotcstcd 
jij;-ainst  .lud.^e  Jlar'tin's  char;ie,  and  arirued  j 
the  errors  of  most  of  its  positions,  especi.illy,  I 
they  said,    "the    absurd   and   uncoiistitu- : 
tioiial  j^round  of  the   Court's  remarks  \n' 
defence   of  perpetual  allejriance."       Soon  i 
nfterwards,   Juilf^e   (ieor<;e  Poiudexter,   of 
]Mississi|)pi,  diarj^ed  a  (irand  .Jury  there, 
that,  "  The  nature  of  our  j2;overiimerit  and  ; 
•habits  of  our  people,  forbid  the  idea  that  | 
arms  will  often  bo  taken  up  to  enforce  the 
visionary    projects    of    abandoned    dema- 
gor;ues.      We  must  search  for  treason  in 
mercantile  cupidity,  aided  by  the  facilities 
attVirded  for  f;ratifjin,<>;  it  by  the  enemy. 
lie  who  relieves  the  wants  o^  the  enemy  is  i 
guilty  of  adherinji;  to,  and  piivinj!;  him  aid  , 
and  comfort.     (Jivinj;  him  information  is. 
more  (lanjrerous  than  bearinj:;  arms  for  him.  | 
The  editors  of  those  licentious  newspapers,  I 
who  have  sold  themselves  to  a  British  fac- j 
tion  to  overturn  the  only  free  <:;overnment  i 
on    earth,    and   justify    the    enormities   of' 
Great  Britain,  excitinji  unfounded  expecta-  J 
tions  of  a  severance   of  the  Uni(m,  are,  in 
that  cliiss  of  offenders,  employed  for  Knp;- 1 
land,  where  it  is  hi<;h  treason  only  to  iimi-l 
yine  the  kini;''s  death."  ' 

In  nuitters  of  projierty.jvulicature,  mostly 
rijrht,  may  be  always  respectable  :  but  wiicn 
Judj];es  undertake  p(ditics,  their  jiassions 
mislead  more  than  those  of  juries,  actuated 
l)y  the  simple  couunon  sense  of  the  com-  \ 
munity. 

Atiout  that  time,  died  tAvo  remarkable' 
tyjies   (if  the  two   di-tiuct  species  of  the 
same  Knjrlisli  rac(>  of  Americans,  Theiijilii- 
lus    Parsons,  t'hief-Iustice  of    IMass dm- 1 
setts,    and    (.'buries  Scott,    ex-Oovernor  of 
Kentucky.     Scott  was  a  frontier  pioneer,  of 
that  class  of  adventurers  formed  liy  settlin;i: 
new   ref^ions    rechiimed    fi-om  Avilderness,  . 
and  eon(|U(>red  from  savaa;(>s  liy  intruders  ' 
who  despise   property  earmxl  liy  trancpiil ! 
industry,   and  covet  lands,  not   by  acres,  \ 
but  miles  s(|nare.     Uneducated,  but  int(dli- ! 
pMit  and  brave,  Scott  rose  from  the  ranks,  j 
in  A\'ashinj!;ton's  army,  to  connnand  and  ce-  \ 
lebrity.      Parsons,  uiKMjualbMl  as  a  lawyer: 
and  jud)>;e  in  New  Enjtland,  tnicomuKinly  ; 
learned,  and  as  respocttnl  rpiestions  of  ]iro- 1 
perty,  of  that  perfect  rectitude  which  clia- 1 
racterizes    the    American   Judi(.'iary,    yet,  j 
strayinii;,    as    it   often    does,   into   ]iidlties,  \ 
wan(ler(>d  into  adjud^red  misconstructions  ; 
(if  the  militiii  laws,  which  discredited  the  ! 
Supreme  .ludicial  Coin't  of  Massachusetts, 
endiMn;(>re(l  and  ]ieriil(>xe(l  the  I'nion.     It 
liecanie  the  judicial  function  of  a   Massa-] 
chusetts  lawyer,   Story,  younj!;  and  much  | 
inferior  to  Parsons  when  he  died,  to  pri-! 


25 


iioniu'(^  the  unanimous  judu'ment  of  the 
Siiprem(>  ('(.nrt  of  th"  Ciiited  .^tates.  ve- 
versin^j;  that  of  Parsons  inol  liis  associati\s, 
as  oul'  of  the  mo.-t  pal[iab!e  errors  of  the 
war. 

Ibirin;;;  i!ie  interval  between  the  first  and 
second  sessions  ol' the  Thirteenth  CoUfrrcss, 
(iovei'nors  John  Cottou  Smith,  of  Connecti- 
cut, AVillinm  .lones,  of  Kliode  Island,  -John 
Taylor  (Jiliiian,  of  New  Ilanipshire.  ami 
Martin  Cliitf(nden,  of  Vermotit,  addressed 
the  Lerislitures  of  those  Stiites.  most  of 
them  in  disapjirovtil  of  the  war  and  nati(iniil 
i;(neri!iiH>nt :  but  none  of  them,  excejit  the 
latter,  with  the  viident  anti-federal  opposi- 
tion of  the  constituted  authorities  of  Massa- 
chusetts, whos(!  unconstitutional  sores  wero 
corrodinjf  to  the  rottenness  in  which  they 
exfoliated  next  year  by  the  Hartford 
Convention.  Oovernor  -Jones'  nu'ssa<!;e, 
the  i;Cith  of  October,  ISl,!,  paraded  the 
jiower  of  Rhode  Island  to  disturb  the 
Union  liy  the  tivo  cannon,  of  which  it  eare- 
ftdly  stated  the  cost,  (lovernor  Oihnan's. 
the'lZTth  Oct(iber.  1S1;5,  without  a  word  of 
dissatisfaction  with  the  war,  was  said  by 
Mr.  Webster,  by  that  moderation,  to  have 
tiiereby  ])r(^vented  his  re-<dection.  Portions 
of  the  five  Eiistern  States,  irritrtte(l  by  com- 
mercial restrictions,  were  piaded  by'  jiarti- 
sans  to  nit>asures  which  a  minority  branded 
into  the  nniss  of  the  peo]ile  of  New  J"'\'^'-"'' 
steadfastly  attached  to  the  Uniin,  however 
averse  to  its  federal  o;overnuicut,  opposed 
to  the  war,  but  unwillii\<;  to  follow  factious 
leaders  to  the  t>xtrei\ies  of  disunion,  sepa- 
rate )H'ac(,'  and  British  alliance.  (Jovernor 
Smith's  spe(M'h  in  October  IS!.'*,  in  the  hu'm 
and  tnethod  of  the  ori^iniil  presidential 
speeches  t  i  Conj^ress  (which  •Jefferson  took 
a  doubtful  liberty  when  he  abolished  as 
Knji'lish  and  royal,  and  stibstitutiMl  the 
niessaj!,'e) — was  a  model  of  (lijinified  and 
patriotic  ojioi^sition.  "  Tlie  sentiments," 
said  he,  "of  the  ]ieo)ile  of  Coniu^ctic\it  in 
disap]irobation  of  the  unha]i|!y  contest  in 
whiidi  we  ai'o  iimdved  were  ]nibliely  de- 
clared throu;:;!i  the  proper  ora'an  soon  sifter 
hostilities  comnu'iice(i,  accompanied  Avitli 
an  assurance  that  the  oblijiations  of  the 
Constitution  should,  nevertladess.  be  strict- 
ly fulfille(|.  They  have  pursued  that  honor- 
aide  course  Avhich  regards  e([ually  the  le- 
ji'itimate  claims  of  th(>  confederacy,  and  the 
rij;hts  and  dignity  of  tlieir  own  govern- 
ment." The  (Jovernor  cordially  approved 
and  seconded  the  alacrity  with  which  the 
people  of  New  liondon  iind  (Jroton,  Avithout 
orders  or  ade(|uate  means,  flew  to  arms  to 
pcotect  Oecatur's  blockaded  ami  endanger- 
ed s((nadrou.  "It  was  no  time,"  he  told 
the  liCgisluture,  "toim|Uire  into  the  cha- 
racter ol'  the  enemy  or  cau^(?  which  made 
him  such:  Avhen  no  in"onsiderable  portion 
of  our  eiiiliuit  iiiivy  was  exposed  within  our 
waters  to  instant  ca]iture  and  destruction." 
'I'lic  conduct  of  the  Conneotiou'  militia  cor- 


20 


OOVRRXOR  CIIITTEN'DE.V'S  REFUSAL  OF  MILITIA. 


[1813. 


Chap. 


rosfionilcil  l.y  IioiKirsililc  acts  to  tlio  fJo- 
Vffiiiir's  a|iiiriiViil.  Wlicii  tin;  term  (if  scr- 
vic(!  of  till'  lirst  n>(|uisitiim  ('X|iiri>il,  on  tin- 

Idlll    (if  Oi-tiiliiT,   ISl;').  tlli'V  llllircll"'il    fl'dlll 

tlicir  ('ii('iuii|iiiiriit   tlii'iiiiiili    N'l'W    l.iiiiiliiii,  ' 
and  wen?  (liscJiiir^icd  with  tlii>  i-iiiniii(Mi(l;i- 
tion    (if    till'    Cdiniiiainlin;;;   dfliccr.       IJy   a  ■ 
cliiin^^o  in   tlio  piiviiiiisti'i's  jirriui^iMiiciits, 
thoy  fduM  iKit  1j(!  iiiinu'iliuti'ly  jtiiid  lirfinv 
they  wont   lidnic:   wlicrcniinn   tiie  (ilficors ; 
advanocil  most  df  tlu'  money  and  j:;onoi'oiis- ; 
ly  distriliuted  it  anionj^  tlin  men.  (idvcrnor 
Smith    riH|nost(Ml   the   Prosidont'H    instruc- 
t  (inx,  by  whoso  iM^iiiost  a  (!onsi(U'ra1)lo  body 
of  trodps  had  Imen  kojit  at  that  statiim,  and  | 
from   Avliom  two  thonsand  stand  of  arms 
had  boon  roecivod.     The  troojis  of  Connoc- 
tiout  Sii'VO,  as  the  G(jvornor  .justly  said,  in- 
disputable   cvidonoo    (if    thoir   iittaohmont 
to  its  Constitutions  (with  huidaldo  felioity 
of  phrase  jdiniu";  the  Federal  to  the  State 
Constitution).     If  sueli  had   lioon  the  lan- 
};ua;;o  and  spirit  of  all  the  constituted  au- 
thorities  of  Xow   England,   their  annoy- 
an(;cs  by  the  war  Would  have  been  as  nuieii 
less  as  their  eredit  and  enioluments  would 
have  been  f^roator.     JJut  Massaebus(!tts  or 
Boston   evil  inlhionco   was   at  work   with 
corresponding  vitdenco   from  momliors  of 
Congress,    to   protraet    and    embitter    the 
struggle,  and  even  in  Connootieut,  pervert 
the    State   counteraetion  which   (lovornor 
Smith  deemed  lawful  with  many  more  of 
the  wisest  n\en  of  that  intelligent  common- 
wealth, next  year  constrained  to  appear  as 
reluctant  perfdriners  in  the  drama  of  dis-  j 
union,  ending  with  a  farce  what  its  authors  | 
contrived  for  tragedy.  j 

Vermont,  nearly   lialancod   in    the   suf- 1 
fragcs  of  that  frontier  and  martial    State,  | 
Governor  Chittenden   attempted   to    push , 
to  the  very  verge  of  revolt  and  eoilision  ; 
with   the   A'ational  authority.     Chosen  at 
the    annual    election    by    more    jdurality , 
without    majority,     of    whicii    he    laeki>(l  ^ 
near  three  hundred  votes:  liut  thereupon 
being    constitutionally    ]ireferred    )iy    tiie 
Legislature  in  joint  ballot,  liy  a  majority  of; 
three  votes  over  his  eomjietitor.  .Jonas  (ia-j 
lusha,  who  had  a  majority  of  six  hundred 
popular  votes;  Chittenden,  thus  lawfully,  ; 
t)ut  barely  installed,  took   his  cue  entirely 
from    Massachusetts    promjiters,    ami    his 
speech  to  tiie  Legislature,  tlie  li.'ld  of  Octo- 
ber,   IcS];),  avow'd    their    pcii'tentous    ille- 1 
galitios.     "  The  iiiiliiia,"  he  declared,  "ex- ' 
c'lusively    a>---;igii!'d    for    th(^    service    and  j 
protection  of  the  several  States,  except  to  j 
execute  the  bvws  of  the    rnion,  suppress  i 
insurrections,  or  rep(d  invasions.     It  never  ; 
could,    he    said,   have   been  intended  that : 
the  whole  body  of  the  militia  were,  by  any 
Ivind  of  mag'c,  at  once  to  be  transformed 
into   a  re'j;ul;ir  army  fur  thi>  purpose  of  lb- 
reign  con'|iiest."    M'lileh  po-^itioM,  oliicially 
announce'!,  was  soon  enforced  by  the  mll^t 
wanton  act  of  deliauce  to  nalioiial  author- 


ity that  occurred  during  the  war.  At  a 
crisis  of  great  importance,  when  Hamilton's 
wing  of  the  northern  army  was  marched 
into  Canada  toco-ojierate  with  Wilkinson's 
fir  the  invasion  of  that  province,  a  brigade 
of  A'crniont  militia  ha\  ing  been  mandicd  to 
i'lattsburg,  and  there  jint  under  orders  of 
United  States  officers,  on  the  lOth  of  \o- 
vember,  ls\'.\ — from  Montp(dier,  (iovernor 
Chittenden  issued  his  )iroclamation  as  Cap- 
tain-(ieneral  and  (iovernor,  ordering  them 
to  return  to  their  residences,  within  the 
territorial  limits  of  their  own  brigade,  tliero 
to  re))el,  if  need  be,  the  enemy's  invasion, 
either  in  co-operation  with  troops  of  the 
United  States,  or  se)iarately,  .as  might  be 
necessary.  Feeling  the  weight  of  his  re- 
sponsibility, the  (iovernor  added,  with  re- 
gard to  the  constitutional  duties  of  the 
militia,  he  une((uivocally  deidared,  "that, 
in  hisojdnion,  (lu^  military  strength  and  re- 
sources of  the  State  must  be  reserved  for 
its  own  defence  and  protection  exclusively, 
excepting  in  cases  provided  for  liy  tlu^  Con- 
stitution of  the  Unit(!d  Stat(>s ;  and  then 
under  orders,  derived  only  from  (he  Com- 
mandei--in-(diief."  To  this  atteiniit  to  en- 
force the  Massachusetts  heresy,  the  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Jjtither  Dixon  and  other 
officers  of  a  regiment  of  ^'ernlont  militia, 
from  their  cantonment  at  i'lattsburg,  on 
the  blth  of  Xoventb(!r,  181.'!,  replied,  by 
addressing  to  the  (jiovernor,  "the  reasons 
which  induced  them  absolutely  and  posi- 
tively to  refuse  (diedience  to  the  order  of 
his  ]u'oelamation.  AVhen  ordered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  it  becomes 
our  duty  to  march  tt»  any  section  of  the 
Union  ;  not  confined  to  the  narrow  limits 
of  the  town  ov  State  in  whi(  h  we  reside. 
Wo  are  under  a  paramount  o'lligation  to 
our  common  country,  and  the  great  con- 
federacy of  States.  And  Avhile  in  actmil 
service,  your  Excellency's  ]i(iwer  over  us,  as 
(ioverniir  of  \'erinont,  is  suspended.  If 
legally  ordered  into  service  of  the  United 
States,  your  Excellency  has  no  ]iower  to 
ordi'r  us  out  of  it.  An  invitation  or  order 
to  desert  the  standard  of  our  country,  will 
never  lie  ob(>yed  by  us,  although  it  ]irocee(ls 
frmn  the  (."a]itain-(ieneral  and  (iovernor  of 
Vermont."  The  otlicers,  treating  the  sub- 
ject more  at  large,  de(dar(Kl  their  opinion 
that  "the  (invcrnor's  ]>rochunation  is  a 
renewed  instanc"  of  that  spirit  of  disor- 
ganization and  anarchy,  carried  on  by  a 
I'aclion  to  overwli(dm  our  country  with  ruin 
and  disgrace.  Your  Excellency's  olijeet 
must  be  to  embarrass  the  oiieralions  of  the 
army,  excite  mutiny  and  sedition  among 
the  soldiers,  and  induce  them,  by  deserting, 
to  forfeit  their  wagi>s.  l>istributed  among 
the  (dldiers  by  your  agent,  employed  for 
the  imrpose,  your  priudamation  has  ]iro- 
duceil  no  ell'ect.  Tiiey  regard  it  with  min- 
gled emotions  of  pity  and  contempt  for  its 
author,  and,  as  a  striking  mouuuient  of  his 


A. 


[1813. 


Iio  Avar.  At  a 
lioii  Ilaiiipton's 
V  was  iiiarclicd 
itli  Wilkiiisdii's 
iiiiH',  a  ln'ijiailo 
oon  niarclifil  to 
iiiidcr  orders  of 
lio_  loth  of  Xo- 
(dicr,  (iov(>rii(ir 
iinatioii  as  Cap- 
oi'dcM'iii;:;  tlinm 
t's,  within  tiio 
1  hrigado,  tiioro 
lily's  invasion, 

troops  of  the 
i',  as  niijilit  Ite 
ip;lit  of  iiis  re- 
iddfd,  with  ro- 

dutics  of  tiio 
Hdarod,  "that, 
rcn^rth  and  ro- 
)c  rosorvcd  for 
>n  oxchisivplv, 
for  l.\- tiio  Con- 
OS  ;  and  then 
nan  Iho  Com- 
ittcinpt  to  on- 
psy,  tlio  Licu- 
in  and  olhor 
rniont  militia, 
'iattslairu,',  on 
'i,  replied,  by 
" the  reasons 
:ely  and  ])osi- 

tho  order  of 
lerod  into  the 
s,  it  lioeonies 
oetion  of  the 
narrow  limits 
h  we  reside. 
oMiijation  to 
i_e  j^reat  eon- 
ilo  in  actual 
■or  over  us,  as 
isponded.     If 
'f  the  United 
no  ])owor  to 
tion  or  order 
eountry.  will 
rh  it  proceeds 
I  (lovcrnor  of 
in^  the  snh- 
heir  opinion 
iniation    is  a 
rit   of  disor- 
'ied  on   hy  a 
try  with  ruin 
ncy's    (diject 
ations  of  tho 
ition  among 
ly  desertin;^, 
lUted  amonj;; 
niployed   for 
litn   has  ]iro- 
it  with  niiii- 
foinpt  for  its 
iiuient  of  his 


Chap.  I.] 


SHARP'S  AND  OTIS'  IlESOLUTIONS. 


27 


f(dlv.  A  knowled;;o  of  your  Excellency's  ]  diroctinjr  the  Attorney-General  to  Insliliito 
chaiacter  induces  us  to  Ixdievi'  tiiat  the  ;  a  [irosecution.  he  had  iio  (dijection  to  snl)- 
follv  and  infamy  of  the  piMclaniation  to  i  niittiii^'  the  constitutional  (|iies(i(in  to  tlio 
which  yon  liave'  put  your  si;.'-natnro,  are  jjudicial  triliunals.  (iovcrnor  Wrii;iit  adiied 
cliieflv  "ascriLatilo  to  the  evil  advisers  liy  j  that  ho  too  was  for  a  prosecution,  hut  for 
whoni  voiir  K\coiiency  is  encoiiiiiassed."  |  treason,  liy  aid  and  c(aiifort  to  tli(>  enemy, 
]5y  tliat  military  revolt,  collision  in  arms  I  instead  <if' a  niei'(^  peccadillo  hy  violation 
and'  civil  war  were  prohahly  ])revented  :  I  of  law.  AViiliani  l'"indley  saiil  a  few  Udnis 
hv  instihordination,  more  lawful,  rational,  i  against  rostdutions  jrivinj;-  the  opinion  of 
niid  i)atriotic  than  the  command:  for  the  j  the  House  on  institutinj;  a  pi'osecutien. 
militia  were  sustained  in  their  resistance  i  Xo  jjood,  he  thou;:ht.  could  como  of  tho 
livthe  Supremo  Court  of  the  I'liited  States,  |  resolutions  ;  which  wore  laid  on  the  taldo, 
whoso  decre{!  condemned  the  militia  ille-  :  and  never  called  u)i  a,<^aiii  for  considera- 
p;alitios  of  tho  Supremo  Court  and  other  i  tion.  It  was  helieved  to  he  Mr.  ^Madison's 
constituted  authorities  of  ]Massachusetts,  i  opinion,  that  (ioveinors  and  Le<i;islatures 
•which  misled  the  Governor  of  A'eriaont.  j  of  States  are  not  liahlo  to  jirosecniion  for 
General  Jacob  Davis,  of  the  Vermcjnt  :  any  authoritative  inferniption  of  the  Eede- 
niilitia,  charged  hy  Governor  Chittenden  |  ral  (lovernmeiit.  Xo  prosecution  was  ever 
with  the  execution  of  his  proclamation,  j  instituted  for  any  smdi  misconduct,  on 
was  arrested  as  soon  as  he  attempted  it,  |  which  public  sontiiuont  has  passed  .sen- 
at  Plattsl)urg,    and    jait   in    confinement;    tence    more    etrectual    than    the   ordinary 

measure  of  common  punishment. 

Xo  judicial  |iroceedings  or  federal  inter- 
ference took  place  against  the  (iovornor  of 
Vermont :  the  g(MieraI,  Ihivis,  was  enlarged 


General  llanijiton    having  g(Uie  into  win 
tor  (piarters  there,  after  his  and  General 
"Wilkinson's  quarrelsome  aliandonmont  of 
their  expedition  to  Canada 


Xot  long  after  Congress  were  in  session,  i  on  recognizance  and  bail,  to  appear  at  Al- 


on  the  7tli  January,  IS14,  Solomon  Sharp, 
of  Kentucky,  presented  r(^solutions  that  tho 
militia,  when  lawfully  em)doyed  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  are  subject  to  the 
Ramo  rules  and  articles  as  the  troops  of  the 
United  States:  that  every  ]ierson,  not  suli- 
jeet  to  the  rules  and  artitdes  of  war,  pro- 
curing or  enticing  a  scddier  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States  to  desert,  is  guilty  of 
an  infraction  of  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  and  Hubjeet  tc  punishment ;  that 
His  Exc(dlency  Martin  Chittenden,  (io- 
vcrnor of  Vermont,  by  issuing  his  ja-ocla- 
mation  at  ^lontpidicr  the  Idtli  Xovember, 
Ic^Ui,  did  entice  soliliers  in  th(>  service  of  the 


bany  for  trial.  X^ot  long  after,  when  the 
Legislature  of  3Iassachusetts  met.  y\v.  Otis, 
by  anothersteptowanl  the  Hartford  Conven- 
tion, on  the  l-ith  January.  L^I4.  laid  on  tho 
table  of  the  Honse(d'Kepr(>sentatives  at  Bos- 
ton, a  resolution  exiiressive  of  tiio  duty  of 
Massachusetts  to  aid  thed'overnor  and  peo- 
]de  of  Vermont,  or  iiny  other  State,  to  sup- 
port their  cor.stitutional  rights,  Avhen  in  dan- 
ger of  infringement  from  any  (piarter  ;  and 
when  reqnested  by  the  Governor  of  "\'er- 
mont  or  any  other  Stat-^.  upon  evidence  of 
su(  h  infringement,  to  provide  by  law  for 
their  effectual  support.  A  pamphlet  was 
about  that  time  activtdv  circulated  in  I»os- 


Uniteil  States  to  desert :  and  that  tliercdbre  |  t(ni,  entitled  "  Some  Thoughts  on  a  Separa- 
the  President  should  be  requested  to  in- 
struct the  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States  to  institute  a  ])rosocution  against 
Martin  Chittenden.  James  I'isk,  of  Ver- 
mont, said  that  he  spidce  the  sentiments  fif 
the  whole  A'orniont  d(deg,ition.  when  Ik^ 
regretted  the  introduction  of  those  iH'soln- 
tions.  Few  in  Vermont  approved  the  un- 
justitia1)!o  proclamation ;  but  it  Avas  the 
Governor's  act.  ^Moreover,  if  guilty  of  any 
breach  of  law,  tho  courts  of  justice  Avere 


lion  of  th(?  Original  Thirteen  United  States 
from  Louisiana  and  the  A\'estern  Country." 
As  soon  as  unofficially  .'i))prised  of  (Mivernor 
Chittenden's  proclamation  and  Mr.  Otis' 
nmtion.  the  Legislature  f)f  Pennsylvania 
directed  Governor  Snyder  to  lay  lieforc 
Congress  and  the  Pn^sident  resolutions  by 
which  they  strongly  denounced  the  (io- 
vornor to  luniishnient,  and  Mr.  Otis  Avitii 
intent  ]iy  intimidation  to  prevent  it:  and 
the   determination   of  the  (^xivernment   of 


the    projier  tribunals  for  his  ]irosecution.  |  Pennsylvania  to  su)ijiort   tho  General  Go- 


in)t  the  IIous((  of  Representatives.  Avhi(  I 
should  not  attenijit  to  inlluonce  them  or 
turn  infoianors.  Jf  tho  resolutions  were 
adopteil.  that  should  lie  conclusive  of  the 
laAV,  but  the   House   iiad  no  constitutional 


vernmont  in  all  constitutional  •du\  I..  t."'I 
measures  for  )innishing  all  vi(dators  and 
infractors  of  law,  their  aiders  or  abettors, 
hoAvever  elevated  in  station,  directly  or  in- 
liroctly  aiding  or  comforting  the  common 


poAver  over  it.  Ho  therefore  moved  to  lay  |  enemy, 
the  resolutions  on  the  table.  Mr.  Sharp,  |  The  Boston  party.  Avhiih  did  not  corn- 
finding,  he  said,  tho  A'erniont  <l(dogation  prehend  even  most  of  Massachusetts,  jiar- 
opposed  to  his  resolutions,  consented  to  ticularly  3Iaine,  nor  Xew  Hampshire  or 
their  lying  on  the  table.  Tlaauas  Grosve- 1  A'erniont,  nor  even  Connecticut,  in  tho 
mn-  said,  that  if  tiio  res(dutions  Avere  j  rujituring  and  violent  sehomer  eontem- 
cleared  of  that  part  Avhitdi  cxjirossed  tho  j  platt'cl,  made  great  exertions  to  excite  tho 
judgment  of  the  House,  and  coufiucd  to  i  Legislatures  uud  Governments  of  all  Xew 


28 


niOJFX'T  OF  SKC'TIONAL  PEACE. 


[1813. 


r.n.iiliind  tiT  a  sopnvatu  i)('iU'f>,  wliii'h  iiiiist  ! 
liiivi'  li'il   to  ili.-^miinn  ninl   iilliunco  of  tlic  ' 
(Hsiiii'iiilii'vcil  Sillies  Avilli  Mnjiliiinl.     Wliiit  i 
was  ciIIimI  ill  (l''iMsii)ii  tlic  Kiii;ri!i)iii  of  New 
Knu'hmil,  was  tin.'  ilrcain  ofsuiiic  tn  make  a 
si'|iarat(!  funt'i'di'i'acy  dI' the  HastiTii  "tatcs, 
im-lii'liiiir,  iCitroiild  Ik;  a('L'(iin|)lislic(l,  X(>\v 
York,   iir  a  scimrat'i   iicaco    IkUwim'U  tliat 
jiiirtiini   (if  tin;   l'uit(>il   Stat("<   and   Great 
IJi'itaiu.     In  the  uutuinn  (if  ISlI!,  the  IJ'js- 
toii  ]ir('ss  la!  iri>d  to  lirin;^  almiit  a  separat(^ 
peace;  eDiiteiidiiiL!;  tliat  it  was  fiMsllde  with-' 
nut  viiileii'H'.  civil  war,  or  even  seiiaratinn 
(if  the  States  fnini  tli(!ir  f(Ml(>ral  imiun.     In 
Xdvcinlier,  ISl,'!,  a  itriijtH't  for  the  restora- 
tion of  peaee  was  eahiily  and  s]HH;iously 
ar-^uod   in   the   IJoston   l)ai1y  Advertiser, 
ur;j;in<5    every    lej^'ishitor    of     N(!W    Fjnji;- 
land   to   ponder   and  prepare   himself   to 
meet  the  ([uostion  the  onsuin;^  winter.     It  I 
beinj;  well  as(.'ertainod,  was  the  argument,  ! 
that  all   Xew  Fii^^land  is  opposed   to   tin;  ! 
ruinous  and  unjust  war,  how  should  thev  j 
restore  the  lilessinjj;s  of  peace,  witlmnt  civil 
commotions,  separation  or  any  other  ex- 
treme remedy  that  would  lie  worse  than 
th(>  disease?     l?y  the   Constitution   of  the 
Unit(Hl  States,  any  State,  with  the  consent  j 
of  L'(in;;ress,  is  authori/,t<d  to  enter  Into  a  ! 
treaty  with  a  foreiijn  powiM*:  and  (.'onj^ress  [ 
^hdiild  not  refuse  ^i(.'w  Knj^laud  or  .Massa- ' 
cluisetts  leave  to  save  themselves  liy  duins; ' 
80.    l^arts  (if  the  eonfeilerationsnf  llnlland  I 
and  of  (i(>rmany,  the  State  of  Holland  by  ' 
itself,  have  oI'kmi  done  so;  and  (luriu<^  our  j 
own   devolution  it  was  a'j;ree(l   liy  acts   of 
Coni^ress  to  suifer  the  Island  of  Benuuda 
t'l  remain  nc'itral.     Let  then  all  Xew  Knjj;- 
land  unite  peaceably  to  ask  <-'iiii^iVss   to  \ 
grant  jioriulssinn,  |iufsuant   to   tlie  Cdnsti- 
tntidu  iif  the  United  Siates,  fur  New  Knjf- ; 
land  States  to  mak(!  a  so;iarate  peace  with 
Clri>at  Britain,  leavinij  in  full  force  all  their 
otilijj^atiiins  andi'dunections  with  the  I'niteil 
States.    The  other  Sttites  preferrlnji;  it  may  ' 
carry  on   the  war,  while  we   enjoy  peace, 
•without  injury  t<i  each  other  or  the  i'ederal  ' 
Constitution    unitinjr;  the  whole.     History 
ahounds  with    examples  of  su(di   transac- 
tions hy  confederated  States.     'JMiere  can 
he  no  impropriety  for  the   Xew  Em^land 
Stati>s   to  ask  permission  from  Con^^ress  to 
Btaud  neuter  in  a  war  wiiicli  tl'ey  opposed 
unanimously,  and  which    prov(\s  fital   to  ■ 
their  interests.     Tin.'  timid,  moderate  and  | 
prudent  need  nut  lie  alarmed  liy  a  proposi- 
tion ciintemplatfd  and  ]irovidcil  for  by  t"'e  | 
Constitution  itself,  of  whidi  the  only  effL    •  i 
will  bo  jieaceable   and   harmonious  resto  i 
ration  of  the  blcssinns  of  ptMice  to  those 
)i>ost  siilferiim   hy  war.     Connecticut   has  i 
already  ai^ted  on  that  chuis('  of  the  Federal 
Cimsritution  whiidi   forlmls   StiUes,  exceiit  j 
in  tim(>  of  war,  to  keep  troops,  by  raisinj;  a 
body  of  them  ]>y  act  of  tiie   Lejiislaturc  of 
that   cautious   commonwealth,    eonstruin;i  : 
the  war  to  iiuport  uu  uffinuatioa  of  that  i 


ri>iht,  to   raise    and   keep   forces  by   the 
State, 

Th(>  fact  asfumed  that  Xew  Fnjiland  was 
unanimous  ;i;i;ainst  tlo;  war,  as  the  basis  of 
that  ar^i'inient,  was  ml.dakeii.  All  the 
delci^ation  from  X'cniiout  in  Coii^'ress,  one 
from  .Massaidiusetts,  toj^ether  with  one 
Senator,  were  war  members  ;  and  thoiii^h 
majoriti(>s  of  all  the  I'lastern  States  were 
o|ip<i*'ed  to  th(!  federal  administration,  if 
they  were  also  against  th(!  war,  they  proved 
whin  the  Hartford  ('(invention  was  at- 
tiMiipted  next  year,  that  at  least  three  of 
the  five  \evv'  Kne;!aiid  Stat(!s  and  large 
majorities  of  the  people  of  the  whole  five 
were  erpially  averse  to  extreme  remedies, 
worse  than  the  most  exaggerated  fears  of 
the  disease.  To  the  project  of  a  separate 
peace  attemjUed  in  Isl;!,  the  Boston  nvoni- 
menilation  of  it  n(>vertheless  added,  if  Con- 
gress unreasonably  refuse,  it  will  then  re- 
main f)r  the  wise  and  prudent  to  decide 
what  we  ought  to  do,  when  n  just  and 
reasonable  and  eon.-titutional  reipuist  is 
refused,  (iovernor  Strong's  spe(H-h  to  the 
liCgislature  the  l*2th  of  tlannary,  \f<l4, 
high-wrought  against  tlie  war,  the  Federal 
(!ovi>rniiient  and  the  embargo  act  just  en- 
acted by  Congress,  gave  no  apjiareut  coun- 
tenance to  separate  peace  or  disunion. 

In  order  to  etfectuate  Mr.  Otis'  resolntioa 
for  support  of  (b)vernor  ChitteiuhMrs  revolt, 
not  only  the  Legislature,  liut  the  (iovernor 
of  3Iassachns(;tts  must  have  joined  in  it. 
But  tht^  Vermont  (iovernor  was  the  only- 
one  so  illegally  anti-federal,  and  he  in  1S14 
viHM'ed  round  from  extensive  opposition  to 
warm  supjiort  of  tlu;  war,  by  contradictory 
liroclamatioiis  ei|iially  remarkable.  The 
L(>gislatur(>s  of  Massachusetts  and  Connec- 
ticut liotli  went  beyond  the  (iovernors  of 
those  States  in  opposition  to  the  Federal 
(iovernment.  And  no  act  of  cons^titutcd 
authority  thrmigiioiit  the  contest  was  more 
mischievously  or  ungraciously  detrimental 
and  defying,  however  constitutional,  than 
tiiat  of  tlie  Legislature  (>f  iNfassiivhusetts, 
soon  iblliiwing  Mr.  Otis'  resolution  to  sup- 
port (iovernor  Ciiittenden.  On  the  "til 
February,  181 1,  it  was  resolved  to  withdraw 
the  State  jails  from  the  use  of  the  United 
States  fir  their  ]irisoners  of  war  at  a  mo- 
ment when  much  ntieded.  When  prisoners 
on  parole  were  seized  and  im)irisoned  as 
hostages,  threatened  with  dcatli,  Kngland 
had  great  advantage  liver  the  United  States 
for  the  execution  of  that  cnud  retaliation. 
American  jirisoners  at  Halifax  and  Ber- 
muda, (U"  in  Fiiglaiid,  found  no  s\-m])athies; 
whereas,  British  jirisoners  in  America, 
treasonably  ai(le(l  and  comforted  by  some, 
enjoyed  the  regret  of  many,  and  couuiiise- 
ration  of  nearly  all.  On  the  lOili  Xo- 
vemlior,  IS!.'),  three  hnndrod  American 
prisoners  were  crowded  into  two  small 
vessels  at  Halifax,  for  trans|nirlation  to 
England;  while  English  prisoners,  mostly 


CUAlj 

parol! 
imiir 

\.tll 

r.riti 

( 'olill' 

tagcs 

Jane 

Ceste 

IlniK 

used 

for  w 

saclii 

17Ui).| 


[1813. 
forces   hy    tlic 

iw  Kiii;Iiiii(I  was 
us  the  liiisis  uf 
ken.      All   t!ii3 
I  t'oiiirfcss,  (ino 
lii;r    with    .>nc 
s  ;  .'Mill  tlioiii;li 
•n  JSt.'itcs  wuro 
iiinistratidti,   if 
ar,  tlicy  iirovoil 
iitidii   Avas    at- 
Icast  thvoii  of 
.t(!s   and   largo 
tlio  wliolo  five 
OHIO  rc'iiiodics, 
'rated  foars  of 
of  a  sojnivate 
Boston  roconi- 
addod,  ifCon- 
t  will  then  re- 
lent to  deeido 
'n  a  just  anil 
lal    re(|U(?Ht   is 
speet-h  to  the 
iinuary,    IS 14, 
ir,  tin*  Federal 
;o  aet  just  en- 
pparont  eouu- 
di-^union. 
)tis'  resolution 
'uden's  revolt, 
tlie  (iovernor 
joined  in  it. 
Mas  the  onlv 
nd  he  in  Lsr4 
opposition  to 
eontradietorv 
kalde.      Th'e 
an<l  C'onneo- 
lo\ei'nors  of 
the  Federal 
f  constituted 
'St  Was  more 
f  detrimental 
itional,  than 
tssii\'husetts, 
ution  to  sup- 
On    the   7th 
to  withdraw 
the  United 
var  at  a  nio- 
'n  prisoners 
iprisoned  as 
h,  Knjiland 
nited  States 
retaliation, 
X  iind  l?er- 
<yinpathies; 
1    iVmci'ii'ii, 
'd  l}y  some, 
id  conimise- 
0    lOih   A'o- 
Aiufiiean 
two    small 
lorlation    to 
lers,  moMtly 


CiiAf.  T.] 


riiTSoyr.RS  or  war  iiELFAsrin. 


29 


iiaroled  ;...'.  '.indly  treated  in  America,  iC  rniti-d  States:"  " and  whereas,  several  pvi- 
iniprisoned  as  host.i;;es.  W(  re  nl'teu  emdd-  sonars  have  heen  eoiiimilleil  under  the 
va'j.ed  and  ussi- ted  to  escape.  ( 'ol,  Cliavles  lv-eeuti\e  anihorily  cd'  ihi'  I  ui'ed  Sintes. 
\.(irant.  dnjor  \  alletle.  and  several  other  tl.  keepers  of  the  State  jails  are  autiierl/ed 
l>ritisli  (iilieers,  on  par(de.  hy  order  of  the  '  and  rei|niri'd  to  diseharec  all  prisoners  of 
(.'oiumissarv-llenerjil,  were  eoiitined  as  lios-  j  war  within  thirty  days  I'rem  the  iiassin<:;  of 
tajres  ]>y  the  Marshal  (if  .Massaehnseif,  ]  this  Act."  Delitors' of  the  I'nited  Slates 
James  I'rince,  in  the  coniity  jail  at  "\Vor- 1  mi^rht  he  conlineil  in  the  State  jails,  and 
(•ester.  Il'i\inj;  no  federal  juisoiis,  the.  ill'enders  eooiniitteil  hy  .ludieial  aulhoritv, 
Uniieil  Slates  (Jovernment  have  always  i  lait  prisoners  (jf  war  and  others  plaeed  in 
nsed  the  State  jails  for  national  oll'enders  :  i  custody  Py  pre-iileiitial  order  were  set  free  ; 
for  which  an  Act  id' the  I,ei;islalure  of  Mas- j  and  the  nationcl  i^ioverium'Ut  was  deprived 
saidiU'ctts.  its  early  as  the 'Jf'ith  of  I'idiruai'y,  j  hy  the  Stat(^  eovcrnnient  id'  any  jdace  of 
17'.)'),  put  the  jails' of  that  State  at  the  ser-   confinement  for  prisoners  of  war  ii'  iMasisa' 


vice  of  th.e  riuted  States.  AVitliont  special 
leave  from  the  local  ]m  .vers,  Marshal  I'rince 
imprisoned  his  hostai^i'S  in  the  county  jail 
at  Worce  der,  takiii;;;  can!  l)y  increaseil  ]ire- 
caut'ons  to  secure  their  custody,  15ut  as 
piihiic  re]ai;rnance  contestc'd  all  his  niea- 


idiusetts. 

On  that  repudiation  Ly  ^Massachusetts, 
the  President  a]ipealed  to  I'ennsylvaniii, 
where  he  n(>ver  failed  to  Iind  reiii'>ss  on 
such  occasions.  l>y  letter  of  the  L'.'Sd  Fidi- 
ruary,  1S14.  the  Secretary  of  State  re(|uesteil 
Mires,  while  iii  th(>  act  of  lo(l;iiiip  lh(>  llnj:'-  (io\ernor  Suy.jer  to  a.utliorize  John  Smith, 
lish  in  jail,  their  lawyer,  iis  he  said  he  was,  the  Marshal  of  that  State,  to  confine  the 
denied' in  their  presence  the  ri^ht  (f  pi-  hostages  in  the  i'enitentiary  at  I'hiladel- 
vernment  to  confiiu>  them,  declaring!;  that  if ;  phia.  The  fiovernor  immeiliately,  on  the 
British  ojVicei's  were  arrested  he  was  ready  I  first  of  Mandi.  eommunicatcil  tlie  Seey(.- 
for  reliellion  :  which  ebullition  was  fcdloweil  [  tary's  l(>tter  to  the  Lee-islnture.  calling:  their 
as  well  as  pi'cceded  hy  intimations  from  ;  attention  to  the  siiliject,  who,  forthwith,  on 
other  interlo'.Mis  that  their  imprisonmeui,  j  the  third  day  of  that  month,  jiassed  a  hill, 
if  it  could  not  he  prevented.  sIio\dd  not  la-t  Asliich  the  ( lo\criior  at  once  ajiproved.  plae- 
long,  lait  their  escape  he  effected,  and  a  ini:  all  the  prisons,  sherill's,  and  jail  keepers 
person  offered  his  chaise  and  hoi'se  to  one  of  I'ennsylvania  at  thi'  service  of  the  I'resi- 
of  the  prisoners  f(,r  flight.  The  .Marshal,  |  dent  and  orders  of  the  Marshal  for  safe 
alarineil  hy  such  apjiearances,  and  fetirii  I;;  keeping  hostages,  ]irisoners,  or  any  other 


that  the  jail-keeper  could  not  he  relied  on, 
determineil  to  resuove  tli(>  hostages  to  Al- 
bany as  a  safer  place:  which  hecoming 
known,  caused  their  early  evasion.    Ahijah 


{lersons,  whose  safe  eustody  the  general 
governmejit  might  desire.  The  Pennsyl- 
vania Act  Vi'as  as  favorahle  in  sjdrit  and 
jierformance  as  the  Massaidiusetts  Act  was 


and  dacoh  Uigelow,  with  J.  AV.  Jenkins,  of ;  (diurlish  and  rcfiulsive  ;  and  thus  it  often 
the  neighhoring  town  of  Barrc,  were  said  j  hiqipens  that  the  extreme  opposition  of  one 
to  have  contrived  the  means,  and  on  the  State  to  the  Federal  goverumen.,  hy  reac- 
niglit  of  the  12lh  I'ecemlier.  lf<l.'i,  the  jiri- ]  tion  produces  entire  concurrence  of  other 
soners  knocked  down,  tied  and  gagged  the  i  States.  Some  of  the  hostages.  1  iwever, 
deputy  keeper,  and  got  otf.  The  Marshal  escaped  for  want  of  sufficient  custody  and 
ailvertised  a  reward  f'or  th(>ir  recajitiire.  aiui    .State  co-operation. 

live  of  nine  who  hroke  out  were  retaken,  hut  j  Ahusiiig  llie  rii'lit  of  jiopular  petition,  a 
the  other  four  escaped  entindy.  i'uring  all  |  remnant  of  Kngii^h  freedom  extremely  lia- 
tliese  proceedings,  whi(h  occasione(l  much  i  hie  to  American  licrversion,  and  iv  no 
public  sensation,  the  aid  and  comfort  of'iner.ns  always  indicating  the  true  p'uldic 
many  of  the  jircsses  of  M;issa(diiisetts  were  '  sentiment,  such  a  nuniher  of  places  rejire- 
openly  hestowed  on  the  Fiiglisli.  The  AVor- !  sented  Iti  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  as 
cesterOa/.ette  accused  the  Marshal  of  rude,  with  their  numerous  names  a. el  memhers 
nnfeiding  behaviour  to  the  prisoners,  in  i  ajipeaved  im])osing.  represeiiting  iiinetv 
whose  escajie  from  "Marshal  Prince,  a  lynx-  thousand  of  the  seven  hundretl  thousand 
eyed,  full-ldotrded  blood-h,. Iind  <if  Mr.  >iadi- 1  people  of  the  State.  |ietitioncd  the  l,e- 
soii,"  th(>  llostoii  !>aily  .Advertiser  warmly  gishitin(\  setting  forth  grievances,  whiih 
exulted:  calliiigthem  '"gallant (dticers. whom  i  were  nd'erred  to  a  joint  committee  of  both 
Jlr.  Madison  desired  to  answer  for  the  lives  I  Houses,  headed  by  a  n^spectable  gentle- 
of  self-acknowledged  traito'-a — victims  of  a  t  m;in.  James  Lloyd,  of  liostoii,  who  re- 
barharous  and  cruel  jiolicy."  The  setiiiel  j  i.ort.'d  in  Feliriiary.  1814,  elaborate  and 
of  such  sentimentality  soon  followed  in  the  ',  indignant  denunciation  of  the  embar"'o. 
Act  of  the  7th  February,  1S14.  i>!-;\iding  Uvav.  and  national  adminislraiion.  and  siir- 
tliat  "■  nothing  in  the  Act  of  tl!<' ',^1'ith  Febrii- '  uifuant  intimations  of  the  disujipointmeiit 
ary,  17'.l(l,  should  bi^  construeil  to  aiithori/.e  j  i  .\p(  rii  need  by  Massa(  husetts  fiom  (he  ex- 
the  kiH'iiers  of  jail-  within  the  conr.non- ;  pecteil  benefits  ol'  the  federal  union,  the 
Avealth  of  .Ma:  sacl'.iiselis  to  take  ciist(.ily(d',  .  value  of  which  was,  on  that  ofHidal  nc- 
and  keep  any  prisoners  committed  by  any  I  easion,  coldly  calculated.  Violent  debates 
Other  than  the  Judicial  authority  of  tlie  j  ensued,  iu  wliich  Joliu  iiolmes,  and  u  buiall 


il 


30 


MASSACirUSKTTS.-nKXTER. 


[1813. 


minority,  liroimto"!  linvvcly  a  fiirinidiilili' 
iiiuini-itv.  Ti'dwiIh  in  tin'  ;;;illi'rio,>i,  niiiiiy 
1)1'  fliiMii  int  'rc'ti'il  ill  ■<niii;i;i'linn,  or  ti'i'ii- 
SDtiiililc  trillii',  iiini  l>ri;i-.li  n.ci'iits  iViMun-nt- 
in;;  nil  pli'Ts  di'  |inMic  ri^nrt  '.vitli  /I'i'at 
inlliiiMii'i'  ill  tlii-<  ('()iintry,  Idiiilly  ;i|i|il:iiiili'tl 
the  must  si'ilitious  s|ii'imIiiw,  A  ( 'mn  iMition 
M;is  ]irii)>iiM("! :  Imt  ilir  joint  fonuuilt<'i'  rc- 
j)ort('il  tliiit  it  would  Ik>  JH'.-t  to  uait  lor 
iiiKitlmr  l,i';;isliit\ir('  to  !i]>])oint  (Iclc^jiiti's  to 
ini'(>t  otliiM's,  iilto;^i'tli(>r  to  ilcvi'^i'  sonii>  pliin 
of  ri'lii't  from  sntfrrinuN  more  intolcralilc 
than  tlioM!  iiillicti'il  hy  tin'  IJostoii  jioit-liill, 
"  \vhii;li  tlii'ir  aiKv'stors  fon^lit  and  Ijli'd  to 
resist,  and  it  would  lie  ])Usillaniiiious  in 
their  dL'scendants  to  sulmiit  to.  We  liav(^ 
8oen  a  power  f^row  iip  in  the  southern  and 
western  sections  of  the  union,  liy  the  ad- 
mission and  multiplieation  ol'  States  not 
contemplated  liy  tli(>  |iarties  to  the  Consti- 
tution, and  not  warranteil  hy  its  principles, 
■with  an  almost  inliiiiti'  proj^ress  in  this 
fysteni  of  creation,  which  threatens  event- 
ually to  reduce  tin.'  voice  of  New  Kn^iland, 
once  powerl'ul  and  (>t!'cetual  in  the  national 
councils,  to  the  feelde  ex])i'ession  of  e(donial 
complaints,  unattended  to  ami  disrcLtardeil. 
It  is  no  lonj^er  a  (piestion  of  force  or  ol'  rii;'ht 
with  this  Le;;islature,  hut  of  time  and  ex- 
pediency. We  do  not  see  the  approach  id' 
peace  in  the  vast  armaments  prepariii;!.  the 
vast  expense  accruing:,  the  demands  for 
Canada  in  one  (piavter  and  Florida  in  an- 
otimr;  in  the  late  apiiointment  of  envoys, 
one  of  w  hom  was  the  prominent  author  and 
adviser  of  the  war:  the  other  a  sulnnissive 
a,i;ent  in  jiroduidnj;  it ;  and  the  more  rei-ent 
addition  to  the  missioii  of  a  man  su]iposcd 
to  he  the  si'cret  controller  of  the  firmer 
mission,  and  vi\sted  with  powers  to  iuipeile 
its  pacitic  course."  In  such  terms  were 
IMr.  Clay  and  Mr.  dallatin  denounced  hy 
those  who  became  their  ardent  supporters. 
In  S:uiiuel  Dexter,  that  conjuncture 
brou^^ht  forth  a  ])atriot  federalist,  superior 
to  party  and  independent  of  Kxecutive 
favor;  excellent  s])ecimen  (d'  the  party  to 
which,  if  to  any,  Washinjrtoii  belon;r'>d. 
Trom  Wasliin:;ton,  where  he  was  attend- 
ing^ the  .Sujiri'iiie  Court  of  the  I'nited 
States,  .Mr.  Dexter,  on  the  ISth  February, 
l.Sl-K  addivssed  a  li>tter  throu,;2;h  the  I'.os- 
ton  Palladium  to  the  electors  of  Massa- 
chus(>tts,  which  nearly  placed  him  at  the 
head  of  that  commonwealth,  at  the  ensu- 
inj!;  election,  instead  <d'  (iovernor  Stroiii^. 
IK'uyiii;^  with  f;reat  force  the  constitu- 
tionality, expediency,  and  efHi-ieucy  of 
the  embarjjjo,  or  any  other  restrictive  mea- 
sure, and  arjj;uinir  that  the  whole  strenjrth 
of  thi^  nation  on  the  ocean  would  be  nnndi 
more  effectual  than  fronti(!r  and  territorial 
invasive  war,  Mr.  Dexter,  c(Micedinj!;  the 
"  umiuestionable  privilen;e  of  evcM'y  citizen 
to  oxainino  the  conduct  of  rulers,  though 
in  speaking  to  his  country  ho  may  be  over- 
borno  by  its  euumios,  yet  condemned  the 


abuse  of  that  right  by  publications   nnd 
speeches  to  prove  that  we  are  absolved  from 
;  allegiaiici'  to  the  national  go\ernment.  ami 
hint  that  an  attciii|it   to  ili\ic|c  the  empire 
'  might  be  ju-^tilicd.    The  Maslcrn  and  South- 
ern  Slates,"  said  Ic,  "are  made   for  eaidi 
'other.     A   man  and  woman   might  as  rea- 
I  sonablv  ipiari'td  on  account  of  the  dilference 
j  in   thi'ir  formalion.     \ew    lliigland  wouhl 
I  Soon  be  restoreil  from  inability  in  the  jio- 
litical   sy,';tem   if  impro|ier  expedients   Ibr 
siidileii  relief  were  abandoned."     'I'he  sen- 
sation and  etl'ect  of  suidi   patriotiir  appeals 
1  were  powerl'ul.     " 'J'he  principles  of  his  let- 
j  ter,"  said  a  Huston  press,  "will  paralyzo 
1  the  elforts  (d   New   iMigland  and    promote 
.  the  views  of  the  administration.     Of  what 
j  eonse(|uenee  is  his  theoretical  op|)osition  to 
I  the  emiiargo,  if  he  practically  supports  the 
i  war  and  taxes,  and  denounces  the  fcderal- 
'<  ists  as  active  spirits  and  ambitious  men." 
'  No  part  nt'  his  argument  was  more  comdu- 
[  sive  than  that  wlii(di   prel'erred  war  to  rv- 
'  strielioii.     "'I'he  history  ol'  civil  society," 
said   he,  "proves  that  with  all  the  crimes, 
desidation  and  misery  of  war,  it  is  ii  terrildo 
nec(>ssity,  and  man  must  (aibmit  to  his  des- 
tiny.    Still,  greater  evils  are  produced  liy 
pu-iillanimous    shrinking  from   conformity 
to  the  mysterious  law  of  his  present  con- 
dition.''    IMiilosopliy  like    this    taught    by 
an  eminent  citizen  of  New  Knglainl,  Secre- 
tary (d"  War   in  John    Adams'   federal  ad- 
ministration,   Vouched    by    th.it    venerable 
pers(uiage  from  his  retirement  near  Boston, 
and  by  his  distinguished  son,  then  almost 
thi>    only    iVnierican    minister    in    Kurope, 
couM    not    fail    of    important   inculcation. 
Continual  re-istance  of  thi'ir  own  govern- 
ment and  disparagement  of  the  union,  with 
extrava;';ant  \indication  of  all  Mnglisli  hos- 
tilities, naturally  sugiresleil    suspicions  of 
treasoiuible  collusion  with  the  enemy,  which 
the   Hritish  jiress,  if  not  government,  ])ro- 
vincial    as   well    as    metropolitan,    eonnte- 
uanci'd.      A    Halifax  journal,  of  the    Sth 
October,   ISI;!,   deploring    I'erry's   victory, 
exdaimi'd,  "  Had  we  not  tin;  means  of  being 
as  well  prepaied  as  the  Americans'/     Cer- 
tainly we    had    every   snpi^-iority   in    that 
res])ect  and  (>very  otlu'r;  but  most  wisely 
forbore  to  m;)ke  oU'eiisive  war  in  Canada, 
lest   our   friends   of  the    A'orthei'n    States 
should    be    ort'eniled,   and    therefore'    made 
actual  invasion  of  the  Southern  with  a  force 
inadeipiate  to  cause  a  diversion." 

]{y  the  mortifying  separation  and  dis- 
graceful retirement  into  winter  quarters  of 
the  disioinled  wings  of  AV'ilkinson's  ami 
Hampton's  army,  and  of  (iovernor  Chit- 
tenden's alarming  recall  of  the  N'ermont 
militia  I'rom  New  York,  when  the  northern 
fi'ontiers  were  distui-hed  by  uneasiness, 
that  tlu!  enemy  was  pi'epivring  sleds  ami 
other  appliances  for  a  winter  invasion 
of  Vermont  and  New  York,  to  attack  our 
outposts  and  subdue  our  dishovcllod  and 


I' 


Chap.  I. 

dispirit!' 
181:!,     at 
reinnant- 
which   b 
was    iiilii 

Michilim 
by  a   llri 
dUien   fr 
Boberts, 
Americai 
cially 
Hull,  wa 
our  go VI 
had    of 
tain   lie! 
regulars 
States   in 
Boned 
where 
flouri>iiiii 
twenty  ll 
August,  1 
by  (ieiu'r 
born,  am 
Detroit. 
a   few   so 
and  chilli 
of  such  s 
needed. 
Captain 
thirty    M 
I)carborn 
Detroit, 
ing  that  t 
Btores  dis 
to  Fort  Di 
the  fiictoi 
provisions 
nmmuniti 
take    awa 
Btroy,  tog 
the  numi 
five  hundi 
(lerly,  wh 
On  the  m 
Hull's  su 
1811',  the 
Women,  c 
gage  anil 
always  f; 
senco  of 
savages,  " 
ir.orseless 
111)  war  e 
with  his  '. 
up  the  r 
contigura 
necessary 
Huron,  b 
bank,  alii 
Hank.     1 
moved  m 
vast  prai 
the  lake, 
the    Indi 
mostly    1 

m 


[1813. 


Chap.  I. 


OARRISON  or  CIIICAflO. 


81 


JpMulvi'il  Iruii) 
■I'liiMi'iit,  ami 
!  till'  <'m]tir(' 

•II  Mini  Sollfll- 
llllc    (ill"    cilcll 

ii;i;lit  ;w  rcii- 
lic  iliHi'rciicc 
i;liiiii|  wiiiild 
!_)•  in  tilt'  |»>- 
;|i('ilii'iits  for 
."  Till,  scn- 
iiitii!  a|i)ii>iiU 

ll'S  (if  Ills   ll.'t- 

vili  iiaralvzo 
iiiil  |iriiiii(iti! 
n.  (If  what 
ii|i|)ositii)ii  to 

SU[l|l(ll-t.S  tlio 

_  the  fcdi-ral- 
itiiiiis  iiicii," 

llllll'C  ciiiicln- 

•  1  war  to  re- 
Nil  society,'' 
1  tlic  ('riiiicH, 
t  is  a  tcriilijo 
it  to  liis  ilcs- 
jirodiiccd  jpy 
I  conformity 
present  con- 
<   tauj;lit    liy 
jlaiid.  Seere- 
federal  ad- 
t    Ncnei'aMo 
tear  Hoston, 
then  almost 
in    Hiirope, 
ineuleation. 
iwn  j^ovei'ii- 
iiniiin,  with 
"iiulish  hos- 
spicioiis  of 
eiiiv,  whiuh 
inieiit,  jiro- 
m,    eoiinte- 
f  the    Stli 
v'h   victory, 
lis  (d'  heinj^ 
ans?     Cer- 
ty   in    that 
mist  wisely 
in  Canada, 
erii    States 
fore    imido 
iVlth  a  force 

n  and  dis- 
((uarters  (d' 
ison's  and 
riior  ('hit- 
!  N'crmont 
e  northern 
iiieasiness, 
sleds  and 
•  invasion 
attack  our 
relied  and 


dispirited     troops,    arrived  in    Novenilier.  [  hank,    some   kind   of  amlnisii,    in    Indian^ 
lHl;i,     at     IMattsiiiirjr.    from    (^leliee,    sad  i  tactics,  heinii  part  ol'  their  rude  science  of 


remnants  ot  the  infernal  hrntalities  with 
which  hy  savage  instriimentali'y  the  war 
vas  inhumanly  imiii;;iirated  in  Au;;\i^t, 
iHll.'.  On  the  17th  of  duly  that  year. 
Miidiilimacinai'  was  surprised  and  taken 
bv  a  ilritish  Canadian  and  Indian  expe- 
duien  from  St.  -loseph's,  led  hy  Captain 
Roherts,  whose  summons  to  surrender,  the 
AmericiiM  commander  Captain  Ileald  offi- 
cially wrote  to  his  superior,  (ieneral 
Kull,  was  (to  t\H'  everlastini;  dis;i;rac()  of 
our  }i;overnment)  the  first  information  he 
had  of  the  deiiaration  (d"  war.  Cap- 
tniii  Ileald,  with  a  j^airison  of  lifty-four 
regulars  of  the  first  re;;imeiit  (d'  I'nited 
States  infantry  and  twelve  militia,  j^arri- 
Boned  Fort  hearhoni  on  liiike  Huron, 
where  there  was  no  town,  now  the 
flourishiiij;'  city  of  Cliicajio,  id'  more  than 
twenty  thousand  inhaliilaiits.  On  the  <.lth 
Au;;ust,  \>'\'2,  Captain  Ileald  was  ordered 
by  (ieneral  Hull  to  evacuate  Fort  Dear- 
born, and  transfer  his  people  hy  land  to 
Detroit.  In  so  remote  a  frontier  post,  with 
a  few  soldiers,  there  were  many  women 
and  idiildren,  and  ii  coiisiderahle  (|uantity 
of  such  stores  as  the  neij;hlioiinii;  Indians 
needed.  Soon  after  ( Ieneral  Hull's  orders. 
Captain  Wells  from  Fort  AVayne,  with 
thirty  iMiami  Imlians,  arrived  at  Fort 
I)carhorii,  to  serve  as  part  id'  the  escort  to 
Detroit.  The  neijrhlioriiifj  Indians,  learn- 
inj;  that  the  Fort  was  to  hi'  evacuated  and 
stores  distriliuted  anioiij^  them,  tiocki'd  in 
to  Fort  Hearhorn.  to  whom  ail  the  ji;co(ls  in 
the  factory  and  a  consideraliie  (|uantily  of 
provisions  were  jriven.  Sin  h  arms  and 
nmmuiiition  as  Captain  llcnld  could  not 
take  away  lie  deemed  it  prudent  to  de- 
Btroy,  tojreiher  with  all  the  iicpior.  'riiouj;li 
the  numlier  of  Indians  was  lar;;'e,  four  or 
five  hundred,  yet  their  crafty  conduct  was  or- 
derly, wliile  maturinji  jilaiis  of  destruction. 
On  the  morninn;  of  the  inauspicious  day  of 
llnll's  surrender  at  Detndt,  ir)th  An<;ust. 
1<SI"2,  the  little  fi;arrison,  encumliercd  hy 
•women,  (diildren,  lar^'e  (piantities  of  lia;;- 
gaji;o  and  other  impediments,  lie^ian  that 
always  fatal  movenuMit,  a  retreat  in  iire- 
senco  of  a  superior  nnmlier  of  ferocious 
eava;;es,  whose  trea(diery,  rajiacity  and  re- 
li'.orseless  criielty  we*'  well  known,  thoiij;h 
no  war  existed  with  them.  Captain  A\'ells 
Avith  his  Mianiis  led  the  van  and  hrouj;ht 
lip  the  rear  of  the  departure,  which  the 
confijvuralion  of  the  country  rendered  it 
necessary  to  take  up  on  the  I. each  of  Lake 
Huron,  lietweeii  its  waters  and  a  hij^hsand 
liank,  ahoiit  a  hundred  yards  (jii  the  other 
flank.  In  that  delile  the  _i!;arrison  had  not 
moved  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  on  the 
vast  prairies  of  marshy  saiul  w  hiidi  marjiin 
the  lake,  when  the  alarm  was  given  that 
the    Indians    were    preparing   an    attack, 


war.  Captain  Heald  forthwith  gallantly 
led  his  company  to  the  top  of  tin;  hank, 
fired  one  di-chai'ge,  and  rushed  on  his  as- 
sailants in  frniit,  who  gave  way  iiiit  rallied 
on  their  Hanks.  In  tll'tei  n  minutes  tl\<) 
hundred  savages,  with  a  loss  of  eighteen 
(d'  their  niiuiher,  killed  twenty-six  of  tlio 
regulars,  Captain  Wells,  Fiisign  lIoma_\ne, 
|lr.  N'oorhis,  the  whide  tweUe  militiii 
men,  two  wonien,  twelve  children,  se\erely 
Wounded  Captain  Ileald  and  his  wife,  ami 
got  possession  of  all  the  horses,  haggago 
and  provisions.  ifciluceil  to  (Jiie  Lieu- 
tenant, Helm.  twciily-ti\e  iion-commi.s- 
sioiied  officers  and  privates,  (deven  women 
and  four  children,  deprived  id'  half  their 
force  and  everything  iiut  their  small  arms, 
Captain  Ileald  drew  olf  the  fragment  of 
sur\ivor.s  to  an  elevation  in  the'  open 
prairie,  out  of  gunshot  from  the  hank  op 
any  other  eovei'  for  his  foes  ;  who,  w  ilhout 
pursuing,  galhered  on  the  Imnk,  and  after 
some  consultation  among  themsehes,  mado 
signs  for  a  parley.  Captain  Heald  alono 
approached  them,  and  was  met  hy  IJIack- 
liird,  a  Fottowatlamie  idiief,  with  an  inter- 
preter; the  el'.ief  shook  hands,  rerpiired 
liim  to  siiireiider,  jiromising  that  the  livea 
of  all  the  prisoners  sho\dd  lie  spared. 
AVithi'Ut  much  conlidenco  in  the  promise, 
Cajitain  Heald,  in  tlu^  desperate  condition 
of  his  little  force,  with  hardly  any  option 
hut  comidianee,  which  gave  at  least  a 
chance  of  escape  with  life,  capitulated, 
and  delivered  up  all  the  arms  of  his  peo- 
ple, who  were  taken  hack  to  their  encamp- 
ment near  the  Fort.  'I'here  the  cajitives 
were  distrihuted  among  their  Indian  mas- 
ters, who  next  morning  Imrned  the  Fort 
and  hegan  their  march  cKewhere.  Cap- 
lain  Ileald  and  his  wife,  hotli  hadly 
Wounded,  were  taken  to  the  mouth  of  tho 
liiver  St.  Joseph,  and  sufl'ered  to  stay  there 
in  the  hut  of  liurnett,  an  Indian  trader, 
till,  in  a  few  days,  during  the  ahsence  of 
the  Indians,  who  nianlied  away  to  take 
Fort  AVayne,  Captain  Heald  engaged  a 
French  Canadian  to  convey  him  hy  water 
to  I'etroit,  Avhero,  with  tli(!  surgeon  attend- 
ing him,  ho  gave  himself  up  as  a  jirisoner 
to  Cajitain  Hidierts,  who  afforded  every 
assistance  in  his  power  to  render  the  for- 
lorn situation  of  Cajitain  Ileald  and  his 
wife  as  comfortahle  as  ])os,-ilt|e,  jiaroled 
him,  ami  allowcMl  him  to  proceed  to  Hetndt. 
There  (,'aptain  Heald  found  Colonel  i'roo- 
tor  in  command  ;  from  whom  also  he  re- 
ceived kindness,  and  a  passage  to  IJufialo, 
whence,  hy  the  way  of  l'res(|ue  Isle,  the 
Captain  went  liy  water  to  end  the  ji-urney 
(d'  his  mishaps  at  I'ittsl.urgh.  hut  far 
worse  than  his  was  (he  dreadful  fate  of  id.'? 
unfortunate  comrades  in  cajitivity,  except 
Lieutenant  Holm,  wdio  was  ahle  to  ransom 


- '  . .-       ["v£ ^     ....     ........  .^,      ■........>>-■>■»  J  &... ill,,    ,.  ,iv/    ^.i.'.iiuu-    ini;Ml>iOlll 

mostly    I'ottowiittumies    from   behind   tho  |  hiui«C'lf  from  savage  custody.     Of  the  ro- 


19 


NKWFOIXDLA 


IJiiiinin^  twi'iity-livc  nuii.  flcvcii  wmni'ii 
nml  cliililrfii.  tliifl_\-»ix  iilliiy:i'lli.r,  twniiy- 

ScM'II  \MT"'  lilllrlicri'il  wirll  I'MTV  lilllli,inil|s 

rr'iiM'iiii'Mi  I'l'  iii'li ijf  ci'imIiv.    'I'Iic  Ih'miIs 

i)t' ('ii[it:iiii  \\  ills,  l')iisij:ii  l!.iiiiM_viii- Mini  l>i'. 
A'lHii'liis  Were  h>rii  iVimi  tlirir  (li»ti;.'iin'cl 
Ciii'|isi>s  mill  lnNiilril,  mill  tiiiir  lu'inls  cut  nfV 
liv  tin'  Hiivinjcs  lii'l'iin^  siiivi\iii}r  iiriHuiH-rs, 
V'itni>ssi>x  III'  till'  lpii'i-il>|i>  t'xultiitinii.  In 
(MIC  \va;ri>n  Mcvrriii  cliiiili'i'ii  witi'  iinissiuTril 

ail'l  si';il|i('il  \\  itil  Vi'lN  111'  ili'llinnillc  t|rlii;llt. 

I'lio  wil'i'  111'  I'lii'liiii  Ciiliiii,  ill  nil  inlvmici'il 

BtlltO    llf    |MTn||iUli'_V.     win    tiilliullliwki'il     to 

dentil,  Hi-iilpi'il,  ri|i|ii'il  ii|M>ii,  till'  chilli 
ilrii;;jii'il  I'nim  licr  wmiih,  and  its  licml  cut 
oil".  A  cliilil  (if  .liiliii  Nt'inls,  aiiotlicr  chI- 
(lior,  wiiH  tii'il  til  a  trco  to  in'cvciit  its  I'ol- 
lowinj^  Ills  wifi',  tlic  iiintlicr  nC  it,  til'tcr 
vliiiiu  till"  cliilil  went  cniu;;  Cor  fooil. 
Tilt'  wrt'ti'lii'il  niiitlicr  iicrislicil  on  tin' 
luiirch  from  Imn^cr  ami  fati^iiic.  Hiijrli 
]ji);;an,  tin  Irish,  ami  An<:iistiis  Mott,  a 
(Icrinan  soMiiT,  worn  mit  with  I'atiijiiic  ami 
inialilu  to  walk,  were  tniiiahawkiMl  for  that 
reason.  Xelson,  aiiotlnT,  was  Cro/.cn  to 
death  afterwai'ils  in  the  winter  when  serv- 
itii;  us  11  honilsnimi  aiiioiij:  the  Imliaiis. 
The  nine  survivors  of  the  whole  fiavrison 
taken  to  the  hanks  of  Fox  lliver,  Illinois, 
Were  there  |iavcolleil  (ait  as  servants  to 
dilferent  liiilian  masters;  in  which  a^f^ra- 
Viition  of  captivity  and  liondaj^e  they  I'e- 
iniiined  all  tlnit  siinnner,  nutiiimi,  winter, 
and  part  of  next  spriii;;.  allowed  scarcely 
susteiianeo  eiiou;;li  to  keep  tlioiu  ali\e, 
Coiii|ielled  to  the  severest  tlrinlirery,  with- 
out clothes,  hods,  or  any  kind  of  comfort, 
the  derision  and  sjiort  of  the  worse  than 
Spartan  musters,  of  worse  than  Anierican 
helots.  At  length  taken  l»aek  to  (;hica;io 
for  sale,  they  were  there  purchased  hy  an- 
other Fremdi  Canadian,  hy  (ieiicral  I'roc- 
tor's  direction  sent  to  Aniherstlair;.',  and 
tlienco  to  (^lehcc.  where  they  arrived  the 
8th  Novoniher,  l.'^Kl.  Kxclianii'd  and 
liberated  there,  the  nine  iniseralile  remains 
of  the  ftarrison  of  Tort  l>earlHirn,  when 
evacuated  the  '.tth  Auiiust.  1S12,  reached 
!*hittsl)ur.ii;,  the  last  stauje  of  their  dejdora- 
lile  pil;>;rimaii;e,  in  Novemher,  ls|;i.  afttn' 
fifteen  months  of  hardslii]ps,  jirivatioiis  and 
cruel  siiiferinj;s,  whicii  to  most  of  their 
companions  |iroved  fatal,  and  hy  many 
persons  may  lie  deemed  incredihle,  yet  an 
nutlienticiited  tale  of  war  calamitous  and 
atrocious. 

'i'lie  autumn  of  1^1.1  admonished  New 
Fiiii^lmid  <d'  their  deiiendence  on  the  na- 
tional i^overninent  of  all  the  I'nited  States 
to  miiiiii  <iii  an  essential  (deineiit  of  thou;ili 
general,  ye;  nore  es|  i-cially  Eastern,  hcne- 
Ht — th  ;  i\(',v''i  aml\  iid  lisheries.  '{'he  |ieo- 
ple  of  New  l';ii;ihHi(i  had  liecii  for  seven  or 
eii^hr  veari^  loud  coiiiiilaiii.ints  of  their 
nationai  j!;o\er!iment  ;  iirst,  for  unresisted 
En^lisii  and  French  dejiredations  on  their 
commerce,  then  fur  the  embargo  and  Sue- 


s'I>  FisirniiTKs.  [m.]. 

♦ — 

I  cessive  Hta;j;es  of  the  rovtrietive  Hvstem, 
uhirli,  like  i'liaii;:'es  of  position  o|i  an  iiii- 
easy  lied,  scarcely  relicNcd,  if  they  did  ii't 
icriTiiiMite  llie  disorder,  and  at  la^l  for  war, 
which    hvoiijrht  on    its   most   paiiifiil   aiel 

!  alariiiin;:  crisis.  War.  not  resorted  to  wieii 
they  ur):eil  it,  soon  ceased  to  ha\('  commerci' 
for  IV  cause.  Nothing;  reiiii  ined  hut  pi' ■ 
lection  of  seamen,  for  any  o.ie  of  whom, 
imiiressed  and  inijirisonid  an  1  forced  tn 
li;rlit  a;raiiist  his  country,  as  miinv  mi.riiiei> 
of  New  Fiiiiland  were,  (treat  llr  tain  wou!il 
have  /^oiie  to  war  loiii^  hcl'orc  the  Inited 
Stales  ventured  it  for  thousands.  A  ;;reat 
nnrserv  once  of  the  Freiu  h  marine,  when 
it  nearly  ei|ualled  the  Fn^ilish,  and  then  of 
the  Kii^li-h  and  American,  was  in  diin;ier 
of  licinj^  wrested  fi'om  its  \ew  l)ii}ilnnd  oc- 
cupants, and  made  the  exclusivt^  lU'operty 
of  F)n;;land.  What  once  employed  twenty 
thousand  French  seamen,  and  after  theia 
til'leen  hiindreil  Anierican  tisliin;;  smacks, 
on  the  coasts  of  Newfoundland,  wnrenah'ed 
the  Kiii^lish  navy  to  hold  exidusividy.  A 
nieetin^tof  mendiants  and  principal  re^idei 
inhahitants,  interested  in  the  trade  and  lisli- 
eries  of  Xewl'oundland,  at  the  .Mendiants' 
Hall  in  St.  .John's,  the  27th  Octoher,  ISFi, 
dames  Maidiriiire,  a  shrewd  and  eiiti  r- 
prisin;;  Scot,  presidiiifj;,  memorialized  Sir 
Ikichard  (ioodwin  Keats,  the  (iovernor  of 
tlii^  Island,  hy  an  application  whi'di  !io 
undertook  to  hear  to  Kn^rland  find  lay  at 
the  Kinjj's  feet,  in  terms,  said  tlii^  llostmi 
Centimd,  alarmin;rly  interestinjf.  Xo  jieaii' 
without  the  tisheries,  was  their  cry.  '■Con- 
ceiving that  our  existence  as  a  f^reat  ami 
iiii|e|iendent  nation  must  (diietly  depend 
upon  our  iireservin;;  'he  sovereii;nty  ol'  ihr 
seas,  the  policy  of  excludini!;  France  and 
America  from  the  advanta.t;es  those  nations 
have  heretofore  enjoyed,  in  times  of  iieace, 
in  this  lishery,  must  he  evident."  Tln' 
wisdom  of  Uritisli  exclusive  occii|(ation  of 
all  the  Xorth-Kastern  seas  and  coasts  of 
.\merica  was  then  ar^fited  hy  the  menin- 
rialists,  not  only  as  a  nursery  of  s(^ameii, 
hut  as  a  means  of  preventing;  illicit  trade — 
and  the  infiisinp;  insuhordinate  notions  hy 
the  Americans  anion;,;  the  British  jieoplenf 
Xewl'oiiiidland  :  evils  exteiidln;:;  to  their 
West  India  and  Fliiioj  can  commeree,  ami 
distiirhinu;  their  colo.iial  lidcdity.  "Our 
existence  as  a  j;re;'.t  am'  i'  dejieiideiit  na- 
tion de|iends  on  o.'v  th minion  on  tli(>  ocean, 
and  the  wise  pidiey  of  shuttin;i  out  other 
nations  lea;;ued  against  us  in  war  from  a 
future  |iarticipiitii)n  in  so  important  a 
hraiich  of  commerce.  Hostilities  witii 
America  increasi^  our  trade  and  mariners, 
decreasiu;;  thidrs  in  the  sanu!  proiiortion." 
This  suliject  will  he  fully  treated  when  tin' 
ne^cotiations  of  (ilient  are  eonsid(;red.  At 
present  the  Fny;lish  ju'ovincial  suf;;j;estiiiM 
of  an  attempt  so  fatal  to  Ameriean  iiaviL'a- 
tion,  is  mentioned  in  the  order  of  event.s  as 
one  of  those  whicli  British  successes  and 


ClIAl' 


i 


[ISM, 

'trictivo  HVMti'iii, 
>itiiiti  nil  iiii  Mil- 
.  it'  tiny  dill  imt 

I  at  111-*!   Inl'  Will-. 

list  piiinrui  iiii'l 
r(>H(irtc'il  to  wli'ii 

I  llil\('  ciililllKMr'' 

lit  iiii'd  liiit  iii'o- 
'i   ci.ic   (if   wlmijl, 

I     (III   1     tliri'l>l|      tn 

'i  iiiiih V  iiii.i  iiii'i'- 
lit  Itr  tiiiii  wiiiiM 
('.in'   ilu)  riiiti'ij 
siinils.     A  j^rcfit 
li  niariiu',  wlicn 
'\A\,  and  tlicii  iif 
I,  was  ill  diiiini.r 
lew  Kiijflaiid  lie- 
diisivn  )ini|i('rty 
iii|d(iy('d  twenty 
and  aftiT  tlii'iii 
(isiiiii;;  sniiicks, 
tid,  warciiali'cil 
i'.\cliisiv(dy.      A 
•iii('i]ialn'siil(i  , 
I'  trade  and  lisji- 
tlie   MeriliiiMt>' 
1  Oet(dier,  l.sl:',, 
\vd    and   enter- 
emoriallzod  Sir 
ho  (idverimr  nf 
ition  wliitdi    'lo 
land  and  lay  at 
aid  the   ISnstdH 
Uinji.    No  jieacc 
leirery.    "(Jini- 
as  a  fii;i'oat  and 
eliiefly  de|i('ii'l 
•ereiirnty  ol'  llir 
iiji   l''raiii>(>  iiihl 
's  those  nations 
times  id"  jieaee, 
evident."     Tlh' 
J  oeciipatioii  (,|' 
and  coasts  of 
liy  lilt'  iiionm- 
Dry  of  seamen, 
'X  illicit  trade— 
late  notions  liv 
ritisli  jieojile  nf 
iiillii;!;    to    their 
coniniorce.  und 
lidelity.     "Our 
dept'iident  na- 
m  on  the  ocean, 
tin^  out  other 
in  war  Croni  ii 
I   ini))ortant    a 
ostilities    with 
and  mariners, 
0  ]ir()]Mirtion." 
'ate<l  when  tlu' 
)iisid(!red.     At 
•ial  suggestion 
lerican  iniviira- 
er  of  events  us 
successes  and 


TKXAS-MKXK'O— SPANISH  AMF.KKA. 


(JllAI-.  I] 

iiiirit  of  ii;;p:ri\ndi/.eiueiit  encoiinined,  to 
Quite  till'  American  iiatinii  and  illustrate 
tlii'ir  ri'«i-taioe  totireat  llrilaiii.  Nut  a 
^rord  was  littered  from  the  South  or  A\''sf 
Suainsl  war  for  the  Knsiern  ii'-herie-.,  i  li.' 
pre-irvutiou  of  which  for  \ew  Kii^rlaiel, 
Hie  -terii    States,    most    interesteil,    felt 

deiH 

N 


33 


(em    States,    most  .  _ 

led   oil    national    eti'orts,    which   nil 


lire  coiiiiiiittiiij:  hostilities  n^riiinst  tin  I 'nil.  .1 
States  ill  every  possililc  form,  and  uudi  r 
c\erv  ciriiiiii>'iaiii'e  uf  ii;j:^ra\aii"U  ;    lie  ir 

lliig  I ei\ed  with  liiiiior  ill  iiiir  |iorts,  miM 

treated  with  iiidi;ziiily  in  theirs.  >\  hit  t 
(heir  ■  iilijects  are  receiM'd  in  iliis  cmiiiiiy 
wil'i  liosiiitality,  our  citizens  are  loaded 
witli  ell  liiiM  and  |duii;;ed  in   diin;:e'iiis  in 


deiieiidcd   on    national    efforts,    wliicii   nil  witli  cli  iinn  ami  iiiuii;,'eii  in   iiiin;:e.iiis  in 

New     Mii;;land,    unanimously    joined    to-  llieir  eohmies.     'I'lii'  indeninities  for  s|M.|i- 

Si'ther,  ciiuld  never  lia\e  achieved  without  atioiis  Ion;;  siiict;  ilckiiow  ledjied  to  he  duo 
le  co-o|ii'ration  of  .Vinericiin  |)eo|ilr  md  and  le|iiiilated,  are  still  withheld.  The 
States,  anparenlly  without  interest  in  the  sava;re.s  reeeive  tln'  arms  mid  aniuiiinitii.rs 
qiiesti  III.  'I'he  '  iNewfoundlaiid  fi«.lieries  w  ith  which  they  slii(i;,':hter  our  frontier  set- 
were    moreover,  near   those  settlements  of :  tiers,  fiiiiii  fliel  ioveriior  of  I'' ii^^iicohi.    'I'lio 


AiiKM'ican   and   Hritlsli  North  !  are  now  rea|iin<i  the  latter  fruits  of  the  fac- 
t  the  only  distiirhed  parts  '  tioiis  temi'ir  of  tliosi;  who  distno't  and  dir- 

};rac(>  that  once  august  hoily.  No  lionorahhj 
or  safe  alternative  remains,  hut  an  ojien, 
maiily  declarafion  id' war  against  tliecoim- 
ti'      ■"  ■  "  ■  


In    ISI 

America  were  i j  --       -  ,  -. - 

of  the  western  liemis|diere,  destined  hy  its 
jiolitical  innovations  to  shake  the  Kuro|iean 
foiitineiit  with  similar  coinniDtions.  In  the 
lieart  of  Mexico,  a  hand  of  revolutionary 
jiatriots  attein|ited  the  cause  of  freedom; 

seized  Acajiiilco,  tin!  most  considerahh*  and  ^   .  

imiiortant  port  on  the  South  Sea,  and  were    Tlienoutralit; 
paid  to  he  uniting  with  great  force.     Carai;- 1  to  our  eiieniy, 


:ries  in  possession  of  the  royalistsid' Spain, 
"  This  mi'asiir((  would  invigorate  and  ren- 
der effectual  the  war  against  (ireiit  lirilain, 
Tlieiieutrality  of  Spain  is  advantageous  only 
Her  courts  of  admiralty  dis- 


sent  several  thousand  troops  to  suhdiie  the  |  a  golden  harvest;  whilst  it  would  deprive 
insurrection  at  Huenos  Ayres.     Nearer  the    the  IJritish  id"  tlu'  supplies  they  now  draw 


-  .  --.  -     .     ..le 

United  States,  Texas  was  in  nnjtion.  On 
the  dtli  tfiily,  1«I.'5,  l>on  Jose  IJernardo 
(iiitieres,  from  the  governnient  house  of  St. 
IJi'rnardo  do  IJoxai'.  in  the  third  year  of  in 


dependence,  proidaiiued  that  of  'J'exas  to    to  fortune  and   to  fame.     'I  ho  JiannorH  tif 


he  IJritish  id'  tlu'  supplies  they  now  drav 
from  this  country  umier  the  Spanish  flag. 

"The  vast  regions  of  Spanish  Aiiiericii 
would  open  a  hoiindless  field  for  tlio  enter- 
prise of  our  voung  countrvmen  who  aHidn 
4.   p  ..L _!..!    1...    c. ' 'ei._   1 


the  fri*iids  of  vhe  .Mexican  cause.     On  tin 
27tli  Septemlier,  iHKi,  from  the  palace  of 


repuldicanisni  invite  them  to  flock  thitlier. 

This  sacred  cause  demands  the  synipathy 

Our  aid  aiid  inter- 


^,     l„         .      V     |.V>     ....,.,    ,       ^.       .-., V...-  ,..,.,.,    V.        ...  ......        .■..^..^. V        ,.^. ...v>        .<,.,,,,...>,,, 

the  Executive  power  of  the  province  of  of  every  free  )ieo)do.  t)nr  aid  and  inter- 
Texas,  at  San  Antonio,  the  government  of!  ference  would  he  decisive;,  and  insure  the 
that  independent  state,  liy  proclamation  of  |  eternal  separation  of  the  New  from  the  Old 
]>on  Jose  Alvarado  Toledo,  to  foreigners  of  World ;  an  event  whiidi    sound  policy  de- 

i!    _    _ i:.._.i.„    .       I'   t.'       •..      1 1.     ii.  .1.    .1.    -.11     1.  . 1  _.     ■ _ 


every  nation  excepting  iliohc  of  Spain,  di 
nounced  the  barbarous  laws  of  the  Spanisli 
government  to  prrvent  the  cstablishnient 
of  foreigners  in  their  provinces,  and  an- 
nounced a  free  govi^riinient  to  succeed  the 


inands  that  we  should  liasten  by  every 
means  in  our  power.  The  Spanisli  royal- 
ists are,  in  fact,  at  war  with  us,  and  none 
of  the  sacrifices  we  now  make  would  bo  en- 
hanced bv  a  war  against  them.     On    the 


ancient  tyranny,  with  tran((uil   eniiyinent  i  contrary,  the  pressure  of  the  war  with  Cjiroafc 

of  all  social  rights  and  religions  oiiiniiiis.  '  IJritain  would  be  alleviated  by  it,    Tliev  are 
;.,   .,   ..i:. ,...»,.   _ _i...i.i.,  1....1.1 1   ....:i    i.....i  . :.,  i.„,.  i....,,i..   .,.,.i„! ,r 'x.l,.. 


mere  toolsin  her  hands,  and  as  smdi  ought  to 
lie  treated.  An  animating  prospect  of  glory 
and  of  gain  would  ojien  upon  us,  in  such  a 
<-ontest.     In  the  veins  of  the  republicans  of 


^ -    '    r^ -     ^       "I 

in  a  cliiuate  remarkably  healthy  and  soil 
favoured  bv  the  gifts  "f  Nature, 

Henry  Wheaton,  afterwards,  so  long 
American  envoy  in  ditl'erent  parts  of  Eu- 
rope, distingui^'ied  by  his  works  on  the 
laws  of  captuv  •;  and  of  nations,  asked,  in 
his  journal,  tl.  •  National  Advnc.iie,   "Why 

are  we  not  at  war  with  Split,       Wliilst  the  _    ^ „ 

republican  jiatriots  of  Sptiuish  Americn  ire  |  Orttensiblo  deputies  of   tyrants   exercising 
struggling  with  their  tyrants,  those  tyr  ate  i  tl'.eir  vuurped  authority  in  the  name  of  a 


Spanish  America  flows  the  mingled  blood 
of  the  Mexicans  and  Castilians.  'I'heyaro 
wiu'thy  of  our  friendship;  whilst  the*  rest 
ire  Tiie  refuse  and  scum  of  old  Spain — the 


84 


NAPOLEON. 

— »- 


[1813. 


prinop,  who  is  a  prlsonpr  in  Frnncc,  but 
tli(i  I't'ul  viccniy  itl'  Knulainl,  from  wlidin 
tlii'V  nH'('iv(!  tliL'ir  orders,  and  whoso  man- 
dati's  thoy  obey." 

'I'lic  Hduth  nf"  North  Aniovica,  and  South 
Anicricii,  wcvn  shakon  Mith  those  jiolitieal 
tempests,  wliieli,  in  Si>:inisli  eoUmies  u]i- 
rootin^;;  Kuro])ean,  iiave   sinee   (hine    littU' 


liy  the  consent  of  the  people  its  pjovernors ; 
at  the  same  time  declaring  its  indisposition 
to  afford  them  aid  or  sii|>p(irt.  Such,  wo 
helieve,  has  ))een  the  eon<hict  of  our  ji;overn- 
ment,  wiiich  we  lielieve  nof;;ood  citizen  can 
condemn.  It  has  ljei>n  fair,  honorable,  and 
consistentwitiiourrehitions  to  l)otii  parties." 
Jtevivcd  lilte  Antanis  from  tlie  catastrophe 


more  tlian  plant  American  misii;overnnu'nt ;    of  his  mad  winter  invasion  of  Hussia,  the 
whil(!  tlie  wonderful  trani(uillity  and  ]>ros-    Kmjteror  of  the  French  with  armies  sprnnj; 

t>ority  of  Texas  finally  become  one  of  the  J  as  the  men  of  Cadmus  also  from  the  earth, 
'iiit(>d  States,  seems  to  prove  that  the  Saxon  i  at  first  discomfited  and  ilisheartened  once 
is  more  capable  than  the  Moorish  race  of  |  more  his  desperate  enemies,  led  by  Herna- 
8clf"-<;overnineiit.  j  (lotto  and  Moreau;  and  the  delusive  anni- 

Uii  the  0th  November,  ISlo,  the  Ameri-jstice  of  I'ra^iie  preluded  his    destruction. 
can    Executive,  l)y  a  semi-official  jniblica- 1  Twice  was  his  great  {^(Miiiis  blind  to  Ameri- 


tion  in  the  National  rntelliifcneer,  declared 
those  American  principles  respectinj;  T(>xas 
and  Mexico,  which  have  been  since  always 
observed. 

"'fhe  revolution  in  Mexico,  to  which  our 
attention  has  been  recently  more  jiarticii- 


can  views  whiidi  ini<^ht  have  saved  him;  first, 
wli(>n  he  p(>rniitted  a  scientific  l)oard  to  re- 
ject Fulton's  steam  navigation,  and  ap;ain 
when  he  failed  to  perceive  that  a  Frenidi 
squadron  sweejiinj!;  the  American  coast 
would    have    relieved    his   Fremdi,   Dutch, 


liirly  drawn,  by  the  notorious  fact  that :  and  Italian  ports  from  Fnj;lisli  blockade, 
many  of  (uir  citiz(>ns  had  unlawfully  cm- ;  and  ]iera(iAentiire  turned  the  cbbinji' tide  of 
liarked  in  it,  appears  to  be  at  last  arn^sted  I  fortune  in  his  favor.  Aina/.ed  byuiilooked- 
in  its  projrress,  by  the  recent  <icfeat  of  the  '  for  ami  iiicredibh>  naval  victories  of  the 
forces  of  those  who  call(>d  themselves  the  j  Americans  over  the  F.njrlish,  who  had  so 
republicans  or  jiatriots,  and  whose  avowed  i  easily  and  utti>rly  (l(Mti(dislied  the  murines 
and  no  doubt  real  object  was  to  subvert  the  '  of  France,  of  Holland,  and  of  S]>ain,  Na- 
existinj!;  rejtal  j2;overnment,  and  substitute  ■  jioleoii,  awakinj^  too  late  from  his  fatal 
therefor  a  government  of  kindred  nature  '  negligence  of  American  hostility  to  (ireat 
with  that  which  [irevails  in  these  states.  |  IJritain,  important,  even  vital  as  it  might 
The  strife  is  j)robabl\  not  terminated;  be- !  have  been  rendereil  to  previMit  his  own 
cause,  without  a  real  head  to  the  government  downfall,  in  the  midst  of  overwlielming  mi- 
it  is  impossibh;  that  a  monarchical  sway,  litary  occupations,  political  negotiations, 
very  nearly  allied  to  despotism,  can  long  personal  and  dynastic  aiuKieties  at  Dresden, 
prevail,  in  a  country  in  the  imniediafe  vici-    found   time  to  write,  on   the  7tli   August, 


nity  of  a  nation  of  freemen,  with  which  it 
must  daily  and  Ik  airly  have  a  more  free  and 
generous  iin'rcourse. 

"  The  part  which  our  government  has  pur- 
sued in  regard  to  the  intestine  ccanniotions 
in  the  territory  in  question,  has  Ijeen  such 
as  liarmoni/.(!d  with  that  integrity  of  cha- 
racter it  has  never  failed  to  maintain. 
Solicited  to  take  ]iart  in  the  war,  it  has 
mildly  but  positively  refusi^l  its  int(>rf(>renee 
in  the  liroii,  and  avowed  and  maintaineil  ii 

fierfect  neutrality  lietwecii  tl)i>s(>  minor  bel- 
igcrents.     It  has  spoken  to  them  this  lan- 
guage:— We  can   i  nly  know  in  a  foreign 

territory    its   constituted    authorities.       So  1  and   at  Cherbourg,  will  manoeuvre   in  tho 
long   as   tho   royalists    h(dil    the    reins    of  1  roails,  and  give   lis  to   understand  what  to 
government,  we  are  bound,  provided  they  i  think  of  the  model."     Such  an  order  a  year 
deal  justly  l)y  us,  to  recognize  their  autho- 
rity.    Our  ideas  <  ''  <T<ivernment,  our  preju- 
dice in  favor  of  repuolican  principles,  <,.;r 


iSi;?,  an  official  letter  to  his  long  tried 
minister  of  Marine,  DecrC's,  Jose|ili  I5ona- 
parte's  nephew  by  marriage,  dinniting  him 
to  have  frigates  faiilt  like  the  Amin'icans. 
That  part  of  a  long  letter  full  of  naval  de- 
tails IS  as  f(dlows: — "You  will  receive  a 
decree,  by  which  1  order  the  building  at 
Toulon,  at  Kochefort,  and  at  Cherbourg,  of 
a  frigate  of  American  construction.  1  am 
certain  thsit  the  lOnglish  have  had  liuilt  a  con- 
siderable niiiuiier  of  frigates  on  that  modtd. 
'I' bey  go  better,  anil  they  adojit  them  ;  wo 
must  not  be  liehindhand.  'I'hose  whicdi 
you  will  have  built  at  Toulon,  at  Hochefort, 


desire  that  they  shall  diffuse  tiiemselves 
tliroughout  the  world,  cannot  alter  the  fact 
that  tho  royalist  party  are  at  )iresent  the 
legal  sovereigns  of  the  country,  and  as  such 
we  shall  respect  them.  On  the  other  hand, 
to    the   representatives   of  the   republican 

fiarty  v/ho  sougiit  our  aid,  our  government 
lave  n<)(l(Ulbtl^xpressed  their  perfect  readi- 
ness to  recognize  them,  should  (hey  obtain 
poseeBsiou  of  the  govcruinent,  and  become 


sooner,  and  the  frigates  sent  to  mano'uvro 
on  the  American  coasts  instead  of  in 
French  roadsteads,  might  have  kept  Na- 
]ioleoii  on  the  tlirime,  even  though  every 
OIK!  of  the  French  frigates  built  on  tho 
American  model  had  been  captured  by  tho 
Fnglish  enemj'  of  Franco  and  the  United 
States.  His  wish  was,  that  the  Congress 
of  I'rague  should  iie  composed  of  niinistera 
from  the  United  States,  as  well  as  France, 
Denmark,  and  other  states,  if  i.ny,  not 
coniliined  against  hiin,  together  with  tlioso 
from  Kussiii,  Prussii',  England,  aud  the  rust 


Cn.\r. 

of  Ku 

tardy, 

ment 

rican 

tcstin; 

Natioi 

poleoi 

any 

by  th 

hoped 

his    ti 

dizem 

nil  pr 

Amer 

time  f 

time 

The 

tion, 

next  s 

setts, 

implie 

incide 

fare,  t( 

ofFre 

Amer 

Madis 

polcoi 

iiig,at 

hopiii; 

f<ir  a 

Englii- 


[1813. 


Chap.  I.] 


REGENT'S  SPEECHES  IN  PARLIAMENT. 


35 


Iwiui'if,  of 


of  Europe  confodoratod  for  liis  overthrow:  I  rejiort,  tlioy  ontroatiMl  liIs  ninjosty'.«_  royal 
tardv,  anil  as  it  wor(>,  posthiiinoiis  atoiio- ]  assent  t<j  a  hill  to  cnaMi'  him  to  I'aisc  livo 
uicn't  for  his  iiiisa|ii)rt'»'intinii  of  Hk;  Anic- 1  millions  of  jiounds  storlinji.  _  Afti'r  con- 
rii-an  war.  ^hulison's  ailniiiiistvation,  jiro- 1  dc: ci'iiilin^  to  assent,  the  l'r!n<'0  l>o;i('nt 
tostinj;  with  trntli,  ami  pulilishin^  in  tin'  \  reidied,  merely  and  coldly  re<j;n'ttin.i!;  the 
National  Intelli.nencer,  tliat  neither  in  Xa- 1  eiintiiuninci!  of  the  war  with  tln^  I'nitid 
pidoon's  prosperity  mir  triluilation,  had  it  '  States  of  Anieriea,  hrielly  and  disilainliilly 
any  connection  Avilh  the  nioiiart  h  called  !  addinji;  his  desire  to  re-estnldish  i'riendly 
by  tin?  Ivifjlish  the  Frenidi  Ituler;  y(!t  we  ,  relations ;  "hut  I  cannot  c<insent  to  pur- 
hoped  that  Kiiropean  peace,  the  seijnel  ofjchast;  the  restoration  of  peace  hy  any  saeri- 
his  triumphs,  would  chec^k  the  afr;;ran- 1  ficc'  of  the  nnwitinu!  ri,i;lils  of  the  Dritish 
di/.enuMit  of  (ireat  Britain,  put  an  eml  to  1  empire."  Durinj^  these;  menacin;;  vows 
nil  yiretext  for  impressment,  and  with  it,  i  of  British  hostility,  Loi'il  ljiver]i(Md,  hear- 
Ameriean  war,  on  the  liasis  of  tluit  nuiri- .  ing  the  sword  of  state  hefore  the  Recent, 
time  freedom  which  all  the  European  nuiri-  ]ded^ed  the  realm  to  interminahle  war,  to 
time  states,  like  the  United  States,  desire,  j  retrieve  the  ancient  superiority  of  (Jreat 
The  opponents  of    Madison's    a<lministra-    ]5ritain  on  the  oeijan,  whicji,  after  monarch. 


tion,  particularly  (iovernor  Stronir,  in  his 
next  spee(di  to  the  Lej];ishituro  <if  Massiudiu- 
setts,  Janiuiry  1S14,  seize<l  on  the  collusion 
im]died  from  Xayioleon's  hojie  of  American 
incidental  luival  aid  to  his  territorial  war- 
fare, to  renew  the  An2;lo-Amevican  mistake 
of  Freui  h  inlluence  in  America,  when  it  was 
American  inliuence  in  Kranct>.     Instead  of 


Ml 


peers  ami  commons  resolved  never  to  sur- 
render, jiext  year  they,  nev(>rtheless,  wholly 
surrendered  ;  and,  as  the  I'ritish  press  rle- 
plored,  with  the  strijies  of  i^iiuniiny  still 
smartin<^  on  their  hacks.  On  the  dth  Ne- 
vemhi'r,  lX\o,  the  I'rinco  ll(;;ent  ai;ain 
addressed  Parliament  when  it  reassemlded. 
Ile[iealin;i;  the  common   Knj;lisli  misrepre- 


ulison  a 


.kinix,  he  rejected  the  help  of  \a- 1  sentation  that,  "  F,n;2;land  was  not  the  iiji;- 


poleon  ;  while  Napoleon,  at  first  disreifard- 
mg,  at  last  sou;';ht  that  of  the  United  States, 
hoping  hy  European  maritime  s\-inpathies 
for  a  transatlantic  marine  to  couuterpois(i 
English  power  in  the  wars,  Congresses  and 
negotiations  of  that  continent. 

Ahsorhe(l  hy  stupendous  exertions,  and 
intoxicated  hy  priidigious  succesii(>s,  fol- 
lowing twenty  years  of  continued  reverses, 
during  the  twidve  months  after  the  peace 
concpiered  nt  Paris  the  olst  Mai'ch,  1814, 
Great  Britain  had  neither  tiuu>  nor  temp(!r 
in  ISII?  to  ponder  the  perils  and  c<aint  the 
cost  of  her  second  war  with  America,  fruit- 
ful of  more  debt  and  disaster  to  her,  of 
greater  powers  and  freer  principles  to  t\w. 
AnuM-ican  ]{<>puhlie.  Never  in  the  proud 
annals  of  I'lautagenet,  Tudor,  or  Stuart 
kings,  did  monarch  of  that  glorious  empire 
in  su(di  state  and  exultation  nu'et  Parlia- 
ment as  the  I'riiice  Regent  (m  the  '2'2d  July, 
1H13.  His  eorj)ulent,  unwicddy  and  unmar- 
tial  person  was  tight-hounil  in  regimentals, 
on  the  throne  in  the  House  of  liords,  as 
though  anyoth.er  than  a  military  garli  wmdd 
1)0  unfit  fir  the  crisis  of  uni\ersal  soldiery. 
Surrounded  hy  Saxon  noldes  and  Noruuiu 
gentry,  despising  the  dull  German  dynasty 
they  upheld,  and  tlie  audiassadors  of  Rus- 
sia, Spain,  and  I'ortugiil,  the  Speaker  of  tin; 
IFouse  (d'  Commons  reiterated  to  his  muster 
Canning's  vow,  that  "  we  must  jiut  forth,  in 
our  con  test  with  America,  the  whole  strength 
of  Great  Britain  to  maintain,  with  our  an- 
cient superiority  on  the  ocean,  those  nuiri- 
timc  riglits  wlTudi  we  have  resolveil  never  to 
surrender.  We  have  furnished  our  supplies 
with  a  largo  and  liberal  aitl  to  enable  your 
royal  highness  to  take  all  such  measures  as 
the  emergencies  of  pul)lic  affairs  may  r(>- 
quirc."    With  all  humility,  said  the  oflicial 


gressm-  in  the  war,  I  have  not  hitherto,"  said 
liio  llegent,  "seen  any  disjiositiou  on  the 
part  of  the  government  of  the  United  States 
to  close  it,  of  which  1  could  aAail  mys<df 
with  due  attention  to  the  interests  of  ids 
nnijesty's  suhjcH'ts,"  adding,  in  order  rather 
to  conciliate  Itussia  than  Annu'ica,  "  I  am 
at  all  times  ready  to  enter  into  discussiiju 
with  that  government  for  a  eoncilialorv  ad- 
justuKMit  of  the  dilhrences  lietween  the  two 
countries  up(ui  lU'inciples  of  pcrf(;ct  recipro- 
city, not  inconsistent  with  the  estaldished 
niiixims  of  jiuhlic  law,  and  with  the  mari- 
time rights  of  the  British  empire." 

On  the  same  day  that  the  Regent  deliver- 
ed that  spee(di  to  I'arliament,  Eord  Castlc- 
reagh  wrote  to  IMr.  Monroe  his  letter  of  tho 
4th  November,  181;$,  encdosing  Lor<l  Cath- 
cart's  of  September  the  first,  from  Toplit:^ 
to  Count  Ness(drode,  declining  the  Russian 
iiKMliation.  Ry  the  suggestion  of  a  direct 
ap]dication  fir  peace,  \\  itliout  mediation, 
the  British  goverinnent  had  then,  therefore, 
no  idea  of  conceiting,  modifying,  or  mitigat- 
ing what  were  called  the  maritime  rights 
of  Great  Britain,  but  of  mendy  granting 
peace  to  American  sidicdtation  on  relin- 
quishment of  resistiince  to  impressnunit  of 
naturalized  Americans  horn  IJritish  sub- 
ject; while,  pending  negotiation,  the  ancient 
su]ieriority  of  Great  Britain  on  tho  ocean 
was  to  he  re-established  liy  naval  triunqdis. 

Such  was  the  issue  of  181,'! ;  a  question  of 
naval  superiority,  nui<le  hy  Englaiul,  to  1)0 
decided  against  her,  in  .almost  every  encoun- 
ter, at  sea  and  on  the  lakes,  by  squadrons, 
frigates  and  sloops  of  war,  privateers,  and 
the  numbers  of  prizes,  by  inefliciency  of 
her  blockades  to  prevent  the  egress  and 
return  (»f  American  military  and  connnor- 
cial  vessels;  in  a  word,  by  every  test  of 


f 


m 


36 


SPEECH  OF  THE  DUKE  OF  SUSSEX. 
— • — 


[1813. 


iniiritimo  superiority,  oxcopt  in  mnnlicrs  of;  ton.  tlio  Tiritisli  niinistor's,  soorotiiry  of  Ic- 
sliips  of  wiir.  j  jrittion  in  tiio  rnitcij  States.    I'or  an  army  of 

Aliout  tli.it  tinii'  it  was  tliiit  hostile  entor-  tliirty  tiiousand  Sweiles,  led  hy  liernailotte, 
prises  aixiiinst  ISaitiniiire,  ^Vasllin;J;tlln,  ami  llie  nionarilis  of  Europe  eoiiiliineil  to  tle- 
Kew  Orleans  iie^an  to  lie  indieuted  from  ,  throne  the  lawful  lieiroi'tlie  Swedish  erown, 
the  IJritish  press.  As  early  as  tin?  17th  ,  and  vi(diite  the  nncred,  if  not  rational  prin- 
.luiie,  iSl.'i,  a  ministerial  journal,  the  lion-  [  <'i]ile  of  Icijitimaey,  hy  puttin;^'  in  his  plaee  a 
(Ion  Courier,  stated  :  "  '{"here  are  arjruinents  Fremdi  adventurer,  onee  aiipointed  (lovern- 
in  our  eoloiiial  journals  tending;  to  jirove  !  or  of  Ijouisiana  by  the  s(  If-mado  Corsiean 
that  there  exists  a  neeessity  for  <iur  }i;ov(!rn- 1  Emperored' the  French.  Uenmark,  imniensc- 
ment's  takinj^  pessessiuii  of  the  province  of ,  ly  tempted  and  ur^itnl  liy  hoth  jiarties  to  the 

conllict,  alone  stddd  alo(d'.  A\' hen  the  United 
States  wei'e  resistin;;  liyvvar  the  Kn;j;lish  ilej;- 
niii  of  jierpetual  alle^^iance.  in  vicdatiin  of  it 
another  Frerudi  soldier  id' fortune,  Mureau, 
was  hrouj^ht  from  America  to  carry  arms 
a;j;ainst  his  countrymen.  Nec(.>ssity  over- 
ruled the  rules  ^>^'  lej;itimacy  and  allei;'iancc, 
when,  except  !>enmark,  every  natitiii  of  Eu- 
rope was  enlisted  a^^ainst  an  individual  Dic- 
tator, stipendiaries  of  irredeemaide  En;;lish 


Xew  Orleans.  A\'e  extract  tlu!  fdlowinj; 
observations  on  that  snhjet't : — If  (Jreat 
Britain  will  only  take  >,'ew  Orleans.  sh(> 
will  divide  the  "States.  By  shnttinj^  that 
outlet  to  the  fruits  of  Western  inihislry,  she 
■will  make  herself  known  and  rojxK'ted  hy 
those  States,  in  spite  of  the  jxiwor  of  the 
rest  id'  the  Union.  If,  in  the  war  of  I"')'), 
France  had  been  as  superior  at  sea  as  Bri- 
tain then  was,  we  should  !iever  have  heard 

of  the  Unit(>d  States  of  America.  The  back  t  expenditures,  and  still  more  dcs]ierate  ))ro- 
coiintry  would  have  been  as  well  settled  ;  fusion  of  jierlidious  royal  promises  of  I'ree- 
before  this  with  Frenchmen,  as  it  now  is  |  dom,  finally  enforced  by  tremendous  )iopu- 
vith  the  descendants  of  Britons.  We  ou;i;ht ;  lar  convulsions,  revolutionizing  nearly  all 
at  present  to  take  the  benelit  of  former  les- ;  Eurojie. 


sons,  and  make  those  peojde  our  friends 
when  so  nnich  is  in  our  power.  Take  New 
Orleans,  whiidi  is  at  the  threshold  of  our 
West  India  ishunls,  and  which  could  fur- 
nish them  with  ]irovisions  at  half  the  price 
they  have  been  accustomed  to  jtay.  By 
.such  condui't,  firm  allies  would  be  created 


At  a  public  meetinp;  in  London  tlie  22d 
Ai)i'il,  1S1;5,  to  promoii?  the  independence 
id' tiermany,  the  Prince  Kejfcnt's  roval  bro- 
ther, in  the  fuln(!ss  of  joyi'nl  anticipatioi), 
coidessed  a  precious  truth.  The  most  de- 
mocratic in  his  ])rofessions  of  (leori^e  the 
Third's  thirteen  adult  children,  the  Duke 


on  the  continent,  our  West  Inditi  ]ilanters  ^  of  Sussex,  remarkalde,  after  the  Americaii 
would  be  jrratilied,  anil  the  integrity  of  the  I  war,  for  hospitalities  to  Anu!ricans  anil 
Spanish  dominions  in  America  guaranteed  :  libiu-ality  of  politics,  for  which  (ieoi'ge  the 
i'rom  traitorous  insults."  And  the  liondon  ;  Fourth,  apostate  from  suidi  opinions,  ban- 
(ilobe  of  the  l^th  October,  iSb!,  detailing^  ished  his  brother  from  court,  told  the  assem- 
Admiral  Warren's  movements  in  the  Cliesa-  j  bled  multitude  in  a  speech  that  Austria  and 
]>eake,  stated  that  "great  alarm  for  Bal- ,  Prussia,  with  the  other  (Jernum  ]U'incip;ili- 
timore  existed,  and  troops  destined  for  i  ties,  leagued  against  republican  France,  had 
Canada  had  been  recall(>d.  'J'he  alarm  at  j  eomliined  to  quidl  the  insolence  (d'  French 
one  time  reached  AVashington,  within  70  i  democracy  liy  the  comjdete  dismendjerment 
miles  of  which  city  our  |iarties  had  aj)- i  and  annihilation  of  the  French  regicide 
proaidu'd.  and  oi'casioned  nuich  tiunporary    nation.    Suidi  exterminating  warfare,  event- 


bustle,  and  the  ]iackiiig  up  of  the  jiapers  at ' 
the  )nililic  ofiices,  in  case  removal  had  been 
rendered  necessary;"  statenu'uts  of  unea- 
siness wliiidi  never  disturbed  our  govern- 
incTit  till  too  late. 


ually,  as  war  begat  war.  and  British  tri- 
umphs emlioldened  further  hostilities,  a  war 
of  politics  was  waged  by  English  monarchy 
against  American  republicanism,  with  jire- 
tensions  and  ealcuhitions  as  atrocious  and 


While  North  America,  from  the  Bay  of  pre|iosterous  as  those  avowed  liv  the  Duke 
Fundy  to  the  southern  Imrders  of  .Mexico,  i  (d'  Sussex  against  France.  In  \sl4,  down 
was  agitated  with  hostilifies,  and  the  ele- '  with  democracy  was  a  watidiword  I'or  the 
ments  of  a  wi^slern  hemisphere,  ])olitical,  iJritish  armies  and  navies  devastating  Ame- 
militarv,  judicial,  and  altogether  agitated  rica.  In  ISl.'!,  war  no  longer  couniiercial, 
to  their  f  luiebitioiis.  European  warfare  '  but,  by  repeal  of  the  Oi'ders  in  Council,  ex- 
broke  out  afresh  with  unexampled  uliiijuitv  |  clusi\(dy  naval,  the  American  tlag  bore;  no 
and  intensity,  and  everywhere,  from  the  |  impressment,  and  that  of  (ireat  Britain  na- 
Tagus  to  the  Categat,  marvidlous  English  val dominion.  Ue-coloni/,ation,iiunishment, 
Kuecess.  Liberty  and  credit,  servitude  and  overthrow  of  republican  ))rinciples,  the  vin- 
despair.  leagued  Eiirojie  under  I'.rilish  h'ad  diclive  rcsidve  of  IS]  1,  were  bi'ought  on  )iy 
against  hercon.jueror.  a''iiied  with  couscrip- '  conllict  for  the  recovery  of  na\al  supremacy 
tion,  coin,  and  reluct  int  allies.  On  the  od  in  isll!;  while  end"a\or  to  sunder  the 
Alarcdi,  ISb!,  (ire.u  Ib-iiain  purchased  the  States  was  a  jierennial  British  hop(>  en- 
iilliam-e  of  Sweden,  def'nsi\e  iind  oirensive.  ,  couraging  sill  their  warfare.  The  New 
by  a  treaty  negotiated  at  Stockholm  by  Ed- 1  England  States,  in  1SI2  and  'lo,  not  block- 
ward  Thornton,  who  hud  biion  llobert  Lis- ,  aded  like  the  rest  from  that  vaiu   hope, 


Chap. 

before 

naval 

single 

while 

the  ea 

wir  ai 

faf'd 

thiM'e. 

fortum 

gleai 

ger  ot 

that 

ligenci 

in  the 

their 

allegli 


[1813. 


Chap.  I.]  CANNTXO.  37 

hfifni-o  tlio  undcvinting  oonrso  of  Amnrican  I  stitiK'iioy  of  thirty-six  votos  ;  man  of  let- 
naval  \ictiM-i('s  s(>t  ill,  addin;^  siniadmns  to  U'Vf,  wit,  poot,  <'iii;;raiiiniatist,  ('lc;i;ant  up- 
8in':;l('  (toniliat,  aiol  jirivatccrs  to  t'i'i,u;at('s,  start,  if  horn  of  Slicridan  and  an  ai'tn>ss, 
yvhfu^  consternation  convulsed  Hnjihmd  for  hdtli  father  and  son  I'nmi  hiinilde  ori^fin 
tlu'  easy  i'a|iture  of  th(^  llrst  two,  American  risinj^  to  fasliiunaliie.  literary  and  pcditieal 
war  ami  union  and  nationality  wen;  v<»nch-  distiiu-tion,  iiraeiicMlly  refuted  the  do^iiaa 
gafod  hva  navy  nenlecli'il  hen'and  (h'spisecl  j  of  hij^h  lif(>,  which  they  tiatttn-ed,  tinit 
there.  *  For  a  nionieiit  relieved  l)y  the  mis- 1  nninners  deiiond  on  hirlli,  wealth,  or  other 
fortune  of  tla;  (.'hesajieake,  joy  for  that  |  aristocratic  tuition.  Canning's  contempt 
gleam  hetrayed,  in  Ijell's  Weekly  Messen- 1  for  tiui  vulj^ar  American  democracy,  as 
per  of  the  '1th  Septemher,  lSl:*>,  the  helief,  \  for  the  fir-huilt  fri;;'ates  witii  hits  of  hunt- 
that  "In  addition  to  tliat  gratifyitij!;  intid- 1  inj;  at  their  i'  ast-heads,  was  soon  turned 
lij^enci!  th(>  Kastern  States  of  America  have,  I  into  resp(n't  so  profound  as  to  invoke  intei'- 
in  th(!  most  nnaninmus  maniu'r,  expressed  |  minahh*  war,  to  recover  from  the  convul- 
their  determination  of  secedin;;;  from  their 
allegiance,  unless  the  government  makes 
pea<i'  with  Mngland." 

U'^fore  th"  Chesapeake's  eai>t\n'e  the  most 
hrilliant  statesman  (d'("reat  Uritain  invoked 
from  I'arlianient  intermiualile  war  for  inwai 
supremncv,  the  issue  of  iSl.').  To  snhdue 
th 
the 


sion  and  consternation  caused  liy  their  lirst 
two  vi<'tories,  fn/linn  iiirx/t/lrdlti/i',  Mhieii 
the  least  hlood-thirsty  l>rit(Ui  should  prefer 
to  jieace,  till  war  suiothered  thos('  fatal 
reverses  in  iiiitish  naval  trium)dis.  In 
]  (lesperate  devotion  to  tin;  shivered  spell  of 
naval  superiority,  the  future  premier  pro- 
navy  was  iirst  uni!ertak(>n,  to  coiu|in;r  j  clainu'il  perpetual  cetiliict,  whi(di  only  nuil- 
country  the  attempt  that  followed — |  tiplied  Amioican  victories.  In  ISl;',,  wai' 
the  connti'y  of  democratic!  instittitions.  In  [for  the  naval  ]ialm  hrouglit  on,  in  IS14,  an 
a  S]ie(>ch  on  the  iSth  Fehrnary,  IHl.'i,  an- 1  issm^  of  politics.  American  resistatu'e  to 
thenticate(l.  as  his  hioirvapher  published,  |  impressment  in  ]ieace  compelled  repulili- 
liy  the  orator's  own  careful  revisal.  Canning  :  can,  assaulteil  liv  mouandiical  goxcrnment, 
raised  his  jiotential  voice  in  I'ai  liament  for  i  to  ]iut  the  still  greater  issue  hefore  th(5 
war,  till  \ict(.iry  redeemed  the  stricken  flag  j  world,  of  Aiuerican  democracy  against  Bri- 
ef i-higland.     "I  am  aiVaid,''  said  he,  with  '  tish  aristo(;racv.    In  iSl.'!,  p(>ace  hy  Russian 


clahorate  sarcasm,  "that  neither  the  hardy 
valor,  th((  ardent  patriotism,  and  the  lofty 
magnanimity  of  ancient  (ireoce  and  Kome, 
nor  the  gentle  manners  and  artilicial  retine- 
meiit  of  Cenoa  and  Florence'  are  to  l>C'  traced 
in  the  hard  features  of  transatlantic  demo- 
cracy. The  heartless  and  seHish  jiolicy 
pursued  hy  the  Americans,  &c.  'i'ln^  loss 
of  I'liot-e  t^i  fine  ships  of  war,  the  (Juerrier 
ami  Macedonian,  ]>roduce(l  a  sensation  ii 


nH>diation,  Kurfipean  negotiation,  or  any 
other  than  helligerent  means,  hecaine,  for- 
tunatidy  for  the  Ignited  States,  their  disap- 
pointeil  exp(>ctation.  Xo  terms  were;  to  ho 
had  from  the  justice  of  <!reat  Hritain  :  whose 
f 'ars  iind  injuries  were  the  only  Ann-ricau 
hope.  (Jonnnon  as  (air  niistak(>  is,  to  sup- 
jiose  that  mighty  empire,  unlike  all  otlun* 
nations,  incapalde  of  yielding,  it  is,  never- 
theless, the  ]deasant  task  (d'  this  volume  to 


tliis  c(aintry  scarcely  to  he  (Mpialled  hy  the  |  prove,(nnleniah!y,  that  when  American  fear 
most  violent  convulsion  of  nature.  I  do  Of  war  and  lio)ie  of  )ieace  gave  place;  to  dis- 
not  attrihute  the  slightest  hhiim'  to  our  ,  ciplined  hostilities,  and  a  repiihlican  pe^ojilo 
gallant  sailors.  They  always  d<i  their  duty.  |  ]iut  forth  their  {>nergies,  .Vnierican  troidiics 
IJnt  neither  cjm   T   agree  with  tiiost?  who  i  were  the  rich  sjioils  of  every  encounter,  savi) 


comi>iain  of  the  sliock  of  consternation 
throughout  (<r(>at  Britain  as  having  heen 
greater  than  the  occasion  justiiied.  Who 
Would  represent  the  loss  as  insignilicant, 
and  the  feelings  of  shame  anil  indignation 
excited  hy  it  as  exaggeiat(>d  and  extrava- 
gant? That  indignation  was  a  wli(d(>some 
fci  ling,  whitdi  laight  to  he  chiM'ished  ami 
maintaiueil.  It  cannot  he  too  deeply  fidt, 
that  the  sacred  spcdl  of  the  inviiu'ihility  of 
the  British  navy  was  l.rokeu  hv  those  iiufor- 


oii(\  n.ot  unuseful,  however  disgraceful  dis- 
aster: and  left  this  country  ready  fir  an- 
other cam|iaigu,  to  sweej)  every  Biitisii  ves- 
tige from  the  American  continent:  when 
the  great(>st  maritime  empire  in  the  world, 
from  vast  viiolictive  and  monstrous  hostili- 
ties, with  corresjKinding  enormity  of  terms 
of  peace,  fell  sud<leuly  and  inexplieahly, 
unless  caused  hy  Aniin-icau  hostilities,  to 
reasonahle  concessions,  f  ri'tunatel\ .  pi>r- 
haps,  \\ithout  an  inch  (d"  ground  on  either 
sidi?  surrendm-ed,  hut  with  more  than  all 


tniiate  captures;  and  however  we  must  iill 

wish  the  war  to  terminate,  I  hope  1  shall  j  the  ohji'cts  of  tlu;  AiiKM'ican  government  re- 
not  he  considered  as  sanguinary  anil  un-  alized  hy  lasting  peace.  Fortune,  no  douht, 
feidingwhen  I  express  my  devout  wish  that  had  its  always  great  influence;  and  other 
it  may  not  he  conidnded  hefore  we  have  ,  than  lielligerent  ojieratii  ns  coutriliuted  to 
re-estahlished  the  character  of  our  naval  |  reconc;l,<,  it  may  he  said  reduce,  (irimt 
KUjieriiuity,  and  smothered  in  victories  the  !  Britain  to  terms.  Manufactures,  the  income 
disasters  which  we  have  now  to  lament,  I  tax,  Furopean  maritime  symiiathics  with 
and  to  which  we  are  so  little  hahituated."  this  country,  were  not  without  ell'ect.  Still 
Brightest  star  of  the  rotten  horough  orh,  it  was  war  that  made  jieace :  and  when  war 
which  slo'd  select  intluences  im  the  Com-  with  .\merica  had  hecome  much  nnu'e  for- 
mous  llou«e,  aud  olocted  him  hy  a  cuu- 1  midablo  than  it  ever  was  before  to  England. 


38 


MEETING  OF  CONGRESS.— EMBARGO. 


[1813. 


CIIArTEll  11. 

MRETTXn  OF  CONT.nRSS— KMnAUr.O— TUADK  WITH  TIfR  RN'RMY—LICKNSR  TRADE— 
liATTI.R  IN  liOSTON  HAH  IfOIJ  — ItlUTISlI  CONSL'I/S  AllUHST— lilUriSII  CONSULS  IN 
TIIH  I'NIIKI)  SPA  ri;S— ANnilKW  ALLEN— A  DM  IK  A  L  COCK  HI  UN'S  COMPLAINT  OK 
THE  LICENSE  TUADE— LOIil)  CAS  rLEUEA(;l|-S  LETTER  TllEUEri'ON  lO  MR.  ALLEN 
— COl'NT  SIPAKTON— SWISS  INFORMER— I'llEVOST-S  SECRET  INSTRICTIONS  TO 
HRIl'ISH  ACEN  IS  IN  THE  INITED  S  I'A  lES— (JR  AIIAM'S  SECRET  MISSION  TO  MASSA- 
CIIL'SETIS— SWISS  INEORMER-S  SECRET  LE  TTERS— KOSTER  AND  RAKER  DETECTED 
WITH  LICENSES— l'Ri:SlI)ENT  IR(!ES,  AND  CoNC.RESS  ENACTS  EM  HA  R  CO— I  NEK- 
FEC'TUAL— HRTTISH  (GOVERNMENT  HILLS— DLl'E  LKHITS— HIRAM  THAYER— .lOIIN 
LEWIS— .JOSEI'H  WARHUKTON— ARRIVAL  OF  'THE  HRA.MHLE— REIT'SAL  HY  ENG- 
LAND OE  RUSSIAN  MEDIATION— MR.  CLAY  AND  JONATHAN  RISSELL  ADDED  TO 
THE  l>E\CE  COMMISSION— LANGDON  CIIEVES  ELECTED  SPEAKER- PROCEEDINGS 
OF  CONCUIESS— WAR  ACTS— ARMY— NAVY— TREASIRY—WEHSTER— FORSYTH— 
CALHOl'N— EMHARGO  REPEALED  AND  CONDEMNED— SAMC  Ef.  A.  ori>^— OPPOSITION 
— SIPPLIES- MASON-S  UESOLLTlOiNS— UOUKS  KESOLUTIONs;- UNEXECUTED  PRO- 
POSALS IN  CO.NGKESS. 


TiiK  soc'ond  sossinji  (if  tlio  AVar  Conf!;rcss 
1i(';;aii  I'd'cinlicr  (itli,  ISl;*>,  in  luid  tom)i('r, 
and  witli  disaiipdiiitcd  cxpi^ctaticiiis.  Ilar- 
risiin  liad  only  lun'oM'rcd  in  ISl.l,  at  best, 
Ity  Indian  rather  tliaii  En,!:;lish  defeat,  jtavt 
of  wliat  Hull  lii'^t  in  1S12;  and  Jacksdii's 
vietorit's  over  Indians  ]>y  no  mcanm  made 
amends  for  tlio  total  failure  of  the  jj;reat 
enterjirise  against  En;ilish  antajj^onists  in 
Canada.  I'errv's  vict<iry  was  our  only 
great  eonsulation  ;  (•on((uest  of  Canada  less 
probalde  than  ever;  and  tliat,  the  great 
Anierii'an  undertaking,  wlmse  failure  was 
the  prineiiial  argument  of  the  iieace  party 
against  the  admiiiistrati<in  and  otfeiisive 
Mar.  (ireat  IJritain  rejei'ted  the  Russian 
mediation,  enl'oreed  retaliation,  residved  on 
severe  hostilities  with  nearly  all  the  woidd, 
li(>r  allies.  Spain  almost  joined  her  in  fur- 
nishing forts  and  jiosts  in  Fhu-ida  for  Kng- 
lish  succor  to  the  Creeks.     One  of  Porter's 

Itrize.s  was  p('remptorily  ordered  liy  the 
'ortuguese  gnvernuKMit  of  IJrazil  instant- 
ly to  leave  the  harljor  of  Rio  Janeiro. 
Throughout  Kumpe,  Asia,  Africa,  and 
America,  tiie  Cnited  States  were  without  an 
ally  or  sympathy,  wliiie  Kngla'id  had  them 
oviu'ywhere,  was  osteusildy  ricdi  as  we  wei'e 
apparently  poitr,  with  the  tide?  of  fortune 
running  strong  iu  her  favor  and  ag;iinst  us 
ill  both  hemispheres.  The  President's  mes- 
sage, the  7th  l>eceml)(>r,  IS  I.'!,  und(,'r  tii(>so 
circumstances,  could  only  regret  th('  failure 
of  the  Russian  mediation,  denounce  yet 
threaten  murderous  retaliation,  confess  that 
there  was  no  prosjK'ct  of  peace,  and  war 
tlie  <inly  alternative,  argue  some  of  its  I'csi- 
lient  alivantag(^s,  and  t(dl  Congress  tl'at  the 
nation,  proud  of  its  rights,  was  conscious 
of  its  strength  to  support  them.  So,  in- 
deed, the  nation  yirovid;  more  conscious  of 
strength  when  ("ungress  de(dare(l  war  than 
the  Executive  failing  to  liegin  it  vigorously, 
or  than  Congress  wIkmi  it  failed  to  support 
the  Exouutivu  striving  to  cud  it  well.     Eor 


at  different  stages  of  the  struggle,  the  vari- 
ous branches  of  g.ivei-nnu'nt  ('altered,  both 
executive  and  legislative,  but  the  projdo 
never;  eitluu*  in  submission  to  taxation  and 
])ri\atiou.  or  to  bear  arms  bravely  when 
duly  marshaled.  The  Senate,  sometimes 
more  energetic,  Itut  always  less  harmonious 
or  united,  was  more  intractable  than  tho 
House  of  Rcjiresentatlvt's.  Five  or  six 
Senators  of  the  war  ]iarty  oiiposed  tho 
ailministration ;  among  them,  William  li. 
(iiles,  of  A'irginia,  who,  besicles  votes  and 
speeches  in  Senate,  attacked  the  President 
by  long  publications  against  thi^  nomina- 
tions of  Alliert  (lallatin  and  donathan 
Russ(dl,  invidving  dispute<l  rights  and  du- 
ties of  the  President  and  Sen^>.  Party 
\i(dence  iu  the  ca|iit(d  and  throughout  tlio 
country  kept  pa;;e  with  iiostilities  ;  tlxiugh 
liarty  vi(deiice  and  estrangements  in  tho 
l.'nited  States  are  never  so  implacable  as 
in  Great  Rritaiii. 

Tlie  President  was  bent  on  the  embargo, 
for  which  the  Senate  had  rejected  a  bill  pass- 
ed by  th(>  House  at  the  idose  of  the  ])v'\ov  ses- 
sion. Though  it  proved  of  little  avail,  and 
was  soon  rtnoked,  yet  the  fraudulent  and 
illegal,  if  not  treasonable,  commercial  in- 
tercourse between  jiarts  of  New  Kngland 
and  th(!  British  possessions  was  extremidy 
injurious,  and  provoked,  if  it  did  not  justify, 
that  last  spasm  of  the  ex|iiring  restrictivo 
system,  'i'he  tv^elfth  Congress,  on  the  Gth 
July,  ISI'2,  soon  after  deidaring  war,  en- 
acted some  inad(M(uate  provisiims,  and  tho 
Common  law  <if  natinns,  marine  and  inter- 
national, as  judicially  enforced,  was  strong 
against  trade  by  enemies'  licenses.  But 
people  so  nuudi  akin  and  alike  as  Ameri- 
cans and  Britons,  so  disaffected  and  enter- 
jirising  as  the  descendants  of  the  pilgrims, 
riMpiired  unusual  restraints  to  prevent  their 
consorting  and  trafli(d\ing  togetiuu'.  Aa 
soon  as  wnrwas  known  in  Kugland,  <iii  tho 
'Jtli  November,   1812,  a  British  order  ia 


[1813. 


',  tlm  vfiri- 

croil,  li-ith 

lie   jiidjilo 

»;iiti'iii  tuid 

o!y  -wlicn 

■■(iiiiotiiiics 

u'liioiiioiia 

tliiin  tlio 

vo   (ir   six 

Kiscd    tlie 

'illiiun  B. 

voti's  and 

I'rcsidcut 

'  luiininii- 

•Jiiimtliim 

<  ami  (111- 

p.     J>art.y 

j;ii<iiit  tlio 

;  tliuii^h 

y 

ts  ill  tlio 

J 

aeablo  aa 

•r 

oniliari!;o, 

,i 

liill  jiass- 

i- 

)iri(ir  ses- 

•  r,.;i      .,r.,1 

i 

ILLICIT  TRADE  WITH  THE  ENEMY. 

— ♦ — 


Chap.  II.] 

council  estalilishod  a  system  of  surro|iti- 1  no  less  than  fi.rty-tlireo  cases  of  su>^li  niis- 
tious  dcalirif^  by  license',  contrary  to  inter- }  deincanors  for  trial,  iiiv(dvin^  importations 
national  law  ;  and,  moreover,  af:p;ravatcd  l)y      " 
distin^^uisliini;  tiie  Eastern  from  the  otiier 
States.     "Whatever  impurtations  are  yro- 


f  goods  ami  export  ut  provisions,  which 

our  armies  on  the  frontier  found  it  imiK-s- 

silde  to  prevent  and  ha/ardous  to  interrujit, 

for   the    partii.'s    implicated   would    iuirass 

t'nited   States   of    America  should    ho  hv  |  them  witli  suits  in  State  courts,  to  he  tried 


TKjscd  to  he  ma<le  umler  the  order  from  the 


your  licenses,  (was  the  instruction  of  the 
Lords  in  Council,)  contineil  to  the  pitrts  in 
the  Eastern  States  exclusively,  unless  you 
have  reason  to  suppose  that  the  olijijct  of 
the  order  would  not  he  fullillcd  if  licenses 
are  not  granted  for  the  importation  from 
the  other  parts  of  the  United  States."  The 
British  government  thus  actu,  lly  estahlish- 
ed  a  commercial  alliance  with  the  discon- 
tented, restricted,  and  raj)acious  of  the 
East,  countenanced  hy  some  of  their  .State 
governments,  judiciary,  mendiants,  liar, 
church,  and  partisans.  Without  waiting 
for  any  order  in  council,  their  consular  and 
other  agents  in  the  I'liited  States  arranged 
similar  contrivances  here  as  soon  as  war 
was  declared.  The  Act  of  Congress  of  the 
Cth  July,  1S12,  imperfectly  ]>rohi])itory  of 
licenses',  was  hardly  puhlic  heforc  Andrew 
Allen,  the  English  consul  at  Boston,  on  the 
ISth  of  that  month  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
British  naval  commander-in-chief  on  the 
American  station,  Vice  Admiral  Herbert 
Sawyer,  at  Halifax,  projiosing  the  ma- 
chinery of  licensed  trade  to  sup)dy  the  ene- 
my and  his  allies  with  provisions,  carri(!d 
hy  American  vessels  wherever  wanted.  On 
the  5th  August,  1S12,  the  admiral  officially 
answered  the  consul,  apjiroving  the  device, 
which  he  i>ut  in  use  the  4th  of  that  month. 
Profitable  as  the  sale  of  such  indulgences 
was  to  themselves,  tempting  to  American 
avarice  and  disloyalty,  and  e.vtremely  in- 
jurious to  this  country,  a  metre  elfectual 
method  could  hardly  be  devised  for  reliev- 
ing, clandestincdy,  the  unworthy  from  the 
burdens  of  war,  enriching  them,  pr(  scrilj- 
ing  the  innocent,  unconscious  eomn  unit-, , 
and   prolonging  war  indefmitidy.     British 


by  jurors  oi'lcn  interest('(l  in  the  jiroeeed- 
iiigs.  A  sheriff's  oilicer  in  New  JIampshire 
defected  a  letter,  dated  August  IGth,  \Xl'^, 
fnmi  Stephen  Wilson,  'I'homas  Carlisle, 
Benjamin  Ihjardman,  William  Lovejoy,  and 
Th(jmas  Eames,  respectable  citizens  tlK.'n-, 
to  .Josiah  Sawyer,  of  Katoii,  Lower  Canada, 
interc(Mling  for  Curtis  Coe,  of  Barnstead, 
Hew  Hampshire,  who  was  arrcvsted  and 
imprisoned  as  a  sjiy  at  'fhree  Bivers,  in 
('anada.  "From  our  ac(piaintance  Avith 
Mr.  Coe,"  said  the  letter,  "his  character 
and  politics,  we  are  confident  that  his  ob- 
ject is  far  from  being  unfriendly  to  ^the 
motives  wlii(di  induced  your  government  in 
repelling  the  attacks  made  on  you  by  our 
Executive.  His  p(ditics  have  uniformly 
boon  what  we  stylo  staunch  fe(h'ralism,  and 
his  object,  we  believt!,  no  other  than  traf- 
ficking with  your  citizens  in  defiance  r-f 
some  of  our  laws.  His  language  and  con- 
duct with  us  have  uniformly  belied  even 
the  semblance  of  an  enemy  to  your  govern- 
ment, or  any  of  your  usages  in  repelling 
the  measures  which  our  Executive  has  tried 
to  enforce."  John  and  Ebenezer  Hussey 
were  committed  for  trial,  after  examination 
liy  Judge  Story;  against  whom  it  was  in 
proof,  that  they  drove  cattle  down  to  the 
iioach,  at  Princet(jn,  for  the  enemy's  ship 
of  the  line,  the  Majestic,  lying  off  the 
coast;  from  on  board  of  which  vessel  a 
lieutenant  went  ashore  with  a  boat  to 
bring  back  the  cattle,  who  had  a  conversa- 
tion on  the  beach  with  the  Husseys. 

Illicit  trade,  like  illici*^  love,  or  Spartan 
theft,  is  seldom  deemed  criminal  or  disrc- 
jiutable  unless  detected.  And  not  only 
illicit  but  treascmable  trade  was  an  invete- 


America  and  the  West  Indies,  {tarticularly  :  rate  offence   of  New  England;  whose  in- 


Halifax  and  Bermuda,  the  allied  armies  in 
Spain  and  Portugal  suct^ored,  and  the 
enemy's  cause  everywhere  aided  and  pro- 
moted, the  Swedish  and  Spanish  flags, 
as  neutral  covers  for  vess(ds  owned  and 
manne(l  by  AmtM'icans,  were  prostituted 
for  similar  ojierations.     Hundreds  of  Ame- 


habitants,  according  to  an  English  travel- 
ler's account  of  them,  in  the  war  of  1756, 
traded  with  tliidr  French  enemies  as  their 
descendants  in  1813  did  with  English. 
"Not  scrupulous,"  said  this  authority,  "in 
taking  liberties  detrimental  to  other  pro- 
vinces, but  even  to  the  nation,  especially  in 


rican  citizens  fre((uented  Halifax  with  ><up- j  times  of  war,  by  carrying  on  an  illicit  trade 
plies,  smuggling  back  Kiiropean  and  Asiatic  I  with  the  enemy,  and  supplying  them  with 
goods  in  return.  Seventeen  thousand  bar- 1  the  most  material  artiides.  This  they  have 
rels  of  American  flour  were  said  to  be  ;  rep(site(lly  done  with  imi>unity,  to  my  cer- 
landed  there  in  oiuMlay.  >Iany  Americans  tain  knowledge,  in  the  course  of  the  late 
were  employed  in  driving  cattle  for  food  war,  when  many  scores  of  vessels  went 
across  the  lines  separating  \'erniont  and  ,  loaded  with  beef,  pork,  flour,  &e.,  under 
New  York  from  Canada.  The  numlxtrs,  |  the  ]iretext  of  flags,  which,  for  a  certain 
artifices,  audacity,  and  it  may  be  a<lded,  re- i  consideration,  could  at  any  time  be  pro- 
siiectabillty  (if  persons  engaged  in  thesis  for- j  cured  from  thei''  governor;  when,  at  the 
bidden  ways  to  wealth,  by  land  and  sea, were  '  same  tim(>,  ]ierhaps,  they  carried  not  more 
incredible.  The  Eetleral  District  Court,  ;  than  one  or  two  Erench  prisoners,  dividing 
at  Butlaud,  Termout,  in  October,  1813,  had  ;  tl'.e  crew  of  one  French  merchautuiuu  they 


40 


THE  LTCENSE  TKAT>E. 


\m: 


ill!- 


—  ♦ 

liid  tiikon  nnionp;  n  wlmlc  fleet  of  lliij:;s  i\\' 
t"ni'e,  ImiIcm  witli  Mvlieles  mnn'  weleiMiie  tii 
t!ie  enemy  tliaii  jill  llie  |ii'is(iiiei's,  witli  the 
n!ii|i  iiiiil  e!ir;;o  tliev  todk  IVoin  tlieiii."  Siieli 
vere  the  ties  uf  iiatiniinl  iiitiiiiiie_v  lietween 
Aiiierieaiis  iiiel  Knj;lisli — assoeiiiliiiiis  uf' 
MiMiil.  lialiit,  iiiiil  liiisiiiess — lliiit  it  was  (Ex- 
tremely diHieiill  til  make  tliem  e(iin)irelieiiil 
tliat  tiiey  were  traitors  if  they  dealt  |o,ne- 
tlier.  The  jiress  teemed  witii  iiriiited  eojiies 
<>f  letters  and  other  ]>a|ii'rs  eajitiired  on 
litiard  liritish  ve^<sels,  lietravini;  tiiat  na- 
tural   inerediility  hy  ^larinj;;    iii f.      'I'lie 

Yankee  privateer  eaplured  a  letter,  dated 
Morlev.  Kni^land.  ;iil  Anj^nst.  ISli!,  from 
.lose|ih  Asijiietli  for.Iose|iii  hi.MMi  to 'lames 

AS'eh.ster,    (^Miel ,    explaining;    liow    ^oods 

WiM-e  (dandestinejy  taken  from  Canada  to 
^Mlian-,  New  ^'ork,  and  l'hiladel|ihia,  and 
luentionini;  as  their  recipients  many  notalile 
meruhants.  AinonL;;  these  l(>tters,  exposed 
to  pnlilic  aniiiiaihersion,  was  one.  dated 
Shelliidd,  S  ni(...  .".d.  IS  I;?,  from  William 
llod;;soM  &  Co.,  to  Henry  C  ix,  (^)neliee,  of 
wliieh  the  (^>naker  phraseolo^-y  was  in  hnli- 
«!rons  contrast  with  the  iinseniiinlons  de- 
sijin.  "  if  thou  does  attempt  to  >;;et  itiiy 
jijoods  into  the  eonntry  tiioii  alludes  to  in 
thy  No.  ;!.  it  will  reipiire  }!;reat  eare  and 
caution  on  thy  part,  and  thou  must  ho  sure 
to  aet  sai'eiy  or  not  at  all."  I>nrinj!;  the 
winter  of  iSl;i-l4,  our  advices  were.  that, 
amon;;  other  preparations  made  in  Canada, 
•with  exemplary  industry  and  idfect,  for  t!ie 
iH>xt  sunnuer's  eampai,:;;n,  one  hundred 
jiieces  of  ordinince  were  drawn  liy  four 
liundred  oxen  from  Montreal  to  Kingston, 
attended  hy  tlu^  men  w  ho  siuuii'i;led  tluMU 
from  Vermont  ami  New  Hampshire  into 
Canada  :  for  which,  and  drlvinu;  them  to 
Kiimston,  they  wore  paid  four  hundred 
dollars  a-iiiec(>. 

The  re\enue  laws  of  the  Uniteil  States 
wore  continually  frustrated  hy  leiral  ]iro- 
ceediu^s  in,  and  ofti'n  of  tiie  Sl:ites.  James 
risk  st;ite(l.  in  the  House  of  IJepreseuta- 
tives,  that  he  knew  one  instance  where 
iifty-six  writs  were  served  on  one  oolloctor 
in  the  same  week;  and  unless  prevented 
liy  Act  of  Coni;r(>ss,  the  State  courts  miu;ht 
and  would  levy  on  property  seized  for  tuxes 
due  to  the  I'uited  ."^tatcs. 

The  license  trad'>  was  (>xtensively  pro- 
secuted with  an  open  disr(E<:;ard  of  even  tlu* 
ajiiiearaiice  of  Amurican  allei;iaiu'(>,  till 
tJud,L!;o  Story  jiut  a  stop  to  it  on  his,  the 
most  extensive  maritime  eireuit,  and  iu  the 
most  ilisatfected  region  of  country,  liy  vir- 
tue ol'eiiuimon  Admiralty  law  and  national 
jurisprudence,  independent  of  any  act  of 
'Con.^ress.  On  the  ;;lst  Decemher.  lSl'2, 
the  lVi'j;ate  Chesapeake,  Ca)itain  Evans, 
(Mptured  a  licensei!  vessel  calhMl  th(>  Julia, 
uu  her  return  to  Boston  with  a  carpt  of 
8. lit,  after  luivin^  li-one  to  Lis'ion  from  Bal- 
timore,  with    pro\isiun-<,    alt';;;ether  docu- 


ClIAT. 


capture  the  lieenso  wns  stolen  from  tho 
iri/e-niaster,  wiio  luul  taken  a  ('(i|iy  of  it 
lowever,  lieinj;  a  permit  sij;ned  and  sealed 
the  Jth  Auj;ust,  on  hoard  his  majesty's 
ship  Centurion,  at  Halifax,  hy  Nice  Ail- 
miral  Sawver,  statinu,  that  "whereas  ,Mr. 
Andrew  Allen,  his  majesty's  consul  at  Bos- 
ton, has  recommended  to  nie  .Mr.  Itoherk 
Kwell.  a  merchant  of  that  place,  widl  in- 
idineil  toward  the  i'rilish  interest,  who  is 
desirous  of  sendinj;  provisions  to  Spain  and 
I'ortuual  for  the  us(>  of  the  allit'il  armies; 
and  it  has  lieen  d(>eniiMl  expedient  hy  liis 
umjesty's  government,  notwithstandiui;;  tin) 
hostilities  hetween  <ireat  Britain  and  tho 
I'nited  States,  that  every  degree  of  en- 
couragement and  protection  shoyld  he  given 
to  .\meri<'an  vess(ds  laden  with  tlour,  hound 
to  Spain  and  Portugal;"  on  which  docii- 
nuMit  Judge  Story,  hy  a  luminous  judguu'iit 
in  .May,  ISI,'!,  decreed  a  condemnation  of 
vessel  and  cargo  to  the  captors,  which  was 
conlirmed  hy  the  Supreme^  Court  of  thrt 
I'nited  States,  and  hecame  the  estahlished 
prize  law.  On  the  lid  .\ugust,  iSl,!,  tlu; 
Mnglisli  vice  ailmiralty  judge  at  Halifax', 
l>r.  Croki>,  gaM'  judgiiu'Ut  hy  an  elaho- 
rate  decree,  that  liceiis(>  granteil  hy  Lord 
Sidmouih  as  British  Secretary  of  State, 
the  llth  Se]itemher,  iSl'i,  protecte<l  from 
captur(>  for  lireach  of  hlockade,  an  Ameri- 
can vessel  ealleil  the  Orion,  with  a  cargo 
of  llour  and  corn,  whiidi  sailed  from  N'ew 
York  for  Lislion  the  l')th  .Mav,  iSl.!.  Tho 
ohject  of  tiu'se  licenses,  said  the  judge, 
was  for  the  lienefit  of  th(>  Hriti-^h  military 
service.  The  arnnes  employed  in  the  cause 
of  liln'rty  were  starving  in  Spain,  it  was 
m>cessary  to  have  recourse  to  tlu>  I'niteil 
States  as  long  as  tlu^se  nec"ssiti(>s  existed; 
and  in  iiardy  cmiiession  of  the  jiolitics  of 
British  admiralty  law.  he  added  in  coindu- 
sion.  that  if  dissatislied  with  his  decree,  tho 
parties  could  apply  to  a  su]ierior  trihunal 
where  the  instructions  and  ohject  of  li'.s 
majesty's  government  an;  known  d  priori. 
Th(>  license  trade,  thus  conilemned  ]iy 
American  and  upludil  hy  British  courts  as 
a  meri'  politit'al  contrivance  mai\aged  hy 
the  ministry,  while  i)r.  (,'roke  was  pronounc- 
ing his  tiMie-ser\  ing  decr<>e  at  Halifax,  on 
the  2d  .Vugust  iSl.'i,  was  exposed  to  general 
odium  hy  a  tumultuous  and  (diai'acteristio 
fermentation  at  IJoston.  'I'hehrig  i)espat<d), 
own(>d  hy  Cornelius  Coolidge  and  Francis 
J.  Oliver  of  tluit  jilace,  arriving  und(»r  ii 
Uritisli  license  froi\i  Ca<liz,  was  captured 
within  the  lightlious(>  hy  a  couple  of  petty 
privateers,  the  Castigator  of  Salem,  mount- 
ing one  sis  pounil  cannon,  with  a  crew  of 
nineteen  men,  and  the  i''ame,  mounting 
tw<i  four-pounders,  and  manned  hy  eight- 
eiMj  men,  as  the  l.iw  was  then  settled 
that  licenses  w(U'o  illegtil.  Still  tho  own- 
ers uf  the  I>espatch  forthwith  armed  two 
hoats     with    twentv-two    m{>n    (MKd),    ami 


lueutud  as  American  projierty.     After  liei'  j  sent  them  to  recapture  their  vessel.    As  tho 


!;■ 


■^^ 


[1813. 


CiiAi'.  TT. 


BIUTISH  COXSr^T,  AT  T50ST0X. 


41 


liontH  niipntMclioil  fur  Ili:it  |iiiriM.st>,  tlic  |ivi-  iKlmircd  iis  tin'  inmlrl  of  F'!ii^;li'^li  ^'('iitl('- 
viilciTs  sniiiilii'il  the  pri/.c-nni  -Icr  on  lM.;ir'!  ^  m-'ii.  Tci  Kii-li^li  invi'li<'Us  (l.'t.'sliilinii  uf 
tlic  l>i'S|i;it(li  willi  iiriii«,sc\c>nil  limes  liiiili'il  j  wliiitcvcr  is  Inni;.'!!,  smnc  dl'  tin'  iiiMil;iP 
tlii^  IxiMts,  (.rdcrcd  tlicm  to  kiTji  dH',  iiml  I  ;in';itiicss  d"  Kn^lMiid  iii;i_v  K"  iiscriln'il. 
fired  lit  tiicm.  Wididiit  retuiniii;^  llie  lire,  j  Ainerieuii  eiilier  dislike  or  reverenee,  of 
tlie  lioats  rnii  iiloii;;;  side  the  l)es|iiilidi,  i  w  liiit  is  Kiijilisli  perxeils,  or  I.eiiiiMil.s  n;i- 
iioiirded,  and   eMrrie(T  lier  in    si.ile  of  lier  |  tioniililv ;  tlion.i;li    euiii|ilele    Aiiieriean   in- 

lire.    I''(.rlnii:it(dv,  MO  M I  \v;is  s|iilt  in  tlie  i  dejiendenee  is  riire  in   seii|iiiil>J,  ivlieic   Mn- 

ridienlons  eneoiinter,  of  wliieh  the  '.idinirs  i  ^lislmien  like  .Mr.  Allen  enjoyed  incit  s.iciiil 
lit  I'xistipn  ))rodneed  f^nvit  iiml  n|i|M.site  sen- 1  inlinenec.  iind  eonsliinlly  simi^lit  lor  iioliii- 
Hiition.  The  oflieer  eoniniiindin;?  Fort  Inde-  i-iii,  in  the  hmjr-eherislied  Knulidi  hope  of 
iienden<'e  took  |iosses>i,.n  <irMli  the  vesseN.  re-e(dnni/;ilion,  for  ^\hieh  ijisnnii'n  <d'  the 
delivered  the  |)es|)iit(di  to  tin-  ('olleidor,  mid  '  Si  sites  \\!is  iiieiilr.ited.  Of  nil  tl-e  iiocnts  for 
mliir^red  her  eaiitors.  The  owners  of  the  |  siieli  purposes,  m  tie  was  lietter  (piailfe'il 
]>esoat(di,  with  sonu-  of  the  armed  men  |  than  the  consul  at  l!o-ti.n.  Stationed  there 
(>iiiiip)ied  liy  them  in  the  two  hoals,  were  J  in  iMi'i,  when  ^.n;■:li^ll  \e.\alions  oi' Ameri- 
arrested  for  lirea*  h  of  law;  the  i)espateh  !  ean  (MJinineree  lii';',an,  doniestica,led  th.re  in 
vas  eoiidenined  to  the  captors,  and  the  riot- i  IMI'.»,  whrn  <  io\eiiiory  of  .N'ova  Si>oti;i  and 
oils  eonlliet  was  not  witlioiit  inlliieiiee  in  ( 'anada,  wi!  Ii  the  saiietioii  of  tlie  I'ri'i-h 
fonvertinu;  piiMie  sentiment  to  the  aid  (d  ;  miiii--try,  sent  ■)■  iiii  lleniynnd  oilier  (lan- 
liiw  and  order,  the  former  lon;r,  the  latter  j  de.-line  cmisMiries,  to  allempt  di>iinion  hy 
on  that  (H'casion  (';:rejtioiisly  set  at  nan.irlit  dperiitions  at  I'.oston,  and  remainin;;  llieii) 
liy  those  mIio  supplied  tl'iu  enemy  with  j  hy  diieetion  of  the  IJrilisli  ,i;ovei  nment  aflei- 
food  under  his  illegal  lieeiises.  j  war  was  deidared.  and   his  coiisiihir  fiiiic- 

At  leii<itli,  after  more  than  twidve  months' I  tioiis  le^'ally  ee:i<i'd,  Mr.  Allen,  hy  lh(! 
ondiiranee  (d' the  vicious  system,  soon  after  1  lieenso  trade  and  other  means,  was  tlio 
the  indecent  eonlliet  near  Hostoii  harlmr, '  miiii-^ter  id' a  commercial  alliaiiei-  lietween 
the  (diief  An;:;lo-Americaii  aiillior  <d"  trade  '  persons,  if  not  porlii  iis,  of  tlu'  l.'nited 
liy  licenses,  a  rallyiii;:;  point  of  IJritish  in-  States  and  KiiLdind,  in  spile  of  war  and 
lliience  in  IJoslon,  the  ex-Hiitisli  consul  in  deliance  of  the  American  ;i;overniiient. 
there  Mr.  .Andrew  Allen,  was  arn^sted  and  Of  sniierior  education  and  attainments,  in 
expidled  under  prosecution  for  that  mis- ;  the  prime  id' life,  of  liandsonie  a)'peari'ni  o 
dcnieanor  as  im]ierfectly  jirohihited  hy  the  and  jireposscssin^^  im'iiners,  with  inhred 
Act  (d'diily  l!^l2.  A  license  coiiTitersii;ned  :  A n;;lo-Amciic!iii  eontemiit  for  repiililicuii 
l)y  him  as  issued  hy  Admiral  Sawyer,  was  institutions,  and  traiiseendentiil  love  i^f 
liiit  ill  (nideiice  hefore  the  jiidire,  and  as  Kn^lisli  ^fovernment,  much  admirfMl  as 
?Ir.  iVllen  would  not  acknowledge  his  hand- ,  an  Knirlish  <ienlleman  id'  American  hirtli, 
writiiij:!;,  his  sin;natiir(!  was  proved  hy  Mr.  ;  he  could  not  luit  ihdi^lit  in  the  duty  to 
'I'homas  If.  Perkins.  'I"he  histrict  •)  ml  ire,  '  restore  sindi  parts  of  the  I'nitcd  States  as 
])avis,  after  he.irinji;  the  jtistrict  Attorney  '  could  he  convinced  of  tludr  revidiitionary 
(J(>or;je  {{lake,  tor  till' ]>rosecntioii,  and  ^Mr.  j  error,  to  the  inestimalde  advantai;'es  of 
Otis  and  .Mr.  Win.  Sullivan,  for  the  accused,  ;  liritisli  al';-;riance,  and  of  hi'in;;  saved  hy  it 
ordered  liim  to  enter  into  •.•eco;j;nizance  in  \  from  the  intidid  and  fital  eifects  (d"  Kremdi 
SKMIII  f(ir  his  ap]ioarance  and  trial  at  tin  '  inlluenco.  whi(di,  tlironM-h  the  instrumental- 
next  ("ircuit  Court.  AN'licn  ca""d  to  apjieai  ity  (d'detferson  and  Madison,  wi're  consuni- 
h\  court  tli(^  'Jfitli  Octcdier  Isl.'i,  ('nr  trial,  United  hy  a  war  i-ommaniled  hy  Honapai'te. 
Mr.  Allen  made  default,  lea\ini;;  his  recoj;- ,  Well  salaried,  maintained,  and  csta- 
ni/.anco  and  Massa(diiisetts  iKdiind,  while  ,  liri--hcd  to  propii'^ate  these  sentiments,  a 
lu!  went  to  Canada  in  a  sinji'Ie  horse  wa^ron,  I  universal  favorite  anioiie;  t)..:  malcontent 
and  emh.irkin^i  at  (i>iie1joc  in  the  Uoiiro  fri- '  mercantile  aristocracy  of  IJoston,  five  luin- 
{jiite,  saileil  to  Kii,ii;hinil.  In  Feliriiary,  ISI"),  j  dred  mil(>s  removed  from  the  eountoractin<^ 
the  tientleman  who  proved  his  handwriting,  ;  inlhiences  id'  the  seat  of  national  ^overn- 
Jlr.  Thomas  H.  I'erkins,  and  the  consul's  menf,  ^Ir.  Allen  etfectiially  represented 
leual  ailvis(>rs,  Harrison  (1  ray  Otis  and  Wil-  <  Ireat  15ritain  anunir  those  soureil  hy  .leffer- 
liiiin  Sullivan,  wer(>  ai)pointed  liy  (lovcnioi'  son's  superseding  Adams  in  tin?  jiresideiu'y, 
StroULT,  envoys  to  Washinirton,  ]iiirsiia. it  to  '  alarmed  hy  the  incalculahlc  increase  of 
residiiticm  (d'  the  Lej^islaturo  of  .Massaidiit- i  Southwestern  power,  hy  tin,'  aiinoxation  of 
setts,  liearers  of  the  bohest.s  of  the  Hart- j  i^oiiisiana,  inipoverisln.'d  hy  the  doclino  of 
ford  Convention.  I  husinoss  and  id'  jiroperty,  which  followed 

Between  the  |ioaoo  of  \~'><?,  and  war  of  i  the  restrictive  .system,  and  excited  to  de- 
1!^I2,  l'",n;rland,  without  ).ro]»er  delicacy,  sta- i  lirioiis  disaffection  hy  a  deidaration  of  war, 
tionedas  Consuls  in  the  i'nited  States,  seve- i  residved  at  all  events  on  si  uio  (dian^re  of 
ral  tories  of  the  revolution  or  their  sons,  ]  rulers,  policy,  and  cpovernment.  In  ptditi- 
loyalists  (>xtreme  in  Hiiirlish  nnerence  ami  i  eal  luiicil  and  social  intimacy  with  that 
American  aversion,  id'  whom  the  consul  at  restlessdisafVection,  Mr.  Allen's  vice-royalty 
Boston,  .Mr.  Andrew  Allen,  was  a  .superior  was  estaldished  at  IJoston. 
typo  of  what  many,  if  not  most,  Amerioaus  I      Born  in  ronnsylvania,  of  one  of  the  lead- 


4a 


ADMIRAL  COCKBURN  AND  THE  LICENSE  TPiADE. 


[1813. 


1 


5n^  fiiniilios  of  tlisit  loading  odldny,  wlicn 
l'liilii(l('l|ilii:i,  wlicn;  tliey  resided,  wivs  tlie 
North  Aiiirrieiui  ini'troiiciiis,  oviM'wociiinj^ly 

nttiudicd  to  !\    nn-at    mutlioi mitry.  the 

Huston <M>nsiirs;r'-;indratlii'r,  Williiini  Allen, 
from  liiinilile  lulior,  lieciiiiio  a  itroxperous 
nieivliant,  and  maker  of  his  own  fortune. 
15y  royal  aiitliority  ereated  eliief  jiistiee 
durin;i  the  |irimiti-.  •  etdoiiial  paucity  of  law- 
y(Ts,  he  a<'miiu>tered  the  inartificial  justice 
witli  siiort  jdeadiui^s,  enjoined  hy  i'enn  the 
founder,  as  the  reformeil  i^  Je  of  his  radical 
commonwoalth.  Tiu^  nu'ndiant  chief  jus- 
tice's son,  Andrew,  ]iro\incial  attorm^y- 
fji'ueral,  was  father  uf  the  consul,  Andnnv 
Allen  the  younjier;  connected  by  inter- 
marriages witli  the  I'enns  and  ilamiltons. 
who  jiave  provincial  governors  to  I'ennsyl- 
vania.  atid  otliers  of  the  jiro\  incial  aristo- 
eracy  as  thoroughly  English  as  they  were 
racily  recent;  and  after  tlie  llevolutioii  con- 
nected also  by  marriage  with  Hammond, 
the  first  Knglish  minister  conimissioneil 
from  the  Court  of  St.  James  to  dazzle 
J'hiladelphia  by  Kuropeari  luxuries,  and 
annoy  our  first  administratious  by  impress- 
ment and  sea-search. 

IJorn  from  the  bloody  bowels  of  a  revolu- 
tion he  had  every  reason  to  deplore  and 
decry,  taken  to  England  for  the  first  stages 
(if  his  education,  and  after  the  peace  re- 
turned to  America  to  finish  it,  thi^  future 
consul  as  a  sclioolljoy  made  himself  re- 
markable for  combative  English  disdain  of 
whatever  was  Amei-ican.  From  iiis  father, 
once  much  attached  to  his  birth-i  lace,  the 
pon  inherited  morbi<l  intensity  uf  English 
loyalty.  Persecuted,  banished,  fugitive, 
attainted,  his  ample  estates  aronml  IMiila- 
(lelidiia  confiscated,  his  nauio  pulilished  in 
a  catalogue  of  traitors,  compelled  to  live 
pensioned  and  die  reiiinin.g  in  a  foreign 
country  wliich  paid  without  respecting 
aliens  to  their  own;  the  fatii(>r  ruminateil 
that  deadliest  of  melancholy  hatred  which 
victims,  exasperated  by  proscription  :.nd  fir- 
feiture,  ('(infract  for tlieir  nativity.  Such  was 
the  inheritance  of  Andrew  , Mien,  the  Eng- 
lish consul  at  Hoston,  naturally  and  immu- 
tably an  Englisli  projiagtindist  in  America. 
For  many  years  of  tiiat  function  establish- 
ed among  the  descendants  of  some  of  the 
Kternest  autliors,  and  worst  antagonists  of 
the  Anieric.in  llovolution,  soured  with  their 
own  national  government,  inured  to  iduding, 
opposing  and  condemning  its  laws  of  peac(! 
and  of  war,  and  remitted  liy  that  antagon- 
ism like  recon<-iled  lovers  to  English  attaidi- 
iiients.  After  his  ili'parture  from  America, 
Mr.  Andrew  Alhm  took  ()rders  for  the 
church,  and  lived  ti  witness  the  vast  jiro- 
gress  of  the  United  States  when  two  wars 
with  flr(>at  l?ritain,  redeemed  transient 
di'^tress  by  porm-'nent  prosperity. 

The  IJritisli  mi.iistry  in  London,  Viv  their 
ordi-r  in  council  of  Sejitember,  l.'-!l2,  li- 
censed trade  between  enemies,  contrary  to 


the  first  principle  of  war,  not  to  mitigate, 
but  plagn(!  it  by  avarice.     Outrun   in   tho 
race  of  covetousness  bv  their  consul  Allen 
at  Boston  in  .July  of  tliat  year,  in  coiutert 
with  Admiral  Sawyer  at  Halifax,  two  of  tho 
most  rapacious   de|u'edators   next  year  in 
the  American  waters.    Admiral   Cockburn 
and  Captain  Barrie,  by  anticipation  )irotest- 
eil  against  loss  <d'  their  shar(!  (d'  plunder. 
Then  stationed  in  Cadiz  l>ay,  to  wat(di  the 
war  movements  in  Spain,  those  freebooters, 
l)y  an  ofli(dal  corresjiondence,  which  came 
into  possession  id'  our  government  from  an 
interloper  in  tin!  confidence  of  Consul  Al- 
len, jirotested  to   the   British  Government 
against   licenses    allowed    to    iirevent   tho 
harvest    tliey    anticipated     of    American 
prizes.     On  "the   bth   November,   1S12,   in 
that    struggle,    ministerial,   consular    and 
naval,  for  unlawful  gain  by  fraud  of  war, 
Ibdiert  Barrie,  captain  of  the   shii)  (iram- 
pus,  then  in  Cadiz  Bay,  wrote  to  Bear  Ad- 
miral  Cockburn,  "AVhen    I    detained    the 
American  brig  Lyilia  on  the  first  of  that 
month     her  master  and   sujiercargo   both 
assure  I  me  that  Mr.  Allen,  the  vice  con- 
sul at  Boston,  receives  fnnn  the  AnuM'ican 
owners  one  dollar  per  barnd  of  the  entire 
cargo  of  each    vesstd   whit  h   is   furnished 
with    his  license.      Tin;   terms   of   agree- 
ment  arc    one-half    tho     purchase-money 
paid    Mr.    Allen  down    when   he    delivers 
the  license,  the  other  half  to  bo  paid  if  tho 
vessel  arrives  safe  at  her  destined  port.     I 
shoubl  conctMve  myself  wanting  in  duty  if 
I  concealerl  su<di  infornnition.     I  eon<'eivo 
our  government  sIkiuM  be  aetpniinted  with 
the  fact.     May  1  retpiest  that,  before  I  pro- 
ceed (m  my  next  cruis(>,  you  will   furnish 
me  with  some  instructions  on   tho  subject 
of  Mr.  Allen's  pajHirs,  as  they  do  not  ap- 
pear to  mo  to  bo  connected  with  tho  one 
iiundred  and  eighty  licenses  left  by  ^Ir. 
Foster."     On    tho    same    November    Oth, 
1812,  Boa;-  Admiral   Cockburn,   from    on 
board  his  ship,  the  INLirl boron srh,  in  Cadiz 
Bay,  enidosed  that  letter  of  Captain  Bar- 
rie to   Vice  Admiral    INIartin,  in    a   letter 
from  Cocklairn.  com, daining  that   "a  Mr. 
Allen,   his  maiesty's   vice    consul  at   Bos- 
ton,  has  entered   uito   a  nefarious   agree- 
ment with  owners  of  American  vessels,  for 
lending  his  official  authority  towards  cover- 
ing th<>ir  profierty  across  the  sea.   As  those 
licenses  issued  by  Mr.  Allien  have  certainly 
no  rcdation  t((  the  one  hundred  and  eighty 
referred  ;o  in  Admiral   Sawyer's  letter  to 
the  admiralty  of  the  ISth  .fuly  last,  I  pro- 
]ioso,  till  T  veeei\o  your  further  directions 
on  tho  siibiot't,  authorizing  Captain  Barrie 
and  tho  other  officers  under  mv  command 
to  persist  in   not  respectinii  them,  and  to 
e  mtinue  to   send  to  a  British  port,  to  be 
there  treated  as  otlnn'  AmorieaTis,  tho  vos- 
s(ds   thev  may  fall  in  with   h(dding  these 
papers,  whi(di,  by  the  accompanving  state- 
ment, appear  to  havo  been  graniod  by  Mr. 


% 


[1813. 


Chap.  II.]  LORD  CASTLEREAfill'S  T.ETTHit  TO  ALLEN 

Allen  ninro  with  n  viow  tu  bin  privnto  in- 1  (•iiiisf'<|(U'n..,. 


43 


Alien    nmrc  «iia   u  mcw   m  mi!<    iuimui]    hi- i  i  iiiii-i'|m>ni'i.    <„,\,\ 

tiTcst  than  Ills  iml.lif  diilv."    On  tlio  siinic  I  IJiirrliiv  ami  s\,.  ,,  l'""   f'f  tliom    to   Lnnl 
Ctl;  Novciiihcr,  1S12,  CockluirK  l..\  letter  to  \  asccii.sh.ii  to  th.-  m',',''''*-'''.  *''i'f''"'ct.     At  iiis 
J.   \V.  Crokcr,  Ksij.,  Adiiiinilty,  "'  tiniti(j;lil !  (■(iiitiniicd  to  (liHiinh'"^'' '"  "'•'^o,  James  IJ. 
it  ri^jlit  to  trnnsinit,  witiioiit  loss  of  time,    his   )>i'ivate   |iiu]ierty,''' ,''ie   remain  '      as 
for  their  liirilships'  cnnsider-itinn,  the  eii|iy    wiili  the  ihmiaiii^:  iif  the'L''y  iiiumiiii,        (1 
of  his   letter  enelosin;.'   Cajitaln    IJarrie's.    ahdiratiun   in    lli^S,  he  anV.";     After  his 
transmitted    hy    him   (('(leklmrn)   lo    \ice   jnyed  in  exile  (with  the  eN'eef)'^   lieirs  en- 
Admiral  .Martin."     These  eiiinplaints  ]iro-    interniptidii     dnrin;;     17lti-7)     ."f  shcirt 
duced  a  h'tter  from  Mr.  C'ndver,  dated  Ail-    |io\ver    until    tlio    fonnnenoement    saiiuj 
miralty  OIHee, '2,';d  Xovemlier,  lSl'2,  to  W.    Anu-rican    lievointion.     I'lion    ajiidicUio 
Hamilton,   Esi).,   askinj;,   hy   eommand    (d'   then  to  tho  Kremdi  monareh,  the   l»uke 
the  Lords  Commissiiiners  of'tiie  Admiralty,  [  Alhany   in     177'.'    was    assured    that     the 
Lord  ("asi!erea;;h's  ojiinion  as  sron  as  jios-    American    l!e|iuli]ie  had    no    intention    to 
pilde,  ndative    to  licenses   issui'd    liy   Mr.    invade  tlie  ri;;hls  (d'  the  lumso  of  Stuart; 
Allen,   his  nnijesty'.s  consul  at   IJoston,  to    ami  win  ii    muler   tlie   7th   Aiaridi,    17^-1,  a 
American    vessels.      Accordin;i;ly,  oti    the    I'jiiladeiiiliia  lianker,  -Mr.   Jlidiert  ^Morris, 
2;')th    Novemlier,    iSj;!,    from   the  I'Virei^n    (di'ereil    to    ]iurcliase    these    ri;:hts    (jf    the 
OtHce,  Liird  Castlereaji'h's  letter  vas  cxjio- ■  Duke,  Tiouis  t\w  Sixteenth  hy  Cardinal  do 
dited  to  Andrew  Allen,  Ks(|.,  his  iuajesty's    Dernis,  his  amhassador  at    Uome,  desired 
consul,  IJoston,  transmittin;;  him  copies  ul'  him  to  deidini!  this  ofl'er,  p:i\iii,!r  him  in  lieu 
all  the  h(dore  mentioned  hitters  "witlire- |an    annual   jiension   cd"  2(l<l,(Kll»   livres,  on 
sjKM't  to  licenses  said  to  hi'  issiu'd  hy  you  ;  condition  that  as  Icnij!;  its  this  ])ension  wan 
without  authority,  ami  in  a  manner  dero-    rip:uhnly  jiald,  his  most  Christian  majesty 
gatory  to  the  character  of  a  iiersim  huhliiif!;    and  his  heirs  were  to  he  considereil  as  in- 
his  majesty's  cummissinn,  for  the'  protei-    vested  with  all  tho  ri^ht  of  the  Uuko  a     ' 
tion  of  American  vessels  loaded  with  corn    his  heirs.    This  pension  the  Ihiko  roceiv. 
for  the  J'eninsula.     I  desire  that  yon  will    until  his  death  in  January,  17S'.t,  ami  aftn 
lose  no  time  in  acquaintinji;   me  with   the    him   his  le-olher,  the  late  Cardinal  York, 
circumstaiu'es  relative  to  this  transaction,    until  June.  17'.I2. 

and  jpartieularl}' whether  the  licenses  al-  "In  the  will  of  tho  Duke  of  Alhany,  dated 
hilled  to  are  those  wliiidi  you  were  in  a  •  Florence.  Aujrust  .'!llth,  \~^><,  Count  Stuar- 
manncr  authorized  to  issue  hy  Admiral  |  ton  is  acknowh'dj^ed  next  to  Cardinal  York 
Sawyer,  ami  u]ion  which  you  have  already  i  his  lawful  heir,  an  acknowledfrment  con- 
heen  instructed  to  desist  from  any  further  |  firmed  liv  this  Cardinal  in  his  Avill.  dated 
issue  of  the  same,  without  immediate  in-  Home,  lelnuary  l.')th,  I7f<',l.  IJoth  these 
ptructions  from  his  majesty's  principal  j  wills  were  hy  Cardinal  de  Eornis  commu- 
Seeretary  of  State  to  that  etl'ect."  Sii;;ncd  j  nicated  to  the  Kin;i;  of  France,  who.  on  tho 
by  Castlerea^li's  neat  and  charai-teristic  i  !2il  July,  17SU.  ;;av(>  his  voval  assent  to 
liandwritin;-;,  too  well  known  at  the  Ameri- 1  Cuunt  Stiiarton's  rijrhts  and  claims,  with  a 

can    Department  of  State,   that   rehukinp; '  pi ise  to  confer  on  him  tho  vacant  title 

missive,  toi^ether  with  those  ]iri)ilucinfi;  it,  |  of  ]>uke  of  Alliany  as  soon  as  France  had 
all  furtively  taken  from  ^Ir.  Allen's  repo-   reco\ered    her   then    lost  trampiillity  and 


pitory   of    .such   precious  documents,  near 
Boston,  were  sent  to  Mr.  Monroe,  ex]iosin; 
the  ministerial,  consular  .and  naval  sliahhy 


order.  All  the  orio'inal  fjrauts,  assitrii- 
meiits,  hitters,  wills,  contracts  and  other 
documents   nientioniid    ahove,  are   in    tho 


strife  concerning  unlawful  gain  hy  trade    ]Missession  of  Cmiiit  Stuarton.  toirother  with 
in  wiir.  "  ■ 

On  tho  Mth  Octtdier,  IS!."],  a  letter  was 
eoniidentially  presented  to  the  Secretary  of 
State,  of  which  the  following-  is  copied  from 
tho  original.  To  His  Kxcelleney  the  Hon- 
orahlo  James  Monroe,  Seeretary  of  State, 
&e.  &e.  &(!. 

"  Sir— On  tho  12th  ]March,  IfifilM,  and 
on  the  '20th  June,  1C.74,  Charles  H.,  hy  h  t- 
tors  patent  under  tho  great  seal  of  England, 
ga\c  and  granted  to  his  hrother  James, 
I>uke  of  York,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all 
Mattewaks,  now  called  Long  [slaiid,  all 
Hudson's  River,  and  all  the  lands  from  the 
west  side  of  Connecticut  l{ivcr  to  tho  east 
side  of  Delaware  Ray.  Thes(i  gifts  and 
grants  were  confirineil  in  the  treaty  of 
peace  hotween  England  and  France  at 
r.reda,  July  21st,    l'-(')7,  and  in    London. 


the  papal  hull  id'  Deceinher  2;]d,  17U2,  de- 
(dariiig  the  legitimacy  of  his  grandfather 
as  son  of  James  111.,  commonly  called 
the  I'retemler,  the  only  legitinnite  son  of 
James  the  Second,  King  of  England,  with 
Agatho  Theresc  Adelaide,  Marchioness 
irM)!einais  do  St.  Luc  ;  and  the  decree  of 
Parliament  at  Paris,  dated  Ftduuary  2(ith, 
17o;'>,  coniirming  and  registering  tho  paiial 

"The  ohject  of  this  letter  is  to  solicit  on 
tho  part  of  Count  Stuarton  his  Excidlency 
the  I'resident's  ]K'rmission  for  the  tran- 
scription of  such  olticial  correspondence  or 
of  such  private  notes  of  verbal  conferences 
hetween  the  respective  agents  of  the  Ame- 
rican and  Frciudi  governments  which  nuiy 
have  taken  jdace  coneeriiing  tho  (daims  of 
the  ro\al  Smarts  from   177il   to   17S,'>.     I 


|J 


February  the  0th,  10 ("4;  aud  the  Duke  iu  i  have  the  honor  to  he  respectfully,  sir,   -our 


l-i'? 


44 


COUXT  STITATITON". 


[l*^!:! 


.XP( 


H.-«noy 


-<   nms 


t   o1)f>(1i(Mit   .'iii'l    Iiiiiiilili' '  riciin  |irnpcvty,  to  ho,   olitMinoil    from   tin 


scrviiiil. 

Uiii,  isi:?. 


'"  l>!iti'(l  Wiisliiii'i'ti'"  ''ifv'i  Oftoljcr    Aincriciin  (li|iliim:itif   rccoriN,  iiinl  ii  ciiit 


Tilt!   uiiinc  (1 


f  t\u- 


<tnior(liniirv,  invHto- 


rliiUM,  iuiil  ivftor  cxicnsiv. 


iuhI 


inv  sail'  pii-'siiu;!'  tn  Kiirii|ii',  with  tin'  iil 


aiii'c  (I 


f   U    II 


ii-di 


CXIH'IISIVI" 


ill    till'   roqiiital-t   aski'il    l\n'   intclli^ivi 


i\V- 


iiarv  iiii's  .i'i);fi'r,  \viii 


II  I' 


iin> 


aiia< 


la  III 


I   «,■■"■'■''    tln'i)iii;liipiit    Kiinijic,    noiu'  nf  It  imiiii|)i)rtinit,  hoiik'  ol'  it  a| 
I  (III'  J'niti'il  Stat(,'M,  tlic  never- :  I'ciillv  iiioiiii'Htdiis.     With  lari;i'   Kiirmi 


thel.vss    i,'Mhs,-.,MMV( 


I   uuthiir  of  that  ami    as  wdl 


pi'iiii 


as 


other 


iitlikahle    lette 


I'lcaii  ex]ierii'ii''('  iii  all  tl 


iliii'h    siiiiii  I'nl-    l)ve-\vavs    of    jj;n\c'riiiiii'iit,     Mmii'iie,    ci 


],,\,-,.|  If.  iierhaiw  an  assinneil  naiiie.  at  all  viin'eil  hy  •ImIiii   llcnvv's  disclnsiires   tliat 

(H'lits  iimnati'iaal  to  this  aeeonnt  of  him,  suecessive     Kii.;risli    ministries    lon;^    iiia- 

is  su|)|iresse(l,  heeanse  such  seems  IVum  the  ehinated  dilidiis   ednsiiiraeies   ii,;;ainst   tlii> 

paper-t  to  have  heeii    .Mr.  Monroe's  umler-  Aineriean    I'liion,   liefori*   iiiil    durin;;'  tli'' 
Htamliny;  with    that    informc'r,  or   was  his  |  war,  wary  us  he  was,  yet  imdiiied  to  creclit 

frei[uent  and  nrjrent  insistanee  anil  eondi-  the  most    alarmiii'^   ol'  these    Swiss   IiiIin, 

tion  of  ilic'  inforniatiou   he   hetrayed.     in  .Mr.  Mrskine  and  .Mr.  P'oster,  while  Knjrli-ii 


a    n 


linisters  in   the  I'niteil  States,  at  ditlerent 


ono  of  those  letters  he  ealled  liimse 
Swiss,  hy  the  iiinther's  side  ridati'd  to  smue  '  pcrioils  were  hoth  eredildy  re|iiirled  to  ha\o 
of  the  first  families  of  Kiiroiie,  haviii;;  hied  '  said  that  \ew  Kii^^laiid  AVoiild  ni'ver  fi.i^iit 
liy  thi<  side  of  Lniii  •  the  Sixteenth  on  the  ay'iiinst  (ireat  Miitain.  The  Swiss  simii 
loth  Aimust,  17'.>-  :  poor,  lait  rather  from  ,  sent  a  i-y|ilier,  with  the  l<cy  to  if.  in  whieh 
rhoiee  than  necessity,  prtd'erriiij;  an  hnin- ^  to  \eil  his  letters,  stiiinl.itiiij^  that  leiiie  ef 
Idi!  indepeiiilenee  to  any  alHiienee  a  liril- 1  them  should  he  seen  Imt  hy  the  I'lesiihnt 
liant  l)onclai;o  can  liestuw ;  livin;;  near '  and  Mr.  .^^lnroe,  ami  all  leifiied  when 
AVorcester,  .Massachusetts,  in  total  retire-  read :  with  anxiety  decl.ii'ini;:  that  the 
ment,  as  he  ai'tnally  lived,  dnriiuj  the  three  slijrlitcst  snsjiicioii  reaehin;^  .'Ir.  Allen  of 
years  ]ireeeilin;f  his  visit  to  \V;isliinj!;ton  in  his  ('orri's|iiiiidi'iii(>  with  otir  jroveriimcnt, 
OctoliiM",  ISlI!  ;  an  (dderly  ^^'iitleman,  of  Would  he  I'alal  to  his  means  id' iiiforine.tinii. 
pleasin;;;  address,  fascinatin;;;  manners  and  j  A  letter  in  I'yidier,  dated  .\civemli(>r  Jth, 
snperior  informaiiini  ;  ii  fntjitive,  he  said,  Isl;',  tieo-ui  "('huiici'  and  not  confidence 
from  the  police  and  veny;eance  of  Xapo-  has  placed  the  annexed  parcel  in  iiiv 
loon  ;  his  wife,  a  chtirmiii;;-  yonn;f  Hn;j;lis!i  hands,  ami  zeal,  not  interest,  transmits  it 
woman,  liorn,  she  said,  in  Somersetshire  ^  to  the  American  (iovernmenf."  enclosiii!;; 
near  IJath  ;  hotli  infiinat(>  with  .Mr.  Andrew  i  tiro  sheets  endorsed  hy  -Mr.  Monroe.  "  Sir 
Allen,    the    British    consul    at    15ostoii,    at  '  (leor^je    Pnno' t's    instrnctioiis    to    I'ritisli 


ae'onfs  in  the  I  n't-'d  States, 
into   thirtv-'-ix   iieads,  vi/ : 


Si: 


divided 


ono  tiino  relei;;ated  to  AV'orcesfer,  and  Avith 

his  respectalde  associates,  the  I'erkins,  into  thirtv-'-ix  iieads,  vi/ :  "  To  ascertain 
Truinhnlls,  Parson  (ianliner,  and  others  of  in  eaidi  of  the  jj;.ivcrnineiits  of  the  I'liited 
the  liest  social  standinji  therealioiits,  whose  Stati's  wliether  any  foreign  inlhienco  jn'o- 
attentions,  hospitalities  and  presi>nts  to  ;  vails  therein,  and  the  name  of  the  state, 
those  attractive*  and  secluded  stran^jers,  ;  nation  or  ctoiintry  on  hehalf  of  whii'h  siicli 
imparted  consiijeration.  and  ena'ded  them  '  inllvu'nco  appears,  if  possilde,  also  fiml 
to  master  and  betray,  if  so  disposed,  the  " 

plans  and  liorrcspondence  of  tic  coiisnl, 
and  others  dealiiij;  with  him  in  illicit  com- 
merce hy  I'rilish  licenses,  or  other  con- 
trivances, contrary  to  the  lavv  and  weltare 


mt  the  persons  and  idiani 


lels  wherehy  suidi 
intlneiice  is  can'ied  on,  and  hy  what  mi^ins, 
whether  liy  hriliery  and  persmial  advan- 
ta'j:es  field  out,  or  liv  commercial  and  other 
national  lienifiis  proposed.''      "Ascertain 


of  this  country.  To  this  day  it  remains.  !  what  proportion  the  two  contending;  parties 
and  prohaltly  innst  forever  he  nnknown,  in  AnuM'ica,  namely  the  federalists  and 
whether  those  accomidished  foreiitners  deniocrats,  liear  to  each  other."  "  In  what 
weri!  ]']nu;lisli  spie.s,  as  was  helieved  hy  proportion  the  federalists  incline  towards 
many,  or  mere  adventurers.     lictters  from    the  interests  of  (ireat  IJritain  or  France  in 


Swiss    liiiiiself  and    copies   of   letters 
lini  from  persons    of   coiiseijuence,    as 


the 
to 

he  stated,  in  jjoiidon,  I'aris,  Pra;j;ne, 
Frankfort  and  Stockholin,  which  he  sent  to 
IMr.  l^IMnro'^  jiistiiied  the  impression  that 
if  an  iiniio-^for  he  was  no  eonimon  one  ; 
and  as  siicii  the  medium,  if  of  some  ticti- 
tioiiH,  also  of  mucli  u.sefiil  information. 
Secluded,  as  tlie  Americ-in  (ioverument 
was,  by  hostile  ntivai  hiiidranee  from  earlv 
and  accurate  lluroinan  intelliireuci',  s\ich 


the  firesent  war,  and  the  jiroportion  of 
democrats  who  esjioiisc  the  cause  of  either 
party  ;  whetlier  the  privsent  election  of 
I'lesiih'iit  and  \'ice  President  has  caused 
any  disunion  in  either  of  the  parties;  what 
measures  a'-e  most  likely  to  be  adopted  by 
those  unfriendly  to  (Jreat  IJrifain,  and 
what  liy  her  friends,  as  most  likely  to  pro- 
mote her  interests:  in  what  proiiortion 
e;i(  h  State  has  sull'cred  by  the  enibar:;'o  ; 
whetlier  it  is  probalile  it  will  be  ve^isted 
o]ieiily  by  any   and  wliieh  fd"  the    States; 


Euro]ii.an    curresjKUideiieo    was    vainabh 

and  its  American  dis(dosnres  still  more  |  whether  resistance  to  the  embarj^o  would 
B'>.  X)  ]iay  WIS  re(|uireil.  fiiformation  j  lead  to  a  .'-eparation  of  the  Unit(>d  States; 
concerninj^  tlie  royal  Stuart's  priv.ito  Anio- ,  whothcr  iiny  party  wi.shos  it,  or  State,  and 


CiiAr.  II. 

vhether  ll 

rioiis  to  tl 
with  maiij 
rey;ular  ail 
the  rniteJ 
Bcvi-ral   cil 
anioiiii;  thi 
po\eriimel 
y.hat   api| 
Veriiment| 
liiaiisianal 
.the  naval  \ 
taken  phitl 
of  recent  tl 
vhether  t| 
the  I'nitei 
what  allei 
C'onjiress 
from  the  m 
pursued, 
pursue  thil 
tain  what 
feasibility 
.Kew    Bru 
vhether  1 
haldtants 
partiality 
States,  to 

■  rate  from 
fedora  cy  o 

Althoujj 
pVu'afed  I 
person  wh 
British  de 

■  yet  (idiiai? 
contrivanc 
moans,  we 
instructioi 
ated  in  ("a 
from  Knj 
implied  A 
also  reniii 
altv  to  r 
rn'ited  St 
fear  of  th 

.Korth-Hai 

•  rican  host 

liut  by  s 

thnaijilioi 

non(!  but 

contomidi 

(locumeni 

loyalty,   i 

Sootia  lia 

prehonsii 

countcua 

lined  by 

individua 

acts  of  f" 

there  wo 

solemnly 

Eastern 

Isew   En 

(Uhor  co: 

titions  a 

Stuart,  a 

royal  mc 


no<l  from  tin; 
•*.  iiinl  11  I'lirtcl 
litli  till'  alluu- 

'  int('lli;ii'iii  1', 
10  (if  it  iipiiii. 
v^t'  Hurojii.ai, 
ii"<>  ill  ail  llii> 

MllIII'IM',      (Mill. 

icliisurcs   that 

"'S      loli;r     |„;i. 

<  ii;r!iiii>t  tlii> 
\  (liirin;;-  tlic 
iiii'il  ti)  crcilit 
Swiss  iiiliw, 
ivliilc  Kii^rii-li 

H.  at  (liU'rl'i'llt 

mrtt'il  to  iiiiM; 

'1  iii'vcr  fiL'lit 

Swiss    SI  Mill 

I'  if.  in  wliiil) 

tliat  ii'iiic  (it' 

ll'-     i'll'si-ll'llt 

I'n-iu'il  wlii'ii 
I1K  tliat  till! 
-■•li'.  Alli'ii  (if 
pivf'vnini'iit, 
iiifiiniiJitinii, 

ilV(M!lll(>r   Itli, 

it  (■(inlidciic" 

in(>i    ill    inv 

tiaiisinits   it 

',"    OlU'iosill!^ 

iiiivdc.     "Sii- 

■<    to    15i'itisli 

\l\"  (lividcl 

I'll  asiMM'taiii 

'  tli(>  I'liitcil 

l!ii(^in-(^  prc- 

f  till-   stat(\ 

wliicli  siicJi 

',   also    find 

ii(M-cliy  sncji 

wliat  nutans, 

nial  advan- 

il  and  (itlwr 

"  Ascertain 

lin;^  partic-! 

■ralists   and 

'■  In  what 

ni>  towards 

V  Franco  in 

o|iiii'ri(in    of 

<('  of  citlu'r 

cliH-ticiti    of 

lias  (.-ansctl 

I'tics  ;  wliat 

ado]it('(l  liy 

litain,    and 

k(dy  to  prc- 

]iroi>ortion 

011(1  iai\a,'o  ; 

lio  !T?iste(i 

ho   States  ; 

u-'^ii  would 

lod  States; 

State,  and 


Chap.  II.l  PHEVOST'S  PETEC'TKn  IXSTUrCTIONS. 

♦ — 

vlu'tlier  ft  H(^f)iiration   is  considercil  inju-    forc-inentioiu'd  orij;iiial  li^ttcM-s  ot 
.rioiis  to  the  country  at    hir;;e." — 'l'ii;rctlier    siioiideiice  hetweeii  Lot  I  ( 'astlei-ca;: 

i  the  iiiiiitaiy,    (  oiisiil  Alien,  with  those  of  Admiial 
naval  force  Iif   liuin,  ('a|ptaiii  IJarrie  and  S( 'ictary  Cniker, 


>rro- 

:h  an<l 
villi  nianv  ([iierics  resiieciin;:;  the  iiiilitiiiy,  ('oiisiil  Allen,  with  those  of  Admiral  Cuilt- 
-r<'y;ular  and  militia,  ami  the 

in  the  liiinds  id'  the  Aineriean   Executive. 


'y;iilar  and 
the  rniled  States,  jorts,  arsenals,  i^e,,  are 
peveral  coiicernin^;  Spain  and  i'cilii;ral 
nmoiiij  them,  "whether  the  (dian;;c  in  the 
p.i\eriimcnt  of  Sjiain  has  excited  any  and 
vhat  appridiensioii  in  the  Aineriean  (<o- 
veriinient  re>|icctin;!;  the  aci|uisiiiiin  (i 
.lionisiami,  and  \'.liether  iiiiv  increase  (d' 
.the  naval  or  military  force  ol  America  has 
taken  place  in  that  (|uarter  in  eonse(|iience 
of  recent  events."  " 'I'o  mark  )iailicnliiily 
•whether  the  opinions  of  the   I'l'csiileiit  of 


iieliicetl  hy  all  tlie.'C  fir(  \imslaiiees  to  lend 
some  cautious  credit  to  an  extraordinary 
inference,  and  coiiviiiceil  nf  the  (Mnvariaiit- 
ahle  idl'oils  oi  the  Enjrlish  government  in- 
duciii;;  ours  to  eiideinor  to  discoM'r  whether 
l'ie\ost  had  .\merican  instruments.  It  was 
information  the  Executive  thou;j;ht  neither 
to  he  disre;j;arde(I  nor  licdieved  without  iih 
certainmeiit.  Some  time,  therid'ore,  after  tin) 
first  assurances  from   the  osteiisihle  atreiit 

cf      '     •    ■ 


the  I'nilcMl  Slates  have  undei^roiie  any  and  ,  of  Count  Slmirtoii,  the  (dii(d'  ( leik  in  the 
■what  alterations  since  the  hist  meetin<:;  (d'  State  jlepartment,  .)(din  (Iraliam,  a  respect- 
t'on^ress  ;  whether  he  appears  to  waver  |  aide  and  trustworthy  a;;ent,  was  |iri\al(dy 
from  the  measures  wlii(di  he  so  strenuously    (lespat(died  to  ^Massat  huselts  with  the  fol- 


jmrsiied,  and  still  apjiears  determine(l  to  ,  lowin;i;  letter  (d'  instrnetioiis  from  the  Sc- 
jiursiie  the  same  line  of  eoiidnet  ;  to  ascer- 
tain what  ideas  are  eiitertaineil  as  to  the 
feasiliility  and  mode  of  attacking;  Canada. 
Kew  |{runswiek  and  Nova  Scotia,  and 
whether  hy  sea  or  land  :  whether  the  in- 
haliitaiits    of    those    ]irovinces    have    any  | 

partiality  or  atta(  hmeiit  for  the  I'nited  j  confidence  that  you  w  ill  execute  it  w  illi 
States,  to  favor  or  assist  them,  or  to  sepa- i  ahility,  uprightness  and  discretion.  'J'ln; 
rate  from  (Ireat  Hritain  and  enter  the  con-    foUnwinji;  details  will  explain  tin;  nature  uf 

this  trust  and  its  duties. 

"  A  Swiss  ficntleman,  liy  the   name  of 


I  cretary  (d'  State,    whiidi    is    ineorporatod 
\  entire  with  my  text  as  the  hest  iiarrutive. 

I  To  Mr.  fimliam. 

"Sin: — The  I'residi.'nt  commits  to  you  a 
very  imjiortant   and  di  licate  trust  in  full 


federacy  (d"  tin;  I'nited  Slates.' 

Althou}j;li  thos(i  prafjmatical  f|ueries  im- 
plicated no  American  state,  or  ^airty,  or 
person  whatever,  in  collusion  with  sinister 
JJritish  desifrns  ajiainst  American  w(dfare, 
■  yet  odiiais  and  danjienius  go\('rnniental 
contrivances  a^rainst  it  hy  (dandestine 
moans,  were  the  Imrdeii,  tenor  and  aim  of 
instructions,  whi(di  could  not  Jiave  origin- 
ated in  Canada,  hut  must  have  pine  there 


in; 


,  communicated  to  mo  the  follow- 

facts: — 'J'hat  there  existed  in  the  llast- 


ein  States  a  consiiiraey  ajrainst  th(>  wcdfare 
and  hai>piiiess  of  these  States.  'I'liat  Na- 
tiv(>  American  citizens  and  15ritish  aj^ents 
were  parties  to  it,  and  Ihiston  its  jirinciiml 
theatre  or  liead((uai'ters,  wliere  a  society 
was  instituted  called  a  '  committee  of  New 
from  England,  and,  however  unjustly,  {  Enjjland  Jioyalists;'  that  its  (dijeet  was  to 
implied  American  infid(di(y.  1'li(>re  wa.s  |  effect  a  dissolution  of  the  I'liion,  and  esta- 
nlso  remarkalile  doiilit  of  Canadian  loy- !  Wish  a  nuinareliieal  form  (f  f^ovcrnment, 
city  to  l]n<rland  and  imdinalion  to  the  with  the  Jhike  of  Kent  at  its  liead,  com- 
.I'liited  States;  and  still  more  remarkalile  i  prisinjr,  in  the  first  instance,  the  New  Ihi}^- 
fear  of  the  exposure  of  the  other  JJritish  ,  land  States,  under  the  name  of  th(>  kin<;;doni 
. Korth-Eastern  American  Provinces  to  Ame-  !  of  New  Enj^land,  to  he  extended  ai'terwards 
rican  hostile  occn|iation,  not  only  hy  land,  as  circumstances  favored,  to  all  the  States, 
Itut  liy  sea.  Importing;;  American  unity  \  That  this  c(mspiraey  vvas  formed  nt,  or 
thronjihout  all  the  confederati'd  States,  for  '.  ahout  the  close  (d'our  revolution,  had  hecn 
jninc!  hut  those  of  New  En^^land  could  lie  ■  approved  hy  (ieoi'se  the  I'liird,  who,  to  pro- 
contemiilated  as  in(dined  to  dis\inion,  that  i  mote  its  success,  had  ]iromised  to  the  sub- 
document,  suf!;;i;estin;i;  doulits  of  Canadian  jects  of  his  son,  all  the  commercial  advan- 
loyalty,  and  New  15runswick  and  Nova  tajjes  and  )irivile<;es  that  were  enjoyed  hy 
Seotia  liahility  to  invasion,  revived  the  aji-  his  own  suhjeets:  that  some  of  tlies'o  New 
.prehension  (hjrived  from  Mr.tiuincyAdains,  !  Enfrland  royalists  had  fre(|uent  conferenees 
countenance(l  hy  jlenry's  mission,  conti- i  with  the  l)ukc  (jf  Kent  when  he  was  in  this 
lined  hy  the  violent  hin^iua^ic  of  Eastern  ;  country,  respectin}^  the  means  of  aceoni- 
individuals,  and  conlirmed  hy  the  inimical  I  plishin<f  the  ohjects  of  this  eons)iiracv,  and 
acts  of  State  authorities  in  the  east,  that  [  that  they  had  kept  up  a  re^rnlareorresiiond- 
tlicro  were  jiarty  leaders,  as  Mr.  Adams  '  once  Avith  him  fince,  hy  means  of  Uritish 


solemnly  averred,  ready  to 
Eastern    Stales    from    tin; 


dismemlier  the    aj^ents  in  America,  and  American  ajient.s 

rest,    and    jiut  |  in  Eniiland ;  that  the  committee  make  an- 

■  K(HV   Enjiland    under    British    jirotection.  !  luial  icport  of  the  state  (d'  this  countrv  to 

(•ther  communications,  from  a  real  or  tic-  [  the  IJriti.'^h  ^•overnment:  that  the  order's  in 

titioiis  aji;ent,  of  a   real  (ir  fictitious  royal  |  council,  ami  other  measures  iidopted  hy  the 

Stuart,  as  it  mi'^ht  he,  hut  who,  if  real,  had  '  British  j^overnment  a<;ainst  *he  eomn'ieree 

,  royal  means  of  knowledge,  placed  the  he- 1  of  the  Uuited  SlutetJ,  v.ere   e 'sgeated  by 


46 


IXSTUrf'TIOXS  TO  MH.  nitATIAM. 


ri«n, 


till'  cimtniiUco  in  tin-  lin]"'  tlitit  tlii'V  whiiM  | 

III-  illl|iMti'i|  III  tl|i<    IMiM-'liri'S    III'  till'   li('|il|lr' 

li«"ih   |p:irty  ill  |iu\vi'i',  iiinl  tln'vrliv  ili'stniv 

till'     ^ii\i'rilin:'llt    ill    ill illliilcliri'    1)1'    lllr 

jti"i|ili';  tliiit  ill   i>^n7,  11  well  ili^c-ti'il  |i|iui 
of  II    iniiiiiii'cliifiil    fiiii-'itiitiiiii.  iiihIit  tin- j 
8iiVi'ri'i;;iity  111'  till'  I'liki'iif  i\i'iit,  wiis  Kent 
liy  till'  I'liiiimilti'i'  to   Kiii^hiiiil,  with  mhin': 

fllllllljc'ci   nil    till'   Slllll'     1)1'    illl'llil'S     lit     llllll    |ll'-j 

riciil,  lidw  til  iiii'ri'.isc  the  ]iiililic  ili-^ciniti'iit,  | 
uihI  |iriiiiiiit(!  llh'  Micfi'.is  (if  till'  .'iiii-iiiriii'v  : 
tli;it  till"  iir;^;iiii/.!iliiiii   iil'  nil  iiiill-'l  iiiiiiiiiy 
Hiii'ii'lv  \v;i>i  iitiii'ii;:;  tin'  iiii'ii^iircs  tlim  mii;^- 
gi'sti'il,  Init  tliiit  li_v  ilii'i-ctiiiii  III'  till'  iJi'ttisli  ■ 
giivi'i'iiiiii'iit,  |ilill;iiillirii|iy,  mill  not  iiulitii-s, 
VMS  niaili!  tilt'  iisti'iisilili'  olijci't,  til  wliii'li  \ 
Bmirci',  it  is  hflii'Vi'il,  tli;it  tin'  Wiisliiii^tnn 
biMU'ViiU'iit  smii'tii's  lU'i'  to  III'  triu'rij;  tliiit  ' 
till'   coniinitti'i!  liml  ri'i-rivi'il   CIn.iliii)  ^Wv-\ 
liiii;,  for  the  ii'<i>  ol'tlii'si'  -oi'lctli'^,  hail  iixki'il  j 
jC'J, 110(1  iinmiiiliy  for  tln'rirruliition  of  tlirir  i 
onitioiis  mill  ci'li'hnttion  of  tln'ir  fc-^tiviils,  j 
ainl  woro  to  hivo  tlii'ir  ollifiul  (lazcltc,  fori 
vhii'li    ,Cri,00l)    iiioiH!    wcru    iiskcil ;    that  j 
^('iD.tlOO  hml  bi'ou  ('X)ionil('tl  liy  it  in  ]iro- 

niotin/x  till'  I'h'e'tioii  of  i) (' :   that 

inoiii'V  lia'l  been  iiilvaii''('il  to  tho  oilitor  of 
tho  Washiii^rtoiiian.  a  N'criiiont  iiapcr,  for 
vhii'h  his  boiiil  Innl  hi'i'ii  ili'positi'il  with 
the  ooiiiniitti'i'  at  iJostim  :  that  ho  hail  seen 
thrt'o  (iri^^inal  h'ttcrs.  ono  from  the  Si'crc- 
tary  of  the  Ihiki'  of  (iloccstcr,  another  from 
till'  Sorri'tary  of  the  !>iiko  of  Vork,  and  tho 
tiiiril  from  the  Sccri'tary  of  tho  I'rineo  of 
■NValos,  approving;  the  nioasmes  of  that 
Coiiiniittee. 

"  Mr. ronininnieati'il  the  above  details 

on  tlifi  authority  of  a  foreitrner  of  dislino- 
tion,  a  jiensionor  of  the  Hritish  jrovernment, ! 
who  had  boon  loiijr,  and  was  then,  in  thi^'. ' 

coantr\'.     I  understood  from  !\lr. that' 

lie  made  the  commnnicution  to  mo  at  the 
instaneo  of  that  foreigner,  who  eoniiilained  ; 
of  liein;^  injured  by  the  IJritish  ^ovornnieiit  | 
in  re;j;ard  to  his  )iension,  said  to  be  .ClS(il)^ 
per  annum  :  and  i'or  the  purpose  of  o]ien- ' 
in^  a  ne;i;otiation  with  this  ;];overnnient.  I'or 
the   distdosuro  of  the  iiifoniiaiion  ho  pos- 
gcssod,  and  documents  sujiportinij;  it,  jiar- 
ticiilarly   the  three  oi'ii;-inal    letters   above 
mentioned,    for   an  adeiiuate   roeompenso. 
15y  a  letter  from  the  l'"orei,ii;n  OHiee  to  Mr.  Al- 
len, which  has  boon  since  intercepted,  it  ap- 
Soars  probable  that  this  forei,i;ner  is  a  Count  ' 
tiiarton,  sufiposed  to  bo  tlii!  lineal  descend-  I 
nnt  of  the  liouso  of  Stuart,  formerly  on  the  | 
British  throne,  and   that  his  jionsion  was! 
£-2in\  sterlinjr,  annually,  and  not  ClMOO. 

"  I  replied  in  ifeneral  terms  to  I\Ir. , 

that  tho  conduct  of  the  IJritish  f^overnnient 
towards  the  United  States  was  so  well 
known  to  bo  odiously  criminal  and  detest- 
able, that  documents  lixinf;  new  facts  on  it, 
would  be  of  less  iinportanco  than  such  as 
established  tho  jjnilt  of  our  own  citizens 
who  had  combined  with  it  in  so  black  and 
atrocious   a    conspiracy :    that  when   Mr. 


Mem     miide  his  disidnsiire,  the  government 

had  111. I  iiriTi'd  tl spoiiire  of  any  of  our 

own  |ieoplc,  belii'\  illji'  that  th"y  had  been 
li'd  into  error  by  parly  feeliii;r,  and  not  by 
corriipliiiii ;  but  that  the  fads  staled  by 
him,  with  other  circiimstain  cs,  if  true, 
coiild  not  be  iiccounted  i'or  in  any  other 
way;  that  they  jiroMil  the  most  shameful 
prostitution  of  principle  for  llie  \ile.st  pur- 
poses.     'I'o  lix   the   ;;iiilt  of  tiles ilispiril- 

tors  would  be  an  object  of  very  liii^h  im- 
portance.    In  an  intii'\iew  Avith  .Mr. 

the  next  day,  he  iiiforiiied  me  that  the 
forei;;n  nobleman,  at  whose  instance  ho 
had  communicated  to  me  the  above  details, 
had  left  town,  in  conseijiieiice  of  his  report 
to  him  of  what  he  had  iiiiderstood  to  be  tho 

siibstan f  my  reply  to  (hi'  oNcrtiire  made 

me.  'i'liis  was  the  (ir>t  iiiiimation  }:;iv(!ii 
me  that  such  a  person  had  been  here. 

"  Mr. conimiinicateil  to  me  other  in- 

tere<tiiij;  facts,  from  his  o\\ii  knowli'd;;e, 
relalinj;'  principally  to  the  conduct  of  ,Nlr. 
Allen,  late  l»riti,-h  a;;entat  Moston  in;;rant- 
\n<i  licenses  to  favor  a  trade  with  the  eno- 
niy,  and  in  intri^uiii;^;  with  the  disiilected 
there.  He  informed  me  also  of  .Mr.  aIIoii's 
haviiii^  absconded  to  avoid  a  prosecution 
which  had  been  instituted  a;:;aii,st  him  by 
Older  of  the  ;^overiiiin  nt  for  ;:;niiitini^  sucii 
licenses,  and  that  a  deputy  from  the  royal- 
ist committee  had  accomi>anied  him  to 
(Quebec,  to  adviso  tho  British  }i;overninent 
to  ])riisecuto  tho  war,  until  it  should  be 
able  to  dictate  a  peace,  and  secure  to  itself 
the  next  presidency,  to  be  lilled  by  ono  of 
the  democratic  party,  for  which  piir[)ose, 
measures  oiii;lit  to  lie  taken  to  di\ido  the 
Southern  and    .\ew  York  democrats.     Mr. 

thinks  that  many  important  documents 

relatinji  to  tho   general   conspiracy,   woro 

left  with in  a  trunk,  which  is 

pitlier  in  tho  possession  of ,  or  the 

,    of   r>ostiiii.      Whiit   Mr.    

knew  of  his  own  know  led;^",  ho  was  willini^ 
to  commuiiicate  without  any  specific  re- 
ward. He  solicited  a  )iassport  for  himself 
and  fiinily  for  Kinnlainl,  he  liavin;^  married 
an  Iln^lish  lady  who  was  in  bad  health, 
and  desirous  of  returnin;!;  to  her  friends;  he 
ofl'erod  to  retnler  to  the  United  States  all 
the  services  in  his  jiower  either  hero  or  in 
Kiiropo,  and  to  leave  to  the  ^overnnient  to 
make  him  siirli  recompensi'  hereafter,  if 
any,  as   ho   niij:;ht  bo  tliou;;ht  to  have  div 

served.     IMr.  to  writ(!  to  mo  on  his 

return  to  AVorcester,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  IJoston,  the  place  of  his  residence,  and 
to  communicate  what  ho  nii.uht  discover 
touchinj:;  the  above,  which  li(>  should  doom 
suflicienily  intorostiii<>;.  lie  has  written  to 
mo  since,  two  letters,  which  have  tended 
to  iner.iso  tho  idea  of  the  importance  of 
his  wdiole  disclosure." 

Since  tho  nioi'al  emancipation  of  this 
country  from  Kn;£lish  influence  achieved 
by  tho  war  of    1812,  and  its  subsequent 


jjovcrniiifnt 
any  of  (nir 

y  liail  1 II 

iiml  imt  l)y 

H  Htiiti'il  liy 

>H,    ir    trill', 

I  luiy  otlicr 
Ht  sliuiiii'rul 
I'  vili'st  pur- 
se cnlisiiiril- 
ry  liii^li  iiii- 

tl.  Mr. 

II'   that   tliM 

illstMIICt!  Ill) 
MlVC  (IctllilM, 

i|"  liis  rcimrt 
pdtl  tn  lit!  tlio 
rrtiiri'  iiiaild 
Mtidii  j^ivou 

II  liprc. 

mi'  ittliiT  in- 
kiii)\vl('il;;(', 
iliict  of  Mr. 
tdii  in  ^raiit- 
.i(li  till'  I'lio- 
'  ilisiiTi'rtcil 
'  Mr.  Allen's 
jirosei'iitimi 
ii.st  liiiii  liv 
■aiitiii:^  .Miii'li 

III  till!  royal- 
lieil    him   to 

<:;iivovniiiPiit 

t     Slllllllll     III! 

■lire  to  itself 
•il  liy  one  of 
eh  |iiirj)oso, 
o  ili\  ido  till! 
ici'iitH.  Mr. 
t  iliiciimoiits 
liiai'v,  wero 
ik,  which  is 
— ,  or  till) 
it   Mr.   -— 

was  wiHiii}^ 

s|i('cifii!  re- 
t  fur  himself 
in;;  marrii'il 

liait  health, 
r  frieinls;  he 
•il  States  all 
r  here  or  in 
verniiient  tn 
hereafter,  if 

to  iiavo  (le- 
)  me  on  his 
eitrhliorliood 
sideiire,  anil 
rht  (liseover 

lionlil  (locm 
IS  written  to 
h.ivo  tended 
iportauco  of 

tinn  of  this 
oc  Jichioved 
i  subsequent 


Chap.  IT]  rOY.VT.TST  .<5F.rr.FT  ASSOn.MFOXFl.  47 

iif    the    ,\lnerieiill     I,iiV:lll.-ts."    fnf    imi|lie« 


piviirpe-Kiive   develdptiletlt,   ii    eotlspirili'V   or  ;  of    ,,,■     ...■ _. .    . 

Iilin    to    re^tiiie    h.ii.rli»h  ^iiivermiienf   hiis    tionaMe    |iriiii|'  i.f  tl. hlrary, 
lei'uliie  ilieredilili',  mill  lllii-t  of  till'  pri'sent  J  the    ediieati'd     .\  lie'ri'-alis     Wtle    'I'llie-i    in 


One-half 


liei'iiiiie  liieri'iimii',  aini  mii»[  I'l  ine  pri'seni  iiie  eniieaieM  .iiie'ri' .ins  «tie  iiriet  in 
penenitiiiii  will  lie  apt  to  lliink  eniifeiiiptii- '  heart,  and  oiie-third  in  faii;:iiinai\  aitinii. 
(iii-'lv  of  Mr.  .Mi'nroe'>  ai'preliensiun  of  the  I  WIiIl's  did  imt  propose,  nor  Tories  oppnf^e, 
lloviuii  rosali^ts.  Ilni  III  I7>"7.  .Mexander '  indepeiideiiee.  All  that  all  de-ircd,  was 
Ji.iiiiiltiii.'liy  a  letter  tot'Mloiiel  W'adswm  tli.  '  hetter  Fnj^lish  treatment;  AVhiv's  niori! 
relerred  to  a  report  in  the  l>iiily  Adxer- 1  earnest  to  eumpliiin  of  want  of  it  ilniii  To- 
tiser  of  \i'\v  \ork,  of  .\ii;'iist  IStli,  17^7,  ries,  lait  separation  of  the  eolonies  tV(iiii  the 
hat  a  proj.'el  was  in  eniLryo  (or  the  esta- 1  mother  emiiitrv,  was  llie  u  iM  iinlii.n  of  \eiy 
dislinieiit  of  il  iiiomii'i  'iv,  at   the  head  ol';  lew,  whirh  destiny  l>ri'ii;.dit  almiit.  as  most 

Ifllil.ll  if        1.-.IM       I'illlf.ilMI  itixl  III         Il1-Il<l>         llll>  lllllllMII      I'VlilllS       !lfl.       tll.lM  .III   I  .1  t  «ll|itl         IIHIIirillll 


|ilis|imeiit  ol   il  iiiomii'i  'iv,  at   the   iieint  oi  :  lew,  wiiuli  ilestmy  l>ri'ii;.'lit  aiiniit.  as  most 

whieli    it   \i'as  eoiiti'iii|    iied    to   place    the  hiinian  events  are  accninplislied,  niankind 

J  Mike  of  York,  then  c.illed  lUshop  of  ( •sua-  know  in;;  not  how,  till  they  cuiiie  to  pass,  ami 

liiir;;;  and  desired  Co'onel   \\  adsworth   to  then  (daimiii;^  them  as  their  own  wise  work, 

trace   its  Noiirce.     Coliiiel   AV'adswortli   in-  'i'hat  siiidi  a  royalist  secret  society  existed 

(juired  of  Colonel   llnmpliries,   whose  an-  in    Jloston,  as   the  Swi-.s  tidd  .Mr.  .^|ll||roe, 

Nwer  the  tirsi  nf  Seplemlier,  17^7,  to  lliiiii-  is  not  improlialde.     Thi'iisaiids  of  the  liest 

lM..tl       1l'<llJ  tll'll         llll       tll'hjt         tJ>l\t-       it       I       -        lllll       llllllll^  Illilll  111  Al   -t  ^  ^'t  kIi  I  I  Ud  t  t  >J         1t-lll>lk         Lji  .  t'lll'J.  t  ir  t).\- 


iltoii  was,  that  lie  first  saw  it  i.  the  hands 
(if  •lured  .Maiisliclil.  formerly  a  reputed  loy- 
nlist:    addin;.',   " 'i'lie    iilliniafe    practicalii- 


.1'       ..>',       ,,..|'l'>i'.*'>.'      .  I      IK       .K-ll.l-t.^       .'I  1,11  IM     1-»W 

men    of   Massachusetts  were   severely   de- 

iioiiii I    hy  \\'a-liiii;;tiin    for  leaviiiL''  Itos- 

toii  with  the   llrilish,  w  hen   it  sum  nden  d 


niist:  ai|iiin;r,  ■  j  tie  iiiiiiiiim'  praciicaiii- 1  ion  w  iin  iiie  nriiisn,  wnen  it  sum  leien  ii 
lify  of  inlroiiiiciii'j;  the  llisliop  of  ( Isiiitlair};  j  to  his  arms.  Halifax  was  pcnjled  l^v  tlioso 
is  not  a  novel  idcii  amoni;  ilio-e  who  were'  loyalists  and  imliiied  wiili  tlieir  hitter  Fn;;- 
formerly  terined  loyalists.  Kver  since  the  lish  hatreds  and  hopes.  '|'he  intercoiirso 
l>eace,  it  has  heeii  occasionally  talked  of  hetweeii  JIalifax  and  IJosti  n,  ahviivs  fre- 
and  wished  for.  Yesterday,  where  1  dined,  (|iieiit,  in  If^lilwas  incessant  and  traitor- 
half  jest,  half  earnest,  he  was  ;;iven  in  the  oils.  IJy  a  litter  froiii  ihe  Foreign  OHjco 
4ii..;f  »,..iuf        I    111. I,. I    <',.ii    t,.    III, II, I, .f    iw.it'    tl.   Ml.    'v  11,,.,    ,.!.;.. I.  ......  :..>, .I...I    I 


.V  ■ r. 

lirst  toast.  I  li'iive  yoii  to  reflect,  how 
ripe  we  iire  for  the  mo>t  mud  iind  ruinous 
project  that  can  lie  su^'iicsteij,  when  in  ad- 
dition to  this  view  we  take  into  con-'dera- 
tioii  how  tlioroii;;lily  the  patriotic  part  of 
the  eoiiiiiiiinity,  the  friends  of  an  elticient 
government,  are  diseoiira;;cil  with  the  jire- 
Ri'iit  system,  and  irritated  at  the  popular 
denia;ro;;u(>s,  who  \ro  delerieined  to  kei'p 
themselves  in  otfici'  iit  the  risk  of  every 
tiling;."  Ten  or  twidvt!  years  after  \'J><7, 
when  Iviifus  Kin;;  was  American  minister 
in  Fii;;laiiil,  a  conmion  toast  at  I'liiladel- 
rdiia,  the  r.eat  of  the  federal  •:•  :niiieiit, 
like  that  Colonel  llumphries  heai'.  in  Con- 
necticut, half  ,iest,  lialf  earnest,  was  our 
Kiiiij  in  Eiiiiliiml.  The  planting;  and  ap- 
proved portion  of  the  federal  Jiarly  came 
(lilt  ol'  the  ivevoliition,  resoh  'd  on  repuldi- 
can  ;;ovi'riimeiit.  Uut  from  tho  peace  of 
independence  in  Hi's;!,  t"  the  extremely 
ditHciilt  cstaldishm.'iit  of  a  Federiil  lieinih- 
licjiii  Consiitiitioii  ill  17SS,  Fn;;laiid  and 
her  many  loyal  adherents  in  America  wore 
Stroii;;ly  in  hopes  of  .American  return  to  Fn- 
glish  aile;;iaiice.  And  from  17f^;still  Isli2, 
those  ho]ies  never  ceased.  We  shall  Iind, 
ill  this  Volume,  how  they  ;;rew  in  I'lnelarul 
to  royal  credulity,  iii    l.^H,  that  the  Once 


to  Mr.  Allen,  vvhii  h  was  intercepted,  and 
in  possession  of  oni  j.vovernmeiit,  it  iijipear- 
ed  proliaole  to  Mi;iiroe,  vvho  v\as  not  easily 
duped,  tlia*.  a  Count  Stiiaitoii  was  the  sus- 
picions foieii';m  .  of  the  liritish  eonsul'H 
ac(|iiaiiitance.  This  voliiiiw!  will  show,  he- 
fori!  it  closes,  that  in  F  mdoii  as  well  na 
Wasliinn:ton,  there  were  appndiensions  of 
royal  designs  of  an  American  kiii;;doin, 
with  the  l>iike  of  York  on  its  throne.  Ah 
Washin;;tiin,  Franklin,  Adams,  J.dl'erson, 
and  other  eoiiteiiijioraries  (d'  the  revolution, 
not  to  mention  .Madison  and  Monroe,  wero 
familiar  with  the  facts  that  America  wa.s 
full  of  Fn^lish  adherents  then,  so  all  capa- 
Ido  (d'  kno\vlei|;;e,  when  the  war  (d'  ]t<12 
h(';;an,  and  hefore  it,  knew  that  l!ire;e  nuni- 
hers  (d'  the  edneated,  especially  the  com- 
mercial, professional  and  clerical  of  the 
Atlantic  towns,  were  unreserved  in  oxiire^- 
sion  of  their  conviction,  that  the  experi- 
ment of  American  repuMicanism  must 
fail,  and  that  the  restoration  of  IJritish  go- 
vernment vya.s_  inevitalilo  in  the  Fnited 
States.  It  is  time  to  render  justice  to  tho 
Tories  of  the  licvolution,  criisried  and  cur,so(l 
iiniler  its  suecossful  termination:  hut  num- 
lierini;  anion;;  their  non-conihatant,  merely 
jiiissive,  and  often  conscientious  men  retired 
ri.i..,i  ,i,,.,ii;,.t  ii...i    •   •!•  . 


•  .  ■   v •"  ..11, 1,  ..I    ..  11,  .11. It  ,iiu  vin:i-    iMi.sniic, , lllll  oiicii  coiiscieniious  men  retired 

IJishop  (d"  Osnaliiir^',  Duki'  id'  York,  iiii;;lit  j  from  coiillict,  many  oxcelleiit  civiliiins,  and 
he  created  Kin,!;  of  \e\v  Fn;;laiid  or  iNortli    amonp;  their  li;ilitiiiy;  men  some  of  the  most 


America,  as  the  Swiss  informer  told  M.. 
Monroe,  was-  the  lon;;-c(intiniu'd  scdiome  of 
a  Boston  Secret  Soci(!ty;  now,  fortimatelv, 
scarce  to  he  credited,  hut  imco  too  certain. 
It  is  common  American  error  and  fond 
assurance,  that  the  American  ]{evolution 
vas  a  unanimous  and  concerted  result  of 
national  resist. nice  jirocl.aimed  hy  the  De- 
claration of  Jndepeiulenco.  Let  those  vvho 
think  so,  read  Mr.  Lorenzo  Sabine's  "  Lives 


intrepid  soldiers  of  that  strug;;le,  several 
of  tlu!_  former  of  -whom  were  emploved  hy 
AViishin,<;ton  and  other  eminent  Americans, 
to  administer  the  repuldic. 

The  following;  is  an  early  one  of  that 
extraordinary  informer's  remarkable  let- 
ters. "As  soon  as  Mr.  Allen's  return  was 
known  in  IJoston,  several  federalists  camo 
hero  to  converse  with  him,  and  ho  went 
there  in  live  days  after  his  arrival.     From 


48 


SWISS  INFORMER'S  LETTERS. 


[1813. 


a  ('(invorsalion,  T  loanioil  (lint  an  AiiuM'lciiii  tliut  lio  lias  Ixtii  ronnootod  witli  oortain 
(l('|mty  accoinpaiiii'il  liiin  U>  tlio  IJritisli.  ;  foiitractors  (if  tlic  Hritisli  in  tliis  Cduntry, 
His  (ilijcct  was  sai<l  in  lie  to  iiirunu  tlioin  j  wlio  liavo  i'liniislicd  jn-ovisions  to  tlioir 
"f'tlu'  stato  (if  [lai'tics  iti  tlic  Stahis,  and  to  ;  (•nlonii's.  His  Itiinks  arc  (i]ioii  t(i  insjioctimi 
iidviso  th(!  lipst  means  to  (•(intlnue  tlie  war  '  of  all  Ills  ercMlitors.  and  may  he  seen  by 
so  as  to  enalile  IIk^  I5ritisli  jiovernnu'iit  to  !  some  trusty  airent  el' ttie  Ami'riean  i^overn- 
dictate  a  peace  wliicli  will  ]ii;ice  the  next  inent.  The  lil'ty  lirens(>s  inentioiied  in  my 
]iresi(l(.iuy  in  tli(>  hands  of  a  jierson  in  his;  last  were  cliielly  for  Halifax  and  I5(.'rmn(la. 
interest,  thoii;;li  of  the  l>emoeratic  Jiarty.  If  no  eartid  sails  soon,  Mr.  Alk'n  writes 
To  effect  tiiis  ^reat  ho|ie  is  Indd  out  from  that  he  will  return  to  New  .Jersey  and  ro- 
il division  ani.inj;  tln^  Southern  as  widl  as  j  main  there  until  May.  Jlis  rocc']ition  at 
the  New  York  (hde^ates.  On  the  other  IJoslon  has  not  hetMi  su(di  as  he  exjKMited 
hand,  1  heard  that  the  IJritish  jiovernment  •  from  the  <];ratitude  of  the  federalists,  and 
vas  otfended  with   lioston   federalists   for  ,  he  will  leave  it  soon." 

fictinji  so  weakly  after  talking  so  loudly,'  On  the  oOth  Deeeniher,  181.3,  tln^  in- 
and  that  the  Idockade  would  be  extended  i  fornu'r  wrote  to  Mr.  ^lonroe,  "What  I 
to  the  Eastern  jiorts  next  sjirinjx.  if  certain  heard  from  Mr.  Allen  and  what  I  know 
measures  to  omliarrass  the  AnuM'iean  <ro- ;  from  another  source,  made  me,  (jierhaiis 
vernment  were  not  resorted  to  liy  the  feile- ;  err(jneously)  alarmed  for  a  continuane(>  of 
ralists  duriufj  the  winter.  It  was  also  said  i  the  uni(.in  and  tran((uiHity  of  the  I'nited 
that  an  uninterru])ted  eorr.'spondenee  is  j  States.  By  jierforminjf  what  I  jiromised 
carried  on  between  the  disafi'ected  here  ,  yiai,  1  betray  no  confidence,  as  any  other 
and  their  ]irincijiiils  in  the  IJritish  }i;overn- 1  of  his  mere  visitors,  or  even  his  servants, 
luent.  Let ter-ba^s  for  Spain  and  the  Bri- j  if,  like  niysidf,  anxious  for  the  ha)i])iness 
tish  government  are  found  in  the  excdianjre  j  of  the  I'nited  States,  may  have  done!  the 
(•off((e-houses  of  all  open  ]iorts,  thouj^h  '  same.  The  visit  with  which  Mr.  (Jraham 
(.'adiz  ami  Lis1)on  an*  as  much  British  i  has  honored  me,  occasions  these  prelimi- 
jiorts  as  Loi\(Ion  and  Liverpool.  Could  not  |  nary  trespasses  on  your  tinn>.  lie  said 
the  American  n;ovcrnm(>nt  cause  a  law  to  !  that  the  ^jovernnient  miy:ht  jiive  me  a  flag 
be  passed  iirohiliiting  ship  hitters  and  all  |  for  a  cartel."  Another  letter,  dated  Feb- 
other  'etters  to  pass  liy  any  other  chaniuds  I  I'uary  lltli,  1S14,  says,  "a  letter  from  the 
than  the  regular  ])ost-office  ?  Such  a  law  ■  British  government  to  Mr.  Allen  has  been 
would  at  ad  times  add  to  the  revenue  of .  received  by  way  of  Halifax.  It  is  dated 
the  rnit(Hl  States,  and  in  time  of  war  in- 1  Octolier  .'Jdth.  and  orders  him  to  renniin  in 
crease  the  means  of  the  American  govern- j  the  I'nited  States,  to  continue  his  usual 
mentto  discover  tiie  plots  of  its  ('iiemies.  In  s(n'vices,  and  to  draw  for  his  usual  salary, 
all  states  of  Europe  such  a  law  exists.  In  j  He  arrived  in  England  DcH-emlier  24th. 
England  the  writer  or  carrlcu*  of  every  letter  I  We  have  had  the  expected  visit  from  Bos- 
fouml  on  board  a  ship,  oi"  even  in  stages,  ton,  Avhere  they  continue  to  jirati-  boldly, 
Avithont  any  )iost-oflice  mark,  is  fined  ,£.'>."  |  to  menace  cowardly  and  to  act  foolishly." 
"  A  small  jiart  of  the  enormous  salary  of  j  Another  letti'r,  dated  March  Ilth,  IMd, 
the  marshal  might  be  employed  to  gain  i  communicates  to  Mr.  Monroe,  that  "bills 
some  well-con(lucted  and  W(dl-informed  fe- ;  of  the  British  goverinnent  to  the  amount  of 
deralist,  more  jiatriot  than  partisan,  to  dis-    a  million  of  dollars  have  within  two  months 


cover  the  macliiiiations  of  his  jiarty,  espe 
cially  at  Boston,  their  head-(|uarters.  It 
•was  by  s(decting  royalists  and  Jacobites, 
of  ('(lucation  and  talent,  that  Bonajiarte 
Huceeeded  ti.i  criish  the  most  inimical  fac- 


becjn  purchased  for  gold  at  a  discount  of 
twenty  i)er  cent,  at  (^uebee  and  Halifax, 
and  sold  again  at  Boston  and  other  towns 
with  a  profit  of  ttin  or  twelve  per  cent. 
They  are  bought  up  with  avidity,  as  they 


tions,    those    that     ])i'ineipally    conspired  i  pass  current  in   the  English,  Spanish  and 
against  his  person  and  go\'ernment.  j  Sweilish  colonies,  and  pay  for  tli(>  colonial 

"A  naturalized  Englishman,  Mr. ,' produce  carrie(l  here  in   neutral  or  rather 

tif  I'hiladelphia,  (naming  one  wcdl  known 
to  mn,  very  familiar  in  the  most  fasiiiona- 
lilo  circles  there,  whoso  name  I  suppress,) 
has  lat(dy  liecomo  u  bankru[it.  In  his 
statement  air.l  books  ]n>  acknowledges  to 
have  gained  upwards  of  SIO.OOO  by  the 
pale  (d"  eighty  licenses  received  from  Mr. 
AUon.  (The  latter  told  me  he  had  given 
the  former  one  hundred  and  fifty  instead 
of  eighty.)  As  this  bankrupt  is  supposed 
not  to  be  over  didicate,  could  not  the  Ame- 
rican gov(  rnment,  by  his  means,  discover 
the  violations  of  the  laws  and  the  traitors 
to  the  Fnitecl  Statics?  From  an  authority 
I  caunut  luoution,  I  have  also  been  told 


ncutmliztd  bottoms.  Secret  but  regular 
conunercial  inessengers  carry  by  land  both 
to  Halifax  and  Canada  the  gold,  and  bring 
back  the  bills.  Last  Saturday  five  Ameri- 
can gentlemen  left  Boston  for  Halifax  by 
way  (if  I'enobscot.  Thoy  i)itend  to  go  to 
England  with  the  first  Halifax  pa(d<et. 
One  of  them  has  with  him  despatches  for 
Mr.  Allen  fron»  the  united  fed(!ral  and 
democratic^  jilotters  for  the  next  ])residency. 
Twenty  of  IJritish  government  licenses  for 
American  firirafvcrs  have  been  ubtaine(l 
from  Halifax,  and  partly  disposed  of.  Two 
of  these  licensed  privateers,  report  lai/x, 
have   already  sailed  with  cartridge  boxes 


M 


[1813. 

villi  oortain 
lis  coiiiitry, 
lis  to  tlii'ir 
(I  iiisiioctiiin 
lii>  soi'ii  l)y 
i-iiii  Ljiivorii- 
iiiiicil  ill  my 
ul  IJoriiuida. 
MK'ii  writes 
rscy  iiiid  ro- 
rofi'iition   at 

It'    OXlPL't'tcd 

enillsts,  and 

Sm,  the  in- 
>,  '-What  I 
hat  I  kiHiw 
\w  (pcrliajjs 
iitiiHiauco  of 

tiu!  I'nitcd 
I  ])r()iiiis('d 
as  any  otlier 
liis  siM'vauts, 
11!  lia|iiiin('.ss 
ivo  (l(in(!  the 
Mr.  (iraliara 
1080  prolinii- 
10.  llo  said 
;iv('  1110  a  flaji; 
V,  dated  I'oli- 
tor  from  tlio 
Ion  lia.s  lioon 

It  is  dated 
to  remain  in 
uo  liis   7isiiid 
usual  salary, 
coiiilior   24tli. 
isit  IVoiii  1>(is- 
jirato   li(d(ilv, 
let  fnolishlv!" 
Ii   lltli,   \^\\, 
e,  that   "liills 
tlio  aimmnt  of 
in  two  months 
a  discount  of 
ami  Halifax, 
1  other  towns 
dve    jKH'  cent, 
idity,  as  they 
,  v^jiaiiish  and 
ir  tiu>  oolonial 
itral  or  rather 
t  but    rep;nlar 
,'  hy  land  lioth 
idd,  aiul  hrin;;; 
ay  live  Anieri- 
or  Halifax  hy 
toTid  to  fro  to 
ilifax    ])aekot. 
los|)atelios  for 
I    feihsral    and 
'xt  presidoney. 
nt  rn'onsos  i'or 
lieon   ohtained 
|)osod  of.    Two 
s,  report  KUi/f, 
iirti'idge  boxes 


Chap.  IT.] 


SWISS  INFORMER. 

— ♦- 


40 


full  of  douliloonp,  and  with  pdd  or  silvor 
liuUioii  molted  in  the  form  of  bnllots.  Tiiis 
cash  is  destined  to  pay  for  JJritish  dry 
rroods,  which  will  bo  landed  in  tho  United 
^States  as  British  jirizo  jioods.     Such  is  tho 


American  citizens  and  British  agents  for 
illicit  traxh;  was  freciuont  and  iiniorious. 
INditical  connection  bi'tween  State  au- 
thority, or  indiviihials  with  British  a^^oiits, 
disjirovod  by  all  that  over  camo  to  li^rht, 


report.  In  a  letter  dated  .March  2',HIi,  ISU,  ;  was  novortholi^ss  averred  by  mon  of  tli-; 
ho  wrote,  '•  Not  boin;r  ^'i^'"'!''^'!  ^^"'t''  any  re-  liii^hest  creiiibility.  rendered  jirobable  liy 
idv  to  my  sevcrallettors,  1  suppose  it  is  not  '  numberless  individual  indiscretions,  impro- 
co"nv(>iiieiit  for  jrovorumeiit  to  j;rant  mo  tho  I  jirioties  of  the  public  ]ii'oss,  and  State  o-c- 
promisoil  passajro  in  some  cartoHbr  Sweden  ,  vernmont  violalinns  of  tiie  Coiistilutioii 
or  Hn^rland.'     A  fnial  letter  of  dune  Uith.    more  than  omcifrli  to  justify  the  federal  K>;- 


1S14,  states,  "WIkmi  you,  sir,  rocoivc  this 
letter,  I  am  on  my  way  to  Muropo." 

AVhether  that  Swiss,  .as  subso(piont  trans- 
actions iiidicato<l,  was  one  of  tho  oxtraortli- 
iiary  and  ex<(uisito  iinjiostors  with  whom 
society  is  infested,  contriviiif!;  moans  of  livo- 
]ilioo(i,  (U",  as  several  eir<'iiinstances  cause 


ocutive  in  a.ny  otlbrc  to  doteet  and  counter- 
act such  danj;orous  misconduct. 

'{"ho  Swiss  informer,  liosidos  private  per- 
sonal and  American  disclosures,  in  a  loiter 
dated  from  his  Massa(diusetts  retreat,  Keb- 
ruary  11th,  1)^]4,  sent  cojiios  of  several  lot- 
tors  to  him  from  allc;;eil  ciu'rospundonts  (^f 


to  1)0  boliovod,  an  ambidexter  af!;ent  cd'.  rank  and  superior  means  of  knowl(Ml<j;o  in 
tho  British  fj;ovornmont,  by  partial,  and  as  I'aris,  London,  Trankfort,  Stockholiu  and 
ho  supposed,  important  liotrayals  of  their  !  I'ra;^uo,  id'  which  tho  fidhiwing  extracts 
coiifidiMico,  striving  to  soduco  ours  to  tho  !  concoruin<i;  ^Vniorica  (ox(dusivo  of  Jhiro- 
imich  irreator  whiidi  ho  was  to  worm  out  J  poan  details)  conveyed  iiit(dIi<^onco  then 
of  it,  ho  overreached  himself.  jVo  letter,  novtd  ami  important.  "Tho  annexed  lot- 
wi'itton  communication  or  other  assurance  |  tors,"' said  liis  to  Mr.  Jlonroe,  "arofroiu 
from  .Mr.  .Alonroo,  oncouraj;'e(l  him  beyond  ;  persons  of  education  and  rank  in  Kuroj'O. 
a  promise  to  have  Count  Stuarton's  title  ])a- 1  If  their  perusal  can  for  a  moment  divert 
pors  seandiod  for,  and  perhaps  to  {five  his  1  the  enli,ii;htoiied  minds  of  tho  President 
roiil  or  ]>retondod  af^ont  {lassai^'o  in  a  cartel '  and  yourself,  my  wishes  are  accomplishod. 
to  ICuropo,  which  (loos  not  ajipear  to  have  |  AVitli  some  truth  they  contain  many  sup- 
boon  done;  ami  no  ]iecuniary  return  what- i  positions.     Tlcy  show,  however,  that  tho 


ever  Avas  made  or  proniis(Ml  for  his  advices. 
In  the  summer  of  iHlA,  he  left  the  Aillajio 
of  AS'ort'ostor,  M'itli    his   wife,  for  Boston, 
where  the   most  liberal   and  olofjant  enter- ; 
taiuiiiont  welcomed  their  sojourn  and  on- J 


Knglish  jiolitics  are  far  from  being  setth'd, 
that  Franco  is  far  from  being  cruslieil,  and 
that  Kngland  is  far  from  being  tho  dictator 
(d'  lMirop(>." 

(.)no,  said   to  bo  from   Baron    do  Bollo, 


riclieil  his  mu(di,rogretteil  dopiirturo.  A  |  date<l  London,  August  2.jth.  1  Si. '1,  together 
genttoman  of  Mr.  Allen's  intiniac-y  allowed  i  with  important  Huropoan  intidligoiico,  con- 
him  Olio  of  his  Hue  houses  for  tenijiorary  ;  taiiiod  in  a  letter  from  Brince  do  L.,  dated 
rosidoi)C(>  in  Boston,  loaded  him  with  other 
substantial  kindnesses,  and  insisted  on  send- 
ing by  him  a  large  sum  in  gold,  which  tho 
Swiss  expressed  great  rcductanco  to  take, 
to   a    coiumorcial    correspondent   in     Ijoii- 


l'ragn(<,  12tli  August,  l:il:'.,  stated,  that 
"  Kngland  was  to  assent  to  the  discussion 
(d'  her  maritimo  pretensions  at  a  general 
Congress  of  Boprosoiitativos  from  all  tho 
inaritimt!    States   to   moot    at   tho   Haji'iie 


don,  to  whom  it  n(,'V(>r  was  delivered,  and  I  within  twelve  months  after  a  general  pa<i 


whore,  on  inquiry  Iiy  a  special  agent  sent 
after  the  beari^r,  all  that  could  bo  learned 
was  vague  stories  that  ho  Avas  fioimnvhoro 


tication  in  Kuroito.  In  tho  moan  lime,  a 
suspension  of  arms  was  to  bo  agreed  ou 
between  Kngland  and  the   United  States, 


on  the  continent  of  J'lurope,  in   tho    eon- '  under   tho    nuMliation  of  tho   Kmporors  of 

ilussia  and  Franco.  ]$y  tho  above,  you 
will  iind  that  British  pretensions  art?  not 
miudi  favored  by  her  allies,  who  dread  tho 
turbulent  ambition  of  (Jreat  Britain,  nearly 
as  much  as  the  encroa(diiiig  spirit  of  l^-anco. 
Indeed,  tho  British  ministers  have  roioicod 


iid(>ntial  om[)loymeiit  of  tho  Knglish  govern 
iiient. 

Perhaiis  the  American  government,  like 
the  Massachusetts  associates  of  tho  British 
consul,  were  deceivo<l  by  a  cayitivating  ad- 
vontui'or.  ti>  w  host;  impositions  in  America 


the    eonsurs   intimacy  with   him    and  the  j  as  much  at  tho  rujiture  of  tin;  negotiations 


British  government's  repeated  clandestine 
attemjits  at  American  disunion,  gave;  idia- 
racter  and  credibility.  But  for  thoin  Mr. 
Monroe  would  hardly  have  been,  if  he  was, 
iinjiosed  0)11:11.  Xor  call  th(>  State  authori- 
ties, or  good  people  of  .Massaiduisotts,  (diarg(> 
the  federal   government   with   iirociiiitate. 


at  Prague  as  at  the  news  of  AVidlington's 
victories  in  Spain."  A  Paris  loiter  of  Do- 
ceinbor  4th,  ISb],  with  much  Kuroiioan 
detail  not  pertinent  to  my  narrative,  con- 
taiiuMl  this  sontonco — "Austria,  J'riissia, 
and  Sweden,  do  not  iinudi  object  to  Napo- 
leon's plan,  but  I'Inglaiid  gi\es  a  counter 


unfounded  or  ungenerous  suspicion  when  project,  having  for  (diject  to  jdace  not  only 
it  ordered  a  secret  intpiisitioii,  on  the  in- 1  I'hirope  and  Asia,  but  America  and  Africa 
I'ormation  of  such  a  witness,  to  tost  their!  ujioii  the  footing  they  were  at  the  |M>aco  of 
loyalty.      Unlawful     connection    botwoon  |  ITGu."    Another,  dated  London,  December 


M 


50 


FOSTER 


AND  BAKER. 

— * — 


[1813. 


IStli,  ISin.  montioiK-.l,  "An  nitiu-k  at  sonic! 
p;irt  (il'tlie  I'liiti'd  Slutcs,  and  (in  an  cxlcn- 
sivn  8t'.al(>,  is  spokiMi  nl'  in  tlic  naval  ami 
military  circles.  IJnt  tliiiu;;li  I  have  lieanl 
III '  naniow  iif  tlso  connuanilers,  and  (-f  the 
ships,  &('.,  I  have  nut  licen  aide  to  learn 
what  tro(i[is  can  lie  s]iared  lor  sucli  an  at- 
tOMiiit,  at  a  jieriod  v>hen  Sjiain,  Holland, 
and  derniany,  deniiind  ;;reat,  and  almost 
(lailv  reinforcements  from  l]n,ii;land."  A 
letter  of  March  -J'.itli,  1^14,  encloses  a  cojiy 
of  another,  dated  I'aris,  l-'elirnarv  4th,  if>l4, 
as  follows:  "  1  have  jnst  heard  from  a  cre- 
ditable sourc(>,  that  the  resturation  of  the 
four  Inmilred  and  fifty  tlionsand  I'rench 
jirisoners,  in  the  jiower  of  tlie  allies,  forms  ii 
princijial  olistacle  to  a  j^eneral  paiddcation, 
as  ^vith  those  troops  umler  his  command, 
Xapoloon  mij!;ht  soon  again  lie  the  dictator 
of  Europe,  (several  plans  ior  disposing  of 
these  unfortunate  men  have  Ijoen  sug;:;osted, 
one  of  which  is  said  to  lie  a  colonization,  or 
an  employment  of  a  gresiter  part  of  them, 
to  restore  order  in  St.  ])ominj;o,  and  in  the 
iSjianish  colonies,  and  to  force  the  people 
111'  tlie  I'niti^d  States  to  chan^'c  their  re- 
pulilican  constitution  into  a  monandiical 
one,  the  existence  of  an  Annn-ican  i!(>pMh- 
lio  beinp;  jud;j;e(l  incompatilile  with  the 
safety  of  the  European  monarchies.  You 
may  easily  sup]iose  from  what  ijuarter  this 
last  proposal,  also  reportctl  to  have  been 
devised  jiy  the  same  ]ilen!piiteiitiarii,'s  to 
jircscrilte,  at  a  general  jieace  in  Jliirope,  tlie 
terms  for  a  peace  between  Kngland  and  the 
United  States,  which,  if  not  accepted  by 
the  latter,  an  excuse  will  bo  offered  for  the 
landing  and  settling  in  merica  <if  the 
European  royalist  veterans,  and  with  their 
aid  to  destroy  the  last  free  Reiiublic  on 
earth.  P(>pend  upon  it.  some  discussion 
lo  tills  effect  has  taken  place  at  Cli;itil!on 
on  the  Seine,  though  nothing  certain  has 
yet  been  determineil  upon." 

Nefarious  as  C'ockburn  characterized  Al- 
len's transactions,  to  increase  IJridsh  plun- 
der by  temiiting  American  cupidity  to  share 
in  unworthy  gain,  tlie  tiling  became  ridicu- 
lous by  the  misli:i]i  of  Foster,  tlie  iiritish 
minister  at  AVashington,  and  liaker,  the 
consul-general  tliere.  Augustus  Fosttn", 
who  came  to  the  United  States  as  a  secre- 
tary to  Merrj',  the  minister,  afterwards 
secretary  of  legation,  ai.J.,  lieing  in  some 
way  connected  with  the  ducal  family  of 
Devonshire,  rose  to  lie  minister  pl(>ni])o- 
tontiary,  was  smdi  when  war  was  detdared, 
to  his  confusion,  having,  by  all  his  de- 
spatidies,  assured  his  government  that  ours 
would  tnn'er  venture  it.  Mortiiied  by  that 
egregious  mistake,  ami  disgraced  by  low 
libertinism,  he  returned  to  Enghiml,  scat- 
tering, as  Parthian  ai-rows,  one  hundreil 
and  eighty  licenses  from  Halifax  on  his 
way  home;  rejiaying,  like  many  other  ill- 
bred  Knglisli,  llalteries,  and  excessive  ut- 
toutious  from  English  idulater^  in  America, 


liy  jiublishing   vulgir  viHiicatlons   of  the 
I'niteil  States,  jirecedeil  by  calumny  against 
them  in  Parliament.    ^Vnniher  movtiiication 
in  which  he  was  associated  with  liaker,  th(> 
consul-gen(n'al.  contributed  to  Foster's  cha- 
grin, and  ]ire<'ipitated   ijak(n''s  departure, 
when  detected    and    ludicrously   punished 
for  the  clandestine  distribution  ol'lici  uses, 
even    from   A\'ashiiigton.       'J'lie    minister, 
Foster,  complaining  of  the  postage  he  had 
to  pay,  was  in  the  habit,  through  the  con- 
sul-general Raker's  personal    intervention 
I  with  the  olKcers  of  the  post-oflice,  of  reject- 
j  ing'  many  of  his  letters,  if,  on  ojiening  thorn 
:  at  the  olfico,  they  were  found  to  contain  no- 
thing deemed  worth  taking  away.     In  that 
method  of  parsimony,  the  post-ollici;  (derks 
j  were,  at  length,  allowed  to  opmi  the  letters 
'  themselves,  without  Mr.  ]>aker's  presence, 
'  antl  withhold   such  as  were  oliviously  un- 
I  important.     Aliout  the  time  of  th(>  declara- 
tion of  war,  1'-,  tliat  permission,  they  o]ien- 
ed   seve'';;I,   containing   licenses    to   trade, 
'  and  secret  information,  suidi  as  tin'  Rritisii 
]  minister  and  consul-general  were   author- 
ized   to    r(!ceive,   but  extreimdy  averse  to 
liiid  pulilished.    The  post-oilice  iininediately 
connuunicating  these  detected  niisdcmcan- 
I  (irs    to    the    Executive,    they   were    gime- 
I  ronsly   sent,   without    comment,    t(3    their 
I  addrc'ss,  which  caused  Mr.  1?ak(>r's  speeily 
'.  departure,    not  to   appear  in  '\\'ashington 
again  till  he  returned  bearer  of  the  treaty 
of   peace  ;    leaving   31r.    Foster    eager   to 
i  jiay  the   postage   of  those   and    all   other 
'  letters    to    his    address.     The   ministry   in 
I  London,    the    envoy   at   AVashington,   the 
,'  consul-general   there,   the  consul   at   Ijos- 
[  toll,  the  admiral  ;it  Halifax,  the  navy,  co- 
'  lonial  C(i;;i'ts  of  admiralty,  mcrtdiants  and 
i  other   agents,  English    and   American,  as 
I  soon    as    war   rendered    them    illegal   and 
unworthy,  were   involved  in    those   mean- 
nesses of  ill-got  gain,  which  it  took  nion; 
than  a  yoav  of  American  resistance,  by 
judicature  i'.iid  acts  of  Congress,  to  extir- 
pate.     The  conlidential  intimate  of  some 
of  them    in   ]Massachu-ci.ts,  on  the  4th  of 
November,    JSl,'!,    Avrote    to  ^Mr.    Monroe: 
"  \  [lerson  just   tohl  me  that  lil'ty  new  li- 
(•enses  lia\e  arrived  from   Halifax   in  the 
same   vessel  that  brought  Allen'.s   letter.;. 

Tho are  pi  enaring  a  vessel  for  Canton, 

and  offers  of  Sii(),i"i()  have  been  made  by 
others  for  licenses  to  protect  u  voyage  to 
Calcutta.  From  wiiat  I  learii  the  war  is 
much  more  popular  in  Boston.  'J'he  lato 
j  successes  of  the  American  arms,  and  tho 
I  hope!  of  profit  from  speculations  in  tho 
nmniifacturing  line,  have  allured  thu'  pub- 
lic opinion  for  the  better." 

Actuated  by  such  transactions,  and  urged 
by  the  war  party  of  New  England,  a  mi- 
nority always  vigorous  and  ardent  in  it.s 
support,  insisting  hat  as  long  as  any  trado 
or  sliip|iing  at  all  was  permitted  in  their 
waters,  war   wvuld   bo   dercuted,    tlio   ud- 


[1813. 

ms  of  tli'.^ 
ii_v;i;;-;iiii^t 
ivliiii-ilidU 
lliikcr,  tli(^ 
i^ii'i'V  elui- 
(lc]Mltlll'0, 

jiiinislied 

il'  licenses, 

iiiiiiister, 

ij;-e  lie  liiul 

;li  tl;e  eiin- 

itei'veiitinn 

',  of  rejcet- 

iiiiii;;  them 

(.'oiitiiin  no- 

,-.     In  tluit 

tlice  (clerks 

the  letters 

<  ])i'eseiiee, 

vioiisly  uu- 

le  (leclara- 

tliey  o}ien- 

■i    to    tniilo, 

tlie  lli-itish 

?i'e  aiithor- 

'  iiverse  to 

innediately 

nisdeiiiean- 

vero    genn- 

t,    to    tlieh- 

er's  siu't'dy 

\'itshiii,i;ti)U 

tlie  treaty 

oai;i}r  to 

I    all'  otluH- 

iiiii'.lstry   in 

in;:;tiin,    the 

-111   at    Ijos- 

le  navy,  eo- 

•eluints  and 

iiierieaii,  as 

illej^al    and 

hot<e   iiii':\n- 

:  took  nioro 

iistan(.'e,   hy 

ss,  Xi)  extir- 

ito  ol'  some 

the    1th  of 

r.    Monroe: 

iifty  new  li- 

il'ax  in  tho 

Mi's   letter.!. 

for  Canton, 

jii  made  liy 

I  V(iya;;'e  to 

the  war  is 

.     Tiio  lato 

IIS,  and  tho 

ons   in   tho 

jd  the  puh- 

-,  anil  iirj;-ed 
'laiul,  a  ini- 
■dent  ill  ltd 
is  any  trado 
;od  in  their 
jd,    tlio   ad- 


Chap.  II.] 


EMCAllGO. 


51 


ministration  rcsidved  to  fetter  naviji'atii n 
Avilh  restrictiiins,  ajiiiinst  which  a  clamor 
uas  i-ai>ed  liiere  and  rc\erlierate(l  in  Con- 
gress much  louder  than  the  ajipeal  for  the 
imjjosiiioii.  I!riu;h  ministers,  ailmirals, 
(.'onsuls,  and  their  American  instruments, 
annulled  and  ema.^ciilated  -war  for  more 
than  a  year  after  its  declaration,  )jy  traliie 
as  eifei-tiial  and  jiernicious  as  if  dnly  stijm- 
lateil  with  the  enemy ;  and  the  President, 
v.itli  his  original  ]irererene(;  fm-  jiassivo 
i.ithei-  than  active  hci'liliiics,  reni'V.ed  exe- 
fUlive  inv(jcatii)ii  for  an  act  of  Congo's:)  lo 
aiil  the  war  hy  eml)ai;io,  of  ijiiestionaole 
conslitiilionality,  if  inilclinite,  iin(|Ui'stiona- 
lily  se\ero  in  oijcration,  ami  fiirtlior  fuel 
for  tho  already  hi>ated  furnaces  of  uisaffec- 
tioii.  Snnii  after  his  {^jcueral  messa;;;e, 
therefore,  tho  President,  ou  t!ie  '.'Hh  (;f  Pc- 
cemlier,  IS  13,  hy  sjiecial  eommuniealioii 
confulentially  lepeaied  his  r(;;e<:ted  call  for 
an  omltarj^o;  to  ])veveiit,  it  said,  alju^es  of 
our  commercial  and  mn  i^'ation  laws,  ])\ 
wliioh  sujUilies  i'ound  their  way  not  only  to 
l>riti.-li  )iorts  and  I'-riti-h  armies  at  a  dis- 
tance, liut  in  our  own  neii',-lil)orliood,  and 
to  Prilish  tro(>ps  infestinj;  our  coasts  and 
waters,  eneouratied  in  their  ]ireilat'.;ry  and 
iiiciuv;\e  warfare,  al>o  lYaudideiit  imtiorta- 
tions  in  I'ritish  vessels  disi;'uised  as  neu- 
tral.-, and  colliisl\o  ransoms  of  jiretended 
prizes.  Several  secret  conclaves,  tlsercfoiM.', 
Ijejiaii  ilu'  winter  session,  (irsi  in  tho  House 
of  lieiiresent;itives,  and  when  v.o  passod 
tlie  hill,  then  iu  Senati'  with  closed  doors, 
UA\n'^  tiUtho  ;ilst  of  Pecemhor,  1810, 
when  the  injiinetion  of  si-crecy  was  re- 
moved, and  a  very  sirini;'ent  act  jiiili- 
lished:  not,  however,  till  ono  of  the  Ijo- 
tr;;yals  of  siien.'c}',  so  eomnion  from  the 
Senate,  made  known  tho  jirovisions  of  it  at 
IJoston,  whoro  its  eli'ect  was  intended  to  ho 
most  ielt.  Mr.  Calhoun,  idmirman  of  tho 
Coiumilteo  on  Foreign  AllUirs,  thon,^;!i  ho 
V(jtod  for,  did  not  aiipruve  nor  advocate  the 
measure,  lor  which  Pelix  Crumly  olIici;iteil 
as  leader  in  tlie  House.  Commereia!,  laist- 
orn,  and  party  opposition,  assailed  it  in  all 
its  st:'.,^;es,  in  ]irinciplo  and  details,  hy  nu- 
merous motions  made  by  Mr.  (iastoii'  ]Mr. 
Pilkin,  IMr.  Stockton.  ^Mr.  Hanson,  3Ir. 
(irosvoiior,  and  Mr.  Uakley.  much  of  tho 
force  and  talent,  therefore.'of  the  Federal 
minority,  with  whom  the  woij^iit  (d'  argu- 
ment jo'eiionderateil.  l!ui  that  of  party 
carried  it  through  tho  House  hy  eighty-iive 
ayes  to  iifty-.sevon  nays,  Mr.  Lowndes  and 
a  few  nioro  of  our  luirty  voting  against  it. 
"  Tho  duty  of  tho  friends  cd'  the  Kmbargo," 
said  the  National  liittdligencer,  '•  wa.s  to 
act,  not  sjieiik:"  wherefore  the  debate  was 
principally  conlined  to  opposition.  Put  it 
sliould  not  ho  supposed  that  in  the  sirret 
fsussion.  faction  o\eraweil  [lairiolisni. 

It  was  apprehonded  that  the  votes  of  Mr. 
riiles,  .Mr.  iStono,  and  Mr.  Anderson  would 
defeat  the  embargo  iu  .Souate :  Mr.  King 


and  Mr.  Giao,  who  did  not  reaeli  Vrasiib.g- 
1  ton  till  that  Ijody  was  in  comdavo  on  ir. 
j  Iniri'ied    to   tho  Cajiitol  wiihouc   going    I,. 
[  their  lodgings  at  Cioorgetov.n.     It  pas.sed 
Iwiihoiit  diliicuity,  and  Avas  much  rfjoiecl 
I  at  Ii_\  tho  iidiiunistration,  as  thi.'  most  vigiir- 
<ius  act  of  the  .Somite,  hoping  that  it  wuuhi 
I  put  an  end  to  fraudulent  trade  under  Swed- 
ish and  Spanisli  Hags,  and  liritish  licen.u  s: 
rodiioo  tho  enemy's  supplii  s  and  p.iundoi-, 
striiiteii  their  afmies  in  Canada  iind  iiavie.. 
on  our  coa;;t,  and  also  their  i'orces  in  Spain  : 
I  deprive  Pngland  (d'our  raw  m.iteriiils,  such 
j  as  cotton  f<ir  their  mannfactures  ;  and  her 
sliijijiing  of  timber  and  tar,  increase  our 
supply  of  unemployed  seamen  for  privateer.-' 
j  as  well  as  jiublic  vessels;  and  i/ur  intornal 
I  tra<{o,  as  tho  external  was   diminisjied,  en- 
j  ctiiirago  American  manufactures,  and  bring 
I  war  to  a  spei>dier  contdusio'ii.     Capitali.si.- 
I  complaining  that  it  deprived  thc'm  of  the 
j  means  of  u.^iiig  their  funds  prolitiibly,  were 
,  iidd  then  to  invest  them  in  manufactiire.^ ; 
j  or,  if  tiny  ]in;ferred  it,  in  pri\ ;iteors.     The 
I  miino   of  embargo,  however,  liad   lo:t   its 
I'riginal  charm  geiieially  ;  and  in  the  Past, 
;  where  its  operation  W"as  most  felt,  ]:ecomo 
'extremely  odious.     Sjieculators,  partisans. 
;  and  the  dish^yal  did  not  suil'er  alone,  tlii.iigh 
i  tho  most  cLimonms.     it  v.'a.^  ])rivatioii,  in 
j  manyresp'.'ctsas  piiinful  asw;ir,  wiihoiit  any 
j  oi  its  excitements  or  aitracti(jns,  and,  as  it 
j  proved,  little  of  its  huAvever  dear  bought  liut 
undeniable  advantages.  It  w;is  resisted  too, 
i  by  not  only  numljors  of  jioiir  and  not  wi  U 
j  iuibrmed  ]iersoiis,  accustomed  to  earn  ilieiv 
:  livelihood  by  small  trailic,  l^nt  in  Congress. 
j  besidics  tho  vi.'hemeiit  o]i[iosition  of  some  of 
the  represent:;tives  of  such  distressed  con- 
i  stitnents,  Pichard  Sttickton,  in  his  speed!. 
i  iu  secret  session,  denying  that  those  were 
I  general  pra.ctices,  fiirthormoro   (piestioncti 
their  illeg.ility.     On  a  small  scab'  euntri- 
biiting  to  the  comfort  of  the  naval  coin- 
:  iiiaudeis  of  the  enemy  ou  the  coast,  perlia])s. 
;  he  sa,id,  they  might  exist,  w  hen  poor  peojih 
would    bo    ontici'd    to    I'urnish    them    with 
jioultry,  vegetal pIos,  and  such  small  ariicle.v 
i.iut  yielding  to  such  temjilation  was  hardly 
unnatural  or  highly  erimfmil  in  tlie  unpro- 
t(Hdod  state  in  which  thosi;  ]io;r  people  are 
i  left.   If  such  things  are  not  furnislied  vi  Inn- 
:  tarily.  they  will  lie  taken  by  force;  and  slniH 
wo  destroy  the'  commerce  (d'the  country  foi 
^■iUcli  a  cause?     ]Mr.  Stockton's  argument,-' 
'  s;ivorod  more  of  courtesy  and  charity  than 
j  law.     In  many  instances  thoi-e  was  proljii- 
i  bly  no  crimimil  intent  to  aid  and  comfort 
1  tlie  enemy ;  but  all  the  courts  of  justice 
:  declared  tlio  law  perfectly  settled,  a.ud  so 
Insertril  on   the  face   of  tlie  Constitution, 
that  none  (d'  \\\:\\  iuterouurso  is  innocent, 
ibut  all  of  it  illegal. 

[      Py  r(?peated,  earnest,  and  deiiunciating 

I  oH'orts,  in  various  motions,  restdutions,  and 

speeches,  Cyras  King  resumed  liis  attack 

'  ou  tho  enib  ir;^.',  which,  as  enacted,  was  the 


ilk 


ii£! 


:!■ 


■it 


li 


*n- 


EMBARGO  REPEALED. 


[1813. 


most  ooriiprclionsivo  and  annoyinn;  rostric-  late  T'ritisli  ron-nl  tlioro,  Imt  tlion  at  J)ov- 
tiiin  I'vcr  fastcuoil  on  coimu'Tcc  :  in  its  i  ninda.  having  (iHi'Vcil  to  jirocuro  inoiioy  fi'oni 
j)]n'ossiiin  (({'tli(>  coastinj;  trade — tin'  lii'st  ]  tlic   I'niti'd  States,  roniu'sts  that,  aj;rocaldy 

iin 
rli'itcviT  mi.iioy  ni;!y  ho 
liv  i)('i':-(ins  Mr.  Stewart 


ami  I 

tillMlt 
(lUS 


xtrcmcst  f'cttn's  ('V(>r  juit  on  that  clc-  i  to   Iiis  arraniri'iiicnt,   yon   ■will    rocolvi 


d 


ilioiid  to  niary  poor,  indiistri- ■  lioard  y( 
do.     On  <iii(>  of   carricil  al 


ri'll-ilisposcd  ]\vn] 


'I' 


1\(>S(>   occasions. 


(i 


ISradhui 


<tatc 


ill 


(inj 


ml  I'lrward  it  to  this  island; 


■iiat  thorp  w.isn'rcat  disircss  where  he  came  ,  if  a  le.rue  snni,  send  a  slmip  of  war  |'nr- 
i'or  food.     'J'hev  d(M"ionded  on  ininoita- ;  iios(dv  with  it :  and  snii'er  the  vess(d  liear 

II  .1  l.'l  .!<  Ill  '  <'|.li.  .1  II  •  1 


ti'ins  tor  llonr.  Avhicli  was  ei";htc 


hdlars    inu;  this  letter,  the   Itosa,  to  reintiin  under 


a    barrel.      Several    otliei*    .M;issa(d'nsetts  '  your  ]n'ot''etion,  if  not  iiermitled  to  ;;'o  in 


iihers  stated  the  jrreat  hardship  suffered    New  I, 


in  tha.t  State,  li\  catehinsi;  coastin;:;  vessels 


P 


.1   hnnie.  iind  ]irev(>iiti 


til 


eir   leavini. 


lelliu'ei' 
to  li'reat   K 


1' 


uropctiii  ciiaiip 


d  of  liltle  avail, 
h 


irt    where  they  did  not  Ixdouii'.      Hnt  all    v;ifii  the  cu]\i(Uerinu'  allies  of  f'.n^rland 


deavors  to  niili;rate  the  severities  of  the    terin 


1-1' 


law  wer(>  overruled.    All  that  was  done  was  [  on  v>dii(di  d  v  the  i' 


I'ltor.' 


liy  an  act  of  tlio  "Joth  -lanuary,  ISIJ,  an-  '  sa.'J!;e,  dc 
thori/.inj;  the  J'resident,  when,  in  his  oidii 
ion,  the  luiMie  in 


;re( 


K 


on '''re; 


<lent, 
to  r( 


;i-t  .March,  isU, 
ly  special  no 


•al 


one  o 


f  his 


avorite    measures,    m   consideration,    was 


teri'st  should  not  for' lid  it.    arii'ue(l   ))v  1 


u-^ 


mc' 


■a,;;-i\ 


)f  the  extensive 


un'oraii 


le    to    liheral  comiimreial 


1  ajiplication,  to  irrant  jiermission  to  any    cliani 

hahitantof  Xantuidcet  to  enijdoy  a  v(>ssel  ,  intercourse,   v.hi(di    had    iircviously    taken 


>v  from  tin'  main  laml  to  tii-it 


tue 
sul 


nrovisiom- 


and  other  m 


Hid, 
d 


ines  oi  ,  imiric 


I" 
nearlv  all  <! 


l.nssia, 


II. 


lud.  Snai 


^v;eilen, 


isistence,  and  to  car 


I'v  I'rom  the  island  to    I'ortu^Ml.  and   tin'  hordeiv 


ti 


Ml 


(llter- 


ho  main  land,  oil,  sponnaceti  candles,  a.nd  :  raneau.   iiermitteil    hy    virtories    over    tho 


hsh,  umli'r  r 


eU'Ulat 


ii< 


ml>a',''i;o 


.\.'t.    Ti 
>['    Ixeiuo 


in-escrilied   hv  the  ;  Fieui  li.    to    oik  n    conimer(dal    interconvse 


lat  imlui'^ence 


as 


the 


e  I  with    the    United    State 


Mitativi 


ilmost   nnani- '  mniist" 


T!cc    Swedish 
aut/.ow,  and   Dan'sh,  Pedersen, 


niou^ 
was  sail 


Iv.  as  it   went  i'roin   the   Senate.      It ' '.vero  at  ^\'ashiii'j:ton.   desirous  of  it:    not 


1  that  a  vessel,  lieloTi 


to  a  mer- :  loni!;  affi 


Dutcl 


lant  o 


joston.  nam' 


d    (i.iddard.  which    arrived   ;it   P»ost, 


1   minister 
itl 


(" 


laii'iuion. 


Ill,  M'lth    simil.ir  \  lews,  m 


as  c;iiiiiht    liy  the   emliariro   at   ilastport.    which    the    S]iaiiish    minister   h 


Oiiis 


d  by  his  orders  :  and  that  pi 


',ve' 


til 


reatened  with  violence  wh 


'fused 


V 


irticiiiated.      The  exi'cutive  n 


eonnnein 


le<l  t. 


a;;; 


ro- 


)  interdict  1 


irtalioii  o 


Id    siiliscnlio    to   reinunera 


te    I 


I'm 


for 


■  s :  so  ai 

A  hill  to  enali 


lirrv  was  the  local  feeliii; 


liolltic 


fdi'emed  iiii]ii-acti<'alile 

hv  other>i.  and   not    attiiniit 


liv  some,  11!'.- 


ili;ir; 


d  masters   (o    ( 'oii^-res-;.)  as  a  nmre  eii 


cctual  satcii'uai' 


fc 


ami 


return   Inan".  report"d  hy  a  cmiimitti'i'  fo    ]irotectioii    for  our  u'rowin^i  manuraciures. 


lUeviale   the   distress 


-•triclion,  was  vo 


teil 


if 
a^'aiii 


M'cial   re-    Mai'ison.  alwa 


^t    1 


IV   many 


if: 


ys    ii  juilicious  aiivoeat(^  of 
rd  their 


ludi  reasonalde  protection   to  p;ua 


those  uKist  \ehement  in  denunciation  of  the  !  infant  -iriuc^'les  au-ainst  the  <j,iij;antie  mono- 


whole  system,  on  the  ]dea  th.at  they  wiaild  ^  poly  ol'dreat  Hritain,  hy  that 


tali 


e   iiotliillji 


than  repeal  of  th 


a  corner 


stolK 


Uid  till  repeale<l,  they  avowed  their  desire  :  tested   iiidii--l 'ial    devido]ii,,ent 


ss!ic;'e  laid 


suli'-e    lent   mucli   con- 


hv   recom- 


to  render  it   as 


ipp 


ressi\e  and  odious  as    mendinn'  that  the  aflditimial  duties  then  in 


po! 


ton 


I. lit  t( 


!)ui 


riiT'  tlie  winter  an 


il 


I  expire 


at  th 


d  of 


U'lns;  o 


f  1^14.    after  the  war,  should  lie  ] 


iroioiiu'ci 


n  year 
1  f  IV  two 

tillLT 


when  the  license  trade  lieL^iu  to  he  sup- 1  years  al'ter  that  event.  A\'ithout  ailo] 
pressed,  British  capitai  and  American  eu-  the  Pre^idiint's  i-eccunmendation,  the  House 
pidity  imposed  another  heavy  iiiijvdiment  of  l!e]ireseiitatives  jiassed  a  resolution, 
in  our  way.  Uritish  jiiovernment  hills  to  a  moved  hy  Mr.  Samuel  l>.  Ingham,  directiuij; 
lar;;e  amount  were  circulated,  iiarticularly  '  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  report  a 
in  IJoston,  and  exchan^i'cd  for  ;:;old.  causiii'i:    tariff  of  dutii-s  at  the  next  ( 'onirress  ;  which 

i  project,  faliiiia; 


some  o 


f  th.-  1} 


ostou  .'an 


ks  t 


II  over 


flow  with 


pri 


d  Seeivtii 


Dalh 


coin,  while  those  of  the  Middle  and  South-    no  further  within  ties  scope  of  my  sketch, 
evil  States  wer(-  drained  .if  it,  preliminarv    than  to  state  that  the  war  whiidi  forced  the 


to  their  suspension,  as  they  called  their  in-    first   important   manufaetiires    into    heir 
solveucv,  in  the  followimj;  Septeiiiher.     A    also    siijieriii  liiced    the    first    contro.ert 


"ipanisli    si 


di( 


Itisa.    hoarded    taviff  on  thei' 


hy  the    Amevicail    ju'ivateev    's  ipev.    hel 


As  wi 


'V 


importation. 

■ad.  ' 


Its  exiceilcie 


•rted 


d  contri- 


artdied.  there  was  f   uid  in   the  Spanish    vances  multiplied.     On  the  '2d   llecemh 


ijitain's  ":ioot  an    oflicial    letter,  dated   at    ]Sl.'!.  fi-oin  on 


ird  the  sliiii  N'aliant,  I! 


Bermuda,  the  17th  Frdiriiary,  isll,  from  hert  Ihidlcy  (llivev,  senior  oflicev  of  (lie 
Admir;  I  Warren  to  Cajitain  Talhot,  or  the  squadron,  hlo(kadiii;j;  |)ecatur's  at  \ev,- 
seniov  officer  of  his  majesty's  shi[)s  off  Xew  l,oiidon,  hy  letter  to  J>on  Thomas  Stouj;h- 
Londor,  informing  him  that  "Mr.  Stewart,  i  ton,  SpaiiKh   consul  at   IS'eAV  York,  gave 


ft 


[1S13. 

n  nt  V>cr- 
moy  from 
iiij;ri'i';ilily 

H-('ivi>     llU 

V  nii'.v  lio 

■.  Stc'wavt 
is  i-;1;in(l ; 
\v;ii'  I'ur- 

liii  iniil(  I' 
ti)  gi)  inti) 

iltlf  nvail, 

'-■.  I'lulin;^ 

irlii'iil  (Mi- 

r.-li,  ISU, 

c'iai  iiics- 

iiiic  (if  liis 

ti.m,    was 

("xtonsivo 

ii'uniM'i'ial 

sly    taken 

Ion,    Di'n- 

ml.  Sjiain, 

:\lo(lir.'r- 

(tW'V    tho 

atorrdurso 

iSw('(lis!i 

I'cdiM'scn, 

if  it:    nnt 

lian'j,Miiin, 

views,  in 

oi'o,    Onis, 

lossa;;;!'  I'C- 

avtation  of 

,■  s(inir>.  iiii- 

•nijiti'il    liy 

'Haiar:!  ami 

uifartnn's. 

iivrcati>    (if 

naril  tlicir 
ntif  ninn.!- 

ssa,i'"  l:ii'l 
liUK'Ii  cm- 
liy  V(M'(iiU- 
ics  tliiMi  in 

of  a  year 
;f'il  f'lv  two 
t  addiitin,^ 

tlic  IIiilliG 

rosiilntiiin, 
1.  (lircctinL^ 
IP  v'lHirt  a 
CHS  ;  wliii'!' 
cct,  ftiliinjx 
my  slvcti-ii, 
I  firco!  tlio 
ntii  'icin;/, 
inti'dvcvtcil 

i'.n.l  c.inlri- 
Itcccnilicr, 
iiliaiit,  I'.i- 
cev  C'f  llio 
's  at  New 
as  St<Mi;;!i- 
i'oi'k,  gave 


Chap.  II.] 


BLUE  LIGHTS. 


53 


liidicvcd,  ho  said,  lliat  t!ic  wliidr  was  mere 
(l(diisi(jn.     CiiiiMccticut,  by  Iut  ti'iii>iis.  iiad 


f(jrinal  noticf  that  tlic  hhickadc,  t!uM-(>t"(iiV(' 

ci.niinod  to  th(!  jKn'ts  and   harhurs  of  tho  .  _     . 

Chcsapoako.  Dolawavo,  Now  York.  Ciiarh-s- 1  iirotoctod  J>ocatnr's  S(iuadniii  till  hit'Iy. 
tun,  I'lirt  Jvoyal,  .Savanniili.  and  tho  rivoi- j  when  tho  rnito(l  States  statinu.'d  tn.dii.- 
Mississipiii.  was  oxtondod,  liy  A(hiiiral  j  tlioro.  wIimso  nn'ans  and  duty  wove  |.lain  Id 
AVarron's  iiviHdao.ii'.tinn  at  lialifii.x,  tho  Uith  |  nrovont  any  .'audi  tvoason.  .)i>nathan  M<iso- 
NoNoniho'.-,  iSi;;,  1(1  all  that  |iai-t  of  I-on.:;' j  iy,  annthor  of  tho  C'onnoeiiont  niomhiM-.s, 
Island  Si'\in(i.  hcing  tho  st-a-onast  lyinjr  |  :'0(  nmlod  his  (•(,ll('a;i-no's  nictiim  ;  and  ridi- 
within  ^lontanjih  ]*(iint,  or  tlio  oaslcrn  jioint  j  cnloil  iho  iniji'itaticn  :  hhn'  lip.hts  niipht  ho 
of  Jjonjj;  Island,  and  tho  puint  ol'  land  niniu-    nsofnl  to  ilhnninato  (diar;j;('s  so  fi'o.juont  in 


tho  I.'onso  uf  15riiish  Tory  attaolunonts,  hiit 
thon;  wovo  no  suid'  lights  or  iittai^dmu  nti  in 
Connoutiont.      Folix   (irnndv   niovod   that 


site  thoroto,  oallod    Blaok   Point,   tog(;llior 

•with  all  tho  (lorts,  harliors,  crooks  and  on- 

tranoos  of  the  Kast  and    North  llivors  of 

Now  York,  as  W(dl  as  all  others  along  tho  j  th(>  resolution  ho  referred  to  iho  naval  coni- 

coast  of   I.ong   Islainl   and   State  id'  Now  |  niitloo.     .Jonathan  l''iskoliicoto(l  to  tho  jiro- 

York :    which    extension   of  Mookado 

jiroolalniod    to   ho    in  cons(Minoneo  <A 


Anu'rioan  withdrawal  of  their  naval  force 
from  tho  ]H)rt  of  Now  York,  and  oslaldish- 
ing  a  station  at  Now  .L(ind(pn.  to  cover  tho 
trade  to,  and  from  New  York:  without 
much  hindrance  from  \\ hich  Ameiican  fri- 
njatos  and  privateers  sailed  from,  and  re- 
turned to  Nowjiort,  Ihiston.  and  other  east- 
ern jiorts,  with  su(di  imiiunity  as  *o  lio 
mentioned  with  sni'iirise  and  coniplaint  in 
Parliiiniont  and  throughout  England. 

'{"he  Idno  lights  trcison — wiiich  called 
forth  nnudi  |)uldic  animadversion,  and  h.as 
ever  since  hoon  nnilt(>r  id'  r(>]n'oa(di  to  the 
whole  comnumity  of  its  |iutativo  anthors— 
v.as  denounced  hv  Conmiodore  Pecatnr's 
oilicial  lett.H'of  the"l2<ith.|inhlishod  (he  liSth 
of  Docenihor.  ISK!,  and  nnide  sulijoct  v.i' 
discussion  in  Congress  the  i!4th  (d' -January, 
1814.  In  tem|iestnous  W(Mith(>r.  with  tho 
cover  of  a  sovoro  storm,  l)(>catnr  resolved 
t(t  V(Mituro   to  soa  during  tin;  night  of  tho 


was  I  ceeding  altogether,  to  pervert  tho  llouso 
the  into  a  (,'ourt  to  try  traitors.  .Mr.  •Jonathan, 
ludiorts,  .John  Vi' .  J'!|ijios,  .John  (J. -Jackson, 
and  Mr.  Calhoun  all  opposed  it.  Mr.  Law 
rejdied,  that  its  fro([uent  nu'iition  in  tin; 
House,  and  apparent  im)iortancc,  induced 
him  to  introduce  tho  resoluti(ni ;  which,  ou 
.Jonathan  lioliorts'  motion,  was  laid  on  tin? 
talile,  hy  a  vote  of  more  than  two  to  one; 
and  never  tak(Mi  \\\)  again,  hut  loft  fur  par- 
ti>^an.  if  not  iiatriotic,  fuid. 

Decatur's  letter  of  tho  ''.Oih  ])ocemlier, 
ISl;'),  was  oilicial  and  ]iositivo,  that  ^vhon 
tho  weather  ju-omisod  an  opportunity  for 
his  s(|uadron  to  got  to  soa,  and  it  wa.-'  said, 
on  shore,  that  ho  intendo(l  to  make  tiH>  at- 
tempt, two  hliu'  lights  wore  hurnt  on  hoth 
tho  points  of  the  harlior's  month  as  sigr.als 
to  the  enemy,  ''and  there  is  not  a  doubt  that 
they  ha\o,  hy  signals,  or  otherwise,  instan- 
taneous information  of  our  niovc:>'e'<*..-. 
Notwithstanding  those  signals  have  l)oou 
repeated   and  t-oon    hy  twenty  persons  at 


loth  l)oc(nnh(.'r,  181.'>,  lioping  tlniMhe  eno-  least  in  this  ,s(iuadron,  there  are  men  in 
iny's  lilockading  s(|uadron  wduld  ho  blown  i  New  London  who  lane  the  hardihood  to 
oif,  or  otlun'wise  unaware  (jf  his  attom)it.  !  aft'i'ct  to  disbtdieve  it,  and  the  oft'rontory  to 


This  movonu'nt,  unavoidably  known  ashor 
when  aljout  U>  bo  nnido,  was  frustrated  by 
two  blue  lights,  disjilayod  on  tlu>  o)iposite 
.sides  (d'the  riven',  as  siginils,  bidieved  to  he 
preeonoortod  with  tho  enemy,  and  answer- 
ed liy  him,  intelligibly  to  those  i'amiliar 
\vith  tho  jiractice  of  signals.  'I'luis  betray- 
ed and  p;  evented,  it  was  not  till  a  year 
afterwards,  the  loth  of  Docombor,  1S14,  of 
iinothor  ton)[iostuous  night,  favored  by  an- 
other s(>v(M'e  storm,  that  l>ocatnr  put  to  sea 
from  New  York,  again  betrayed  by  signals 
from  shore,  which  informed  and  embodied 
the  IJritish  s(|Uadron  that  ca]itur(Ml  him. 
A  month  alter  th(>  Now  i^ondon  all'air,  JjV- 
nnin  ii.iw,  a  native  of  that  place,  and  repre- 
senting in  Congress  that  i)art  of  Connecti- 
cut, on  thi>  24th  of  .hnniary,  ISl.'),  uioved 
for  a  oommittoo  of  tho  House  of  rie]iresout- 
utives,  to  in(piir(!  whether  troasonaldi;  cor- 
rcs])on(lonce  had  boon  hold,  or  ini'ornnition 
given  by  lilui>  lights  from  tho  .shores  to  the 
Jjlockading  s(juadron,  whereby  tho  enemy 
might  learn  tho  movements  of  Decatur's 
fcihips,  to  take  ovidonoe  by  deposition  or 
otherwise,  and  report  to  the  llouse.     He 


avow  their  disbelief.''  It  was  said,  that  the 
blue  lights  were  seen  by  jiersons  of  Ijoth 
the  other  shijis,  the  Macedonian,  Captain 
.Jones,  and  Hornet,  Captain  Biddlo.  Ca])- 
tains  Decatur,  .Jones,  and  liiddle,  had,  nei- 
ther of  them,  any  doubt  of  the  atrociou:i 
fact.  Officers  and  men  of  tho  Hornet,  s-ta- 
tionod  as  lookouts,  d'^^^inctly  saw  and  no- 
ticed tho  bh.:  lights,  and  soon  after  that 
signals  wore  nnulo  from  one  of  the  onomy'.s 
ships,  in  conse([uenoo,  they  jirosumo(l,  of 
those  from  shore  The  officer  of  the  Mace- 
donian, who  was  rowing  guard,  together 
with  all  tho  ukmi  coni[iosing  his  boat's  erew, 
saw  blue  lights  made  on  both  sides  of  tin; 
river,  and  innnodialoly  returned  to  tho  .-diip 
to  report  it  to  his  commanding  officer. 
They  Avoro  ]iers(ins  familiar  w  ith  tho  nnik- 
ing  of  signals,  and  could  not  mistake  the 
connnon  lights  on  slunv!  for  blue  lights. 
Th(^  Now  London  Federal  nowspajior  con- 
stantly insisted  on  the  treason.  Controversy 
arose  among  the  newspapers  of  Connecticut 
on  this  subjoet.  Tlie  Norwith  Courier  de- 
nied the  facts  as  f^tatod  by  the  Now  London 
Ga/ette,    But,  on  full  ii)(iuiry,  the  lurmov 


'^  i: 


i..  !!: 

■■•'I'  i. 


"'  t 


tt'r 


u'    9 

A.i     .' 


ll" 


m 

Wi 


ITTRA^I  TTIAYTTu 


[I.^IC 


I'otrr.v^h^il  its  ns^cTtlun?.,  ndiiiiltin;.!;  ils  mi-- I  jiiopovly  nTitlii''nli('ntoil.     A  iLird  sittompt 


t.ikc.  !ii!il  (li'iliircii.  tliut  lilii(>-ii;i;lit  sinnsils  was  iiiii'lc  iil'tcr  Avav  wiis  (Icclarcd,  by 
I'li'l  liiM'ii  V(']H'atr;!l_v  nia<l'>,  p.ftcr  IIkmi-  first  i  lavinij:  tlu^  iiritds  licforo  tlic  naval  autlKin- 
"xliiliitiiiii  (if  tJ!"    i'")t!i   l)rci'iiitii  V.  Is]."!,  or  !  tl''s  jit  ilalilax.  Iliriimli  t!i(>  iiit('r\(Miti(iii  nl' 


(•.iiiiiilrcls.  (1  •  liliitc  of  fvi'vy  iivinci|'li>  of 
liiMior  a.iiil  ]i:)t,ioti.-'in.''  Sniii!:!\"  ni^ilit,  t!io 
ll'h  of  •.'aiMi.'vy,  If-^! l,  a!); 'it  ion  o'clnck. 
Miio  li;;'!i*'.'i  \V('n'  r.;r:iii)  {'•■;Inliit(Ml  on  liotli 
>i.lo-i  di'  (hf>   river,  aiul  vv-.^ri'   an:'\voniil   liv 


a!!  the  iJriti 


1  I'lir,  i.< 


'I'li^'  iii;!it?i  Avcro  di:;- 


tlio  Ahicrican  ajri'iit  tlicrc.  ^vllll  iiri'-icntcil 
I'crtilii'atcs  from  the  sclcctiiKMi,  tin'  cln-'i-y- 
nian,  ami  tlte  t(i\vn  I'lcrlv.  .>[c';nitin.o, 
'i'liaycr.  f.ir  liis  s"liri(>t_v,  s(>aman:-lii|i,  and 
ox(Mii]il;;vy  t'oniluc*-.  promotiMl  ti>  lii>  Ijoat- 
svvaiu's  mi'.to,  more  oarncstly  than  cAcr 
V('i>(>at("l  his  protest  to  his  taskina'^tcrs.  (h'- 
cl arin;;'  tiiat  liu  never  woiijil  li;rlit  a'.'ainst 
liis  country.  ''Tlien."  said  Srai  l<poh>, 
('ajitain  of  l!ie  Statir.a,  "if  we  fall  in  with 
an  AanM'ie-ii  man-of-war,  ami  y(in  refiun 
duty,  1  will  iunc  yon  tie>l  to  n   nnist.  and 


fir.i-!ly  «een  liy  a  nunilier  of  our  naval  and 
r.iilifary  oftii-ers.  A'rain,  in  ^laveli,  I'-^l  t, 
ilir.'ii'.'j;  fi  i-torai  ot  wind  and  rain,  and 
v.'ea'lun"  favorable  f>r  |)(>catnr's  siiU'idron 
to  )int  to  sea,  hi!  issii'Nl  an  order  vciiuii'ini; ,   ....,.,  .  .  . 

all  his  oilieors,  on  shore,  to  rejiair,  Avithout  |  shot  at  like  a  dop;."  'I'he  anxions,  iKJiiest, 
delay,  on  Ixiard  tlioir  vessels.  Sliortly  after,  and  perseverinf;- father  ajiplied.  on  the  llth 
Mu(!  lights  woro  thrown  np  like  roeketskMarih,  ISl  [,  to  l)(>eatnr  tor  his  intei'posi- 
f;'oin  Lonii;  J'oint.  an<l  distinetly  seen  by  I  tion,  who  furtlnvith  dispatched  a  boat,  nn- 
rh(>  oflicers  at  Fort  Trumbull,  and  by  the  Nl(>r  a  f!a;:- of  truce,  with  the  fither  on  lioard, 
ofHeers  ai\d  men  in  our  lookout  boats.  The  :  fortified  by  all  requisite  ])roof  of  his  son's 
lii^hts  wore  answered  by  three  h.eavy  ^nns  |  American  nati\ity.  The  son,  asboatswain''i 
from  till!  em-my,  at  interve.ls  of  about  ten  '  m;ite,  pined  the  lanids  for  the  boat  j;,  wliicli 
minutes,  and  the  blue  lights  continued  all  liienteuant  Hamilton,  ex-Seeretary  of  the 
niji'ht.  Xavy's  son,  visited  the  I>ritisli  sipiadron. 

The  anthentieated  case  of  a  ynnnq;  man  As  the  boat  a]iproached  th(>  Statira,  tlio 
of  Ma^sacluisetts.  named  Ilirim  Thayer,  '  son,  from  her  deids,  ]i(M-c('ivini!;  his  father, 
was  officially  made  known  in  Mareh,  IS 14,  i  exclaimed  to  the  first  lieiueiuint.  "My 
by  Comnuidore  I)i>catnr,  one (;f  many  simil.u" !  (bill,  sir,  there  (lunes  mv  father  I"  and  tin 
iiiitrac;eous  l.riti.diiiitiiclions  lui  Anu'ricaiis 
to  redress   atiy  sin;;le  instance  of  Avhiidi, 


meetin'j;  of  father  and  son,  ujioii  the  fri- 
gate's deck,  far  beyond  the  power  of  any 
written  evidence,  attostcnl  to  th(>  heart  of 
pv(>ry  bystander  the  trnth  of  the  lattev'.s 
right  to  be  released  from  his  eru(d  boiul- 
ngc.  An  accunndation  of  more  than  twelv(^ 
hinnlred  dollars  arrearages  of  jiay.  whi(di 
he  had  constantlv  refused  to  touidi.  (an  in- 


'■'reat  Britain  woidd,  witliont  hesitation,  ti 

lier  honor  be  it  said,  have  waged  war  Avith 

.'.11  her  might,  althongh  sho  cx(>rtod  it,  to 

nunish  thi.s  country  for  attemjiting  to  get 

lusiiee  f.ir  six  thonsanil  such  instances   ae- 

knowh'dged  by  her  statesnaen  to  be  at  Iciist    ..  ,  ._ _ ,  , 

.■  ixt"en  imndred.     Hiram  Thayer,  born  in  !  di^penib'r.t  fortune*  for  a  frugal  \ew  Kng- 

'Ireenwicli,  Tlampshire  County,  M.assachu- }  lander,)  h(>  gladly  offered  to  relimiuish. 

The  father  we[it ;  the  sou  spent  evorj- 
moment  of  their  short  interviews  in  in- 
qn'i'ies  about  his  family,  of  whom  he  had  so 
ling  been  kept  in  cruel  ignorance:  of  his 
n, other  and  sister,  their luimb'e  honiesteiul, 
;■  nd  every  minute  donu^stie  ( ireumstanco, 
i  11  pleading  in  vain  his  right  to  enlarge- 
uent.  The  .aged  parent  burst  into  tears, 
,.nd  wept  bitterly.  Ilecatur's  letter,  con- 
laining  a  nninly,  high-toned  narrative  of 
the  ease,  without  omitting  Ca]itain  .Staek- 
]i  )le's  brutal  threat,  was  handed  to  Captain 
T'lomas  1'.  Capel,  on  board  the  l^a  llogno, 
CO  nmamling  the  British  s([nadron  ;  who 
instantly  acknowledged  the  certificates  of 
exe  lange  and  discharge  fmni  parol(\  for- 
warded to  l>eeatur,  at  the  reipiest  of  Colo- 
nel Barid.'i.y,  the  Commissary-(!eneral  of 
l»ritish  prisoners  of  war,  for  which,  in  cour- 
teous terms, the  British  commander  returned 
the  order;  and  regretting  that  "  it  was  nol 
in  his  power  to  inder  the  son  of  Mr.  .Fohn 
Tliaver  to  lie  discharired.  nmlerloidv  to  for- 


setts,  Aviis  the  son  of  a  re^oiectable  faianer, 
John  Thayer,  resident  there.  In  ISO.'!,  ho 
■was  seized  by  a  press  gang  and  force.!  into 
I'ritish  service  on  board  the  frigate  Statira, 
(-'aptain  Bramley,  when  that  vessel  brought 
Mr.  Ivose  on  a  special  mission  to  America. 
Thayer,  always  v.'ith  characteristic  forti- 
tude, protesti'd  against  his  imprisonment, 
refused  the  bounty  and  all  pay,  except  so 
laucli  as  was  indispensable,  ta-king  a  small 
jiart  of  it  in  sloiis  only.  IIo  had  been 
immured  in  tho  Statira  frigato  six  years, 
when  that  vesspl  bece.mo  (mo  of  the 
sfpnidron,  blockading  ]>eeatin''s  at  Xew 
London;  and  once  or  mm-e  in  Anun'ican 
piu'ts.  AVhil.*  at  Xorfolk,  A'irginia,  his 
lirotoctio'i  and  certificates  from  the  select- 
men of  Groenwii  h,  were  forwarded  to  tho 
(5ritisli  consul  there,  Avith  an  application 
for  his  rcdease,  tliat  Avas,  of  course,  treat(>d 
with  cont"iupt,  as  all  such  humiliating  and 
Innnilia.led  a|>plications  then  Aver.>.  Simi- 
le, r  doctimeiits  were  a.fterAvavds  laid  before  ^  _ _ 

ilie  [jords  Commissioners  of  the  Admiralty  '  ward  the  ajijilication  by  the  eaidiest  oppoi-- 
liy  tho  Anu'rica.n    consul    in    Ijondon,   but  !  tunity  to    the    commauder-in-chief,    and  T 
rlio  appeal  Avas  there,  too,  rejected,  on  the  j  have  no  doubt  he  Avill  order  hi 
frivolou?  pretext  that  the  papers  Averc  not  |  discharge."     "Xot  a  doulit,"  s; 


lis  innnediato 
iiid  Decatur, 


Cn.vr, 


1  iittonipt 
IillTil.  liy 
I  IIUlllllVl- 

\iMiliiiu  (if 

lU-i'<(Mlt('(l 

111'  (■!f'r;j;y- 
Ii'tiiitiii.c, 

l.-lli|i,   Mini 

111'  IjiiiU- 
li;iii  ('\('r 
Intel's,  (1(>- 
it  ii ;.■■;! i list 
>l;lrk]iii!(', 
!1  ill  witli 
iiii  n'Tufd 
iniist.  uiid 
s.  Inmost, 
1  the  Utli 
iiitiTjiiisi- 

liiillt,  uii- 

(111  lidiinl, 

his  Sim's 

i.'itswain''! 

^  ill  wliicli 

ii-y  (if  the 

s((iiiiilr(in. 

tatiin,  tho 

is  fiith(>r, 

int.    ••  My 

"  ami  tlio 

1)1  tlic  fri- 

or  (if  iniy 

'  licavt  (if 

ic  lattcr's 

•ucl  liiiiid- 

laii  twelve 

lay,  which 

•h,  (an  in- 

X(^M'  Enij;- 

KlUlsil. 

M'Mt  every 
ws  ill  ill- 
he  had  so 
CO:  (if  hif! 
()iiiest<>a(l, 
iiiiistaiioo, 
)  eiilai'ge- 
nto  t(\irs, 
'tter,  ('(in- 
vrative  of 
till  Staek- 
II  Captain 
j:i  lldjfne, 
•nil  ;  who 
ificates  of 
iii'dle,  for- 
■  of  Colo- 
eneral  of 
'i,  ill  einir- 
rretiii'iiud 
t  was  no! 
-Mr.  J.ihn 
Ilk  til  for- 

'St  Ojijinr- 

•f,  and  r 
iiiiH'diate 
i>ecatur, 


JOHN  LEAVIS.— JOSEPH  WARBUKTOX. 


65 


Chap.  IT.]  __^ 

"  was  on  the  mind  uf  any  Piritlsh  oiTicer.  of  |  ^disenian  of  twenty-six  yenvs,  taken  in  her, 
lIiraiiri'havei''shciii;ruiiAni('neaneili/.cii:  i  with  live  iiKire  said  to  he  l]ii-li_di.  was  sen- 
iind  vet  lui'is  detained,  net  as  a  in'isoner  of:  teiiced  to  lie  execntiMl  hy  hMiiiiin.i;  fur  inak 

M-ar,"l)ut  eiiniiielled,  uiK'ei   the  most  eniel    = "■-■" ;..*..  .i-.   r\.\„<.  vl„„l-,.,. 

threats,  to   serve  the  eiieiu.es  of  his  eoun- 

trv." 

"Whether  Thayer  v.'as  ever  rid 'nsed  or 
remained  till  tile  pence,  if  not  'iiny;er,  a 
IJritisli  fi'alley-shive,  1  iini  not  i  ifornied : 
wliiise  siiiiple'story  is  f.md  fur  nnvejist.-.  and 


in;;  oir  Willi  a  prize  tn  ih'e  Jv.lus  ;  slnckiii! 
sjieetaciilar  manif(  station,  that  llriti^li  sea- 
mi>n  fnii;.dit  in  Aiaevii  an  fri;^ates,  (altlmc.jrh 
it  could  not  show  that  they  fiiii;i;iit  M-i  11,  ;m 
AVarliiirtdM  w;:s  one  of  the  ill-iiss(irted,  un- 
discijiliiied  and  mutinous  crew  of  th(>  iinfnr- 


tunate  Che-aiiiiike,  who   rend 


e  •.•('(: 


■r-e.,^.^  , .., -         .       Ih'V    nil 

dramatists",  mure' tiuirhiii;;-  tliaii  many  ofleasy  victim  to  the  Siianmm.MN  aiiairton 
t!ie  tales  and  Ivrics  cf  the  ocean.  A  seed  was  hane-ed  at  the  yard-arm  of  the  Prim  e. 
of  his  ciild-lildoded  sacrifice  is  the  emaiici- 1  attem!(_'d  iiy  the  Iteveyeml  ."Mr.  Joins,  lier 
patidU  of  seamen  from    impressment.     A  i  chaphiin,  confessing!;  his  nuilt.as  was  said 


siiiiile  siudi  outraf^n  Avould  now  rouse  tiio 
wlidle  American  nation  to  a  war  for  its 
punishment.  Thirty  tiiousand  American 
watermen  of  the  West,  who  never  saw  the 
sea.  Wdiild  rush  theri>  to  rescue  one  such 
victim  I'rom  captivity.  Not  only  so:  hut 
impressment  has  jirolialily  lieen  expidled 
fro'm  British  pin-ts  as  W(  if  as  from  Ameri- 
can vcss(ds,  wlicther  naval  or  commercial. 
More  vidlent,  irrational  and  odious,  _ more 
painful  too  and  lastin,u',  than  eonscriptinn 
as  a  method  of  raisin;;  firees,  its  ends,  like 
the  means,  are  also  more  indefensilile :  sea 
warfare  lieiii!;  nuudi  more  licentious  than 
liostliities  liy  land.  Overruling;  Providence 
rendered  impressment  its  own  destniyer. 
AVhcn  many  of  the  merchants,  for  whom  the 
country  was  pluii:;ed  in  war,  deserted  it  to 
make  common  cumiiiercial  cause  with  the 
enemy,  similar  laxity  df  iiidrality  led  them 
to  seek  p;ain  liy  private(n-iii;;.  Besides  the 
S(!veii  or  ei;;ht  thdusand  seamen  in  Ameri- 
can natidiial  vessels,  liravely  cdntendine; 
i'or  sailors'  rii;hts  and  no  impressment,  not 
less  than  five  thousand  vohniteer  mariners, 
tin;  host  in  the  world,  were  at  sea  in  lifty 
privateers,  earryiii;;  live  hundred  cannon, 
thirstins;  for  ven,i;eancf-  and  for  _  prey. 
AVithdrawal  of  the  orders  in  council,  and 
leaving;  only  the  cause  of  the  poor  sailors 
in  dispute,  was  fortin.ute  for  tiiem.  While 
tiie  country  was  sympathizing;  with  Thaj-er, 
one  of  Washin;;ton's  ;;reat  nephews,  John 
TiCwis,  returned,  having;  been  discharp;cd 
from  the  British  ship  I5ose  tho  10th  Feb- 
ruary, 1H12,  shortly  heforo  tho  war,  but 
not  gettin,i;  home  till  ^March,  1S!13,  after 
thirteen  years'  ••onfinement  in  British  ships 
of  war,  on  board  of  wliich  he  was  repeat- 
edly flo^i'sed,  and  once,  as  he  said,  olili;;ed 
to  run  the  gauntlet  throui^h  a  ileet,  faint- 
inn;  under  the  lash,  'fhe  Pn'sident  pive 
him  a  commission  as  a  master's  mate,  and 
ho  was  orihsred  to  the  lake  service  ;  but 
never  went :  he  was  killed  at  the  sack  of 
the  eity  <if  AVashiniiton. 

'J'lie  Xew  London  bluo-lii:;hts  and  the 
massacre  at  Tort  Xiap;ara  occurred  diirin;; 
the  same  tem]u'stiidus  wintry  iH;;lits.  when 
a  brumal  day  at  Spithead,  the  ITtli  Decem- 
ber, IHl.'l,  witnessed  the  execution  of  a  sea- 
man ca]'tiired  with  tin-  fri;;at(^  Chesapeake. 
Joseph  Warburloii,  said  to  bo  a  young  llu- 


jiiid  wainiii;;  live  other  Britisii  seameu 
taken  in  tlM>  Chesapeake,  then  eonlined  ou 
board  the  Prince,  expecting;  the  clemency 
of  their  kiiiu',  never  to  be  wanting  in  feel- 
ings of  fidelity  to  their  king  and  country." 
All  the  boats 'of  all  the  ships  at  Spithead, 
attended  the  execution  of  Warburton,  whose 
sentence  was  read  on  board  of  every  ship 
ir  that  largest  roadstead  of  the  British 
Cni'iiiiel,  where  the  military  parade  on 
su(di  occasions  usual  was  jierformed,  the 
Knglisli  seaman  captured  in  an  American 
frigate  pinioned,  blinded  and  sus]iend(Ml  in 
si;rht  of  all  his  comrades,  and  his  body 
then  interred  at  lleslar  llos])!tal.  I  am 
not  aware  (if  any  nthi'r  instance  of  a  Hriiisli 
.seaman  taken  fighting  in  an  American 
vessel. 

On  tho  last  day  of  tho  yoc.v  1813,  tlH>^ 
English  brig  liramble,  nnder  a  flag  of 
truce,  in  forty-two  days  from  Li\('r]idol. 
aiudiored  at  Aniiainilis.  bearing  the  Iv.iglish 
Secretary  Castlereagh's  letter  of  the  4th 
Xdvember,  Isb'!,  tn  the  American  Sm'retaiy 
of  State,  declining  to  treat  under  l\ussiaii 
mediation,  but  coiiseiuing  to  direct  nego- 
tiation as-  proposed  by  tlu;  American  com- 
missioners at  St.  Petersljurg:  negotiation  at, 
London,  tho  British  capital,  and  unmixed 
with  affairs  of  Europe,  rortunately,  as  it 
eventuat(^d,  the  American  cause-  had  been 
pointedly  severed  from  that  of  France,  to 
which  English  ajiproximntion  the  Anieriean 
commissioners  added  tiieir  consent  to  nego- 
tiate peace,  if  not  sue  for  it,  in  the  enemy's 
capital.  Tidings  by  tho  Brainlile,  also  re- 
ported by  the  Analostan  American  cartel 
arrived  from  Halifax  at  Boston,  about  the 
same  time,  and  by  a  vessel  under  Bussiau 
colors  bound  for  Amelia  Island,  taken  into 
Savannah,  were,  that  in  the  battles  of  tli  ' 
I7tli,  18th  and  lOth  October,  I8l;5,  at  Bres- 
den  and  l^eipsie,  the  French  were  defeateil 
with  the  loss  of  lu'arly  a  hundred  thdUsand 
men.  and  in  full  retreat  fur  France,  pur- 
sued by  their  comiuerors.  On  the  7th 
danuary,  18]  1,  the  President,  withdut  ad- 
vices from  our  ccimmissioners,  coiumiiiii- 
eated  Lord  Castlereagh's  letter  witii  3Ir. 
Monroe's  answer,  accepting  the  English 
overture,  and  naming  Gottenburg,  in 
Sweden,  as  the  pla(>e  for  the  peace  con- 
gress, though  Sweden  wa:*  (.me  of  the  most 


f.v 


ill 

lli 


r 

1  'i'i 


11 


■■»■  '*    , 


St".  AimiVAL  OF  TIIK  BUAMIJLi:.  [1813. 

♦ 
!M'tiv(>  iiii'l  clliclcnt  iillic.t  of  F,ii;;liniil.  On  ]  1h>  iirooodcd  )iy  roliiuiulslmiont  of  tlic  oiiK 
till"  lotli  ■liiiuian.  Isl  I.  till'  House  dl'  lie- 1  iiostiilat.' of  war.  Tlit>  IJraiiihlo  rctiiviiiii^!; 
]in'sciii;iiiv('S  ri''si)l\i'(l.  oil  Mr.  Callioiiirs  [  witli  tlio  Ainci'ii'uii  answer  to  I'lni^land, 
iuiitinn.  tip  rei|iiest  tlii"  Preslileiit  to  (■oiiiniil-  i  l/ieiiteiiant  I'oirsnn,  of  that  vessel,  delivered 
iiieate  ;ill  liie  diieiiHii'iils  cnni.'ei'ni  n;j;  tlie  !  it  ill  liOHil<m  the  l2d  I'eliniars',  ISll.  wliere 
Itiissiaii  nii'diatinn.  wliieli  were  aceordiiiji'lv  !  tlie  fipi'i'esiiiiiideiice  was  |nililislied  with  lit- 
(Miiinmiiiirated  on  tiie  l^^th  of  that  nionlii. 


On  that  day  ^\  illiain  tlastoii  moved  a  re  m- 
liitiiiii,  that,  iieiiiiinj:;  the  ne;;'oliation  with 
(Ireat  Uritain.  it  is  inex]ie(!ieiit  to  )iroseente 
military  operations  ajjainst  the  l'ana(his. 
of  iinasioii  or  eoncinest.  IJnt  cessation  of 
liostilities  liy  land,  wiiile  ]iroseenteil  hy  sea 
or  at  all  while  theenemy  perseveriMJ  in  them, 
wai  deem(Ml  unwise;  and  the  House,  hy 
tiie  rather  unusual  stand  of  a  refusal  to 
consider  the  resolution,  ]iut  it  down  hy  a 
Vote  of  ninety-two  nays  to  slxty-soven 
ailirmativi>s ;  mostly  party  votes,  thouj;h 
3Ir.  rheves,  Mr.  Kppes,  Mr.  Maeon  and 
IMr.  Alexander,  of  the  administration  jiarty, 
vuted  to  consider.  On  the  4th  -lanuary, 
ISI  1,  Henry  Clay  and  Jonathan  ]{nss(dl 
were  nomii\ated  commissioners  to  join  Mr. 
iVdams  and  Mr.  llayard  in  the  (iottenliurf;' 
mission ;    and    Mr.  Kussell,  re-nomiinited, 


lie  effect,  exc'e]>t  on  the  prices  (d' American 
produce,  vvhicli  rose  as  if  Americans  hein;; 
willini^  to  treat  for  peui'e,  as  the  i/ondou 
^ersion  of  Monroe's  letter  was,  was  not 
muidi  reason  for  its  taking!;  place.  \'ery 
early  ne.xt  spring',  the  disenj^a^ed  liritish 
conipierors  nl'  i'rance  lie^'au  their  conli- 
dent,  vindictive  and  menacing  transit  from 
Furope  to  America.  Althoufin  our  admin- 
istration was  luit  without  faint  hoji"  that  it 
mi^ht  mak(  somi'thing  out  of  any  nej^otia- 
tion  that  Kiij:;land  would  allow  anywhere, 
yet  in  suhmittin;;  thi>  15ramlil(>'.s  letters  to 
('on;!:r(<ss,  the  President  could  hardly  siay 
less  tinui  that  a  rtdaxation  of  preparations 
for  vij;'orously  carryin^j;  on  war  would  ni>co.s- 
sarily  have  the  most  injurious  eonse((uenccs. 
TiitidlijieiU'i;  of  the  astounding-  triumidis 
tc.  (ireat  Britain  excited  <;reat  sensation  in 
tiie  United  States.     Tlu' l)oardin<i--houses  of 


was  ediitirnu'd  liy  Senate  as  minister  (deni-  j  the  federal  memliers  of  the  ^Maryland  Le^'is- 
potentiary  to  Sweden.  On  the  llltli  -Ja- ,  lature.  at  Annapidis,  were  illuminated,  on 
nuary.  1S14,  IMr.  Clay  resij^neil  tlie  sjjcak- •  the  liramhle's  arrival  there;  M'itli  the  }ilad 
ership  in  a  short  valedictory,  and  on  old  |  tidin;i's.  AXew  Vorkdournal,  the  llecorder, 
"William  I'indlay's  mution  receiveil  the  j  stated  that  "poor,  murderous,  proscrildnj;;, 
thanks  of  the  House  hy  a  lar;j;e,  thouf^h  villainous  democracy  Avas  goin;;' down.  The 
not  (|uite  unanimous  vote,  one  Lundri^l  and  j  illustrious  and  most  <florious  nation,  CJreat 


to    nine,    counted    hy 


division  j  Britain,  will  exhihit  to  the  world  the  foi 


forty-four 

nu'rtdy,  withnut  names  called.  On  the  '  and  illusory  hoi)(\s  of  Mr.  iMadison  and  his 
,«ame  day,  (tverruling  an  (>f('nrt  of  Jonathan  '  jiarty.''  'fhe  IJosten  (iazette  rejoiced  that 
j'idierts  to  ]>nstpone  it,  Ijangdon  Cheves  i  "  the  destruction  of  Bonaparte,  sacking  and 
vas  chosen  Speaker  hy  a  few  of  the  ad-  hurning  of  the  frontiers,  prohalile  conijuost 
ministration  united  with  most  of  the  oppo- 
nition  votes,  defeating  Felix  llriindy,  our 
candidate,  who  received  fifty-nine  votes. 

'J'ho  seemingly  conciliatory  intelligence 
l)y  the  IJramhle  affected  '"le  community  with 
nnreasoni'lilo  hopes  of  apiiroaching  peace, 
find  American  ju'oduco  with  sudden  declino 


of  Louisiana,  want  of  iiiom^y,  of  men  and 
of  confidence,  would  lay  the  present  dmni- 
nators  of  tin'  peojde  Hat  on  their  hacks,  and 
urge  them  to  devise  and  heepieath  the  car- 
rying on  of  the  war  and  iis  difficulties  to 
whoever  will  step  into  their  shoes."  Those 
American  sentiments,  when  they  roached 
from  war  pric(,'s.  IJut  neither  government  j  English  ground,  heeanio  of  course  more 
nor  int(dligent  men  flattereil  themselves  with  I  com)il(>tely  English.     A  Halifax  ]iapcr  of 


pacification.  Determination  of  the  minis 
try  not  to  stop  hostilities  till  the  United 
States  yielded  the  fjuestion  of  impr(>ssmcnt, 
Avas  no  secret  ii>  Knglan  1.  The  chairman 
of  the  I'last  In.lia  Court  of  Directors,  Ellis, 
wrote  to  a  coi respondent  in  Dermuda,  "I 
have  had  an  explanation  with  ministers  ; 
there  is  nothiuf!;  coni))romised  to  his  majes- 
ty's government  in  the  des)iat(dies  by  the 
schooner  IJramhle  to  affect  the  commercial 
interest.  The  American  commissioners 
must  have  full  powers  to  affect  even  their 
temjtorary  int(>rests.  T{efore  we  can  enter 
into  any  kind  of  negotiatinii  whatever,  they 
must  reliufpiish  tlndr  supposed  riglit  of 
claiming  IJritish-horn  sulijects  ))y  right  of 
adoption,  hut  more  particularly  of  seamen." 
Thus  permission  for  our  minister  to  s(jlicit 
peace  at  London,  l(>ave  to  negotiate  at  all, 


and  tlieio  at  the  foot  of  thu  throne,  was  to  I  government." 


the  Stli  January,  li^l4 — a  day  which  twelve 
months  after  was  consecrated  to  falsinca- 
tion  of  the  prediction — stated,  "  The  in- 
iial)itants  of  this  and  our  sister  provinces 
cannot  fail  to  he  gratified  at  the  jjivdica- 
ment  in  which  Najioleon's  overthrow  places 
his  pander  JIadison  :  that  monster,  with  all 
the  vices  which  blacken  th.;  character  of 
the  French  ruler,  without  a  licruple  of  the 
shadow  of  virtue,  now  at  the  mercy,  thanks 
to  Almighty  justice,  of  the  nation  he  vainly 
and  impiously  <'ndeavored  to  destroy,  and 
with  it  the  world's  freedom.  It  is  n,)t  the 
wish,  |)erhaps  not  the  interesi  of  Great 
Uritain  to  r(>possess  her  rebellious  colo- 
nies: but  a  portion  given  to  her  allies 
would  at  once  secure  those  she  wishes  to 
retain,  and  do  good  to  the  Americans,  in 
spit(>   of   themselves,    by   giving    them    a 


[1813. 

f  tlio  only 
rctiiviiiii}.'; 
Kii.iilaiid, 
.  (li'li\('n'(l 
111,  wlicrc 
(I  witli  lit- 
Aiiu'rifiUi 
•iHis  liciiij:; 
ll(>  IiiiiiiIdu 
,  Wiis  not 
ii'c.  Vi'i'v 
(.mI  Ih'itisii 
loir  niiifi- 
lUisit  I'l'diu 
»ur  iidiiiiii- 
djii'  tliiit  it 
ly  iu';;iitui- 
iinywlKTC, 
i  letters  to 
iiiinlly  i<ay 
'opiinitions 
mill  iieecs- 

SOIlUOIlfCH. 

;  triiiiniiliH 
•nsiition  i'.i 
Li;-hous('.s  of 
liiinl  lj(';;'is- 
liiiatc'd.  on 
h  iho  jiliid 
'  llecoi-(ler, 
rosci'iliin;;, 
iloAvu.  The 
tion,  tireiit 
I  the  folly 
on  iUKi  Ills 
oieecl  that 
[iL'kin^anil 

C  OOIKiUCSt 

"  men  ami 
sent  domi- 
liaeks,  and 
th  the  car- 
SRcnltios  to 
H."  Tlicso 
>y  reached 
nrse  more 
i  jiajier  of 

ieh  twelve 
()  fulsinca- 

"  The  in- 

provlncos 
le  predioa- 
irow  nlacos 
L-r,  -with  uU 
liart.eter  of 

])le  of  the 
rey,  thanks 
1  he  vainly 
estroy,  and 

is  n.)t  the 

of  Great 

lions   colo- 

her  allies 
e  wishes  to 
lerieans,  in 
thum    ti 


Chap.  11. 


CAPTIUKI)  l'LA(iS. 


01 


On  the  IDth  Deeemlier.  Isl:'..  Mr.  I'iel;- j  lla;j;s,  stiimhirds,  andcolors  taken  hy  (!ie 
eriii^  |)ro|iosed  a  valiiaMi'  iniiiniveinent,  i  forces  of  the  I'liited  States  IVoni  tiieir  eii"- 
whieh   111'   followed  up  with  eoiiniiend 


zeal,  I  ill.  iin    the    l27th  of   that    month,  it 
hecanu-  a  law,  that  two  hundred  extrii  co- 

iiies  cf  the  jourmils  and  doeuiuents  of  hoth 
loll  ;es  of  Congress  shall  lii>  de|ioslled  i 
the  liiiirary  of  ('onj;ress  for  the  use  of 
meiiiliers,  aiul  that  toiieiher  with  the  acts 
of  ('on;;ress,  copies  shall  lie  transmitted  to 
each  executive,  each  hranch  of  the  lejrisla- 
ture  of  every  State  and  territorial  lej;isla- 
ture,  and  a  copy  to  every  university,  col- 
leiii'  and  historiv-al  society  incor]iorated  in 
each  ate.  KiMV  thin;;s  have  contrihuted 
more  '  familiarize  tlie  wide-spread  peojile 
of  the   United  States  with   their   national 


mies:  will!  re)iiirteil  on  the  lili  relirimry 
the  l.ill  whieh  tiei  ame  a  law  the  iMh  April. 
ISl  1,  directiiiir  the  Secretaries  of  War  and 
the  Navy  to  collect  at  Washin^jton  all  studi 
IS  had  heen  or  shall  he  taken,  to  he  de- 
livered to  the  l*resi<lent  for  )iresentation 
and  display  in  smdi  )iiililic  jihiee  us  he 
deemed  jaoper.  It  appeared,  hy  the  elo- 
ipient  report  of  I'r.  Seyiicrt,  that  the  colors 
taken  from  the  Ui'itish  scM'nth  I'c^iim  nt  hy 
Montgomery  at  Chamldy,  the  ISth  Octoher, 
ITT-'),  hail  heen  didivercd  to  \'onjrri'ss  on  the 
•j;jd  'luiu',  177S  :  who  directed  the  stamlarihs 
and  coloi's  taken  from  the  enei'iy  to  I  e  col- 
lec  ed:  \s  hich,  owin;;-  to  ]ieculiar  ueL'li^ence, 

ise   trutih' 


f^overnment,  and  attach   them   to  it,  than  i  was  not  done.     Only  si.K  of  those  truplin 
the    profuse   distrihution    hy    memhers    of  |  of  the  llevolution  renuiined  in  Isllin  the 
('on<rress  of  what  are    called    documents,  1  "War  Otiii  e  ;  not  one  in   that  ol   the   Navy; 

the 
i))tnre  oi  Lornwaiiis,  ami  tner(!  was  reason 
executive  connnnnications  to  hoth  Houses  |  to  In  lieve  as  many  at  that  of  lUirji'oyne. 
of  Coni^ress.  Mr.  I'icke-inji's  imjirove-lOn  the  other  hand,  th.e  standard  of  the 
ment,  the  he;;innini;-  of  that  dissemination,  '  fourth  rejiinnMit  of  I'liited  States  infantry, 
entitles  him    to  general   and   jj;rateful   re-    ii;iiominiously   surrendered   at    l>etroit    liy 


\VMI^ll>ft       lU        \^  Hill       tllC        UilllOl        UIH    UilH    II  l.^,    I      IT    111      ,.'111,1      ,       II, 'I      ,rii.       111       ,,>.,L,'i        ,..v        .....^, 

that  is,  the  procee('.ings  and  rejiorts  of  the  j  althonjih    twenty-hmr  were    taken    at    tl 
National    liC"  ishiture,    which    include    all  |  caiitnre  of  Cornwallis,  and  then;  was  reasii 


nu'mlirance. 

On  the  2.iil  Decemher,  181."..  1  snhmitted. 
with  a  detailed  report  from  a  s(dect  com- 
mittee, for  whieh  materials  had  heen  col- 
lected hetween  the  two  Sessions,  the  hill 
authm-izinj;  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
to  suhscrihe  on  the  part  of  the  rnitetl  States 
for  seven  hiindreil  and  lifty  shares  of  the 
.stock  of  the  ('IiesM]ieake  and  Delaware  Canal 
Comiiany, which  did  not  heconu'  a  law  till  ten 
years  afterwards;  hut  was,  nevertheless,  one 
of  the  creations  of  that  wav,aml  several  times 
considered  that  session  in  committee  of  the 
whole.  On  the  oOth  Decemher,  ISl.'!.  Mr. 
Calhoun,  for  the  connnittee  on  forei^rn  af- 
fairs, pursuant  to  the  I'rcsident's  recom- 
mendation, reported  two  hills  for  more 
olfectually  enforcinn;  the  non-impoi'tation 
laws;  one  forhiddin;;'  courts  to  deliver  to 
claimants,  jiendinj!;  trial,  nu-rchandizo  or 
other  articles  seized  under  those  acts  ;  the 
other  jirohihitinj!;  the  ransominj;-  of  Anuu-i- 
can  vessels  caiitured  hy  etu'mies.  IJoth 
of  those  forhidden  proceeding's  were  mis- 
chievously extensive:  hut  neither  oi'  the 
bills  hecanu!  a  law.  That  ajjainst  delivery 
of  floods  passed  the  IFouse  the^oth  Janniiry, 
li>l4,  that  ag'ainst  ransoms  the  next  day ; 
hut  neither  o^ot  throuo-h  the  Senat(\  to 
the  annoyance!  of  the  K.xecutive,  and  of 
the  few  l-'astorn  memhers,  whose  fidlow- 
eitizons  imported  British  j>;oods  undtn- feij^n- 
cd  ran^onls  from  capture  at  sea,  and  j^ot 
deliver^'  on  frail  security  in  court  of  prize 
goods,  which  once  :-,dieved  from  judicial 
grasp,  disappeared,  leaviuj:;  worthless  re- 
Bponsihility. 

As  early  in  the  session  as  the  20th  De- 
cemher, 18l;{,  on  Adam  Soyhert's  motion, 
a  .select  committee  was  ai)pointed  to  inquire 
into  the  condition  and  distribution  of  the 


llnll,  was  instantly  sent  lo  London,  iind 
there  jiaraded  in  the  t'oun-i'  Chamlier  at 
Whiteliall.  Since  the  declavaliu:;  of  war, 
in  •June,  lSl2,  thirteen  na\nl  flaj;s  had  hei  n 
received  at  the  >iavy  Department,  and  seve- 
ral others  were  known  to  have  heen  cap- 
tured. Dr.  Seyhert's  rejuirt  well  explained 
the  i'luropean  usages  rey.anllnj;'  such  demon- 
strations of  warlike  success  and  iueitiMuents 
to  national  distinction,  cherished  hy  all  'la- 
lions  as  wise  nioinim(.'nts  of  their  renown. 
The  act  of  Oonnress  he  re]iorteil  ]iassed 
without  ohjeetion:  hut  the  neiiligence,  whiidi 
in  the  ricvohition  was  jierlnips  e.xcusahh? 
in  preventio}'  its  ex(M'ntion,  renniins  to  this 
hour  unpardonahly  ojierative.  Molhinj;'  was 
then,  or  has  heen  siin-e  done  to  perl'orm  the 
jdeasing  and  patriotic  duty  devolved  hy 
(.'onj;ress  on  the  Hxecutive.  The  act  of 
the  l8th  April,  1814,  remains  to  this  hour 
unexecuted.  Tro))iues  of  Avar  ke]it,  hut 
sciU'cely  ))reserved  in  nuaildy  boxes  and 
dark  cocklofts,  have  nowhere  been  dis- 
jdayed.  Contrary  to  the  obvious  design  of 
the  act  of  Congress,  the  Mexican  Hags  liavo 
lately  be(>n  depositiMl  atAVest  Point,  iuid  the 
Secrettuy  of  the  Xavy  ]iro]K)ses  to  cidlect 
the  naval  flags  at  Annapolis.  "Whereas  no 
selmol  or  place  hut  the  Ca|)itol  at  the  seat 
of  government  is  ]U'oi)er  for  such  objects. 
Authorizing  the  disiiersion  of  th(>se  stand- 
ards at  dilferent  and  distant  localities,  vio- 
lates the  act  of  Congress,  and  yields  to  that 
encroaching  spirit  of  locality  so  often  detri- 
mental. 

On  the  3(1  .lanuary,  l.SU,  IMr.  AVehster 
resumed  his  charge  of  uiulue  French  inllu- 
once  in  the  administration:  of  which  an 
account  is  given  in  my  former  volume.    He 

(1  only  taken  his  seat  a  day  or  two  before 
the  revival  of  his  ixuputation,  wiiicli  was, 


l',  I 


I 


S    '11 


58  FiiAxcr.  [\m. 

liy  roisiiln.tiun  to  rcT"V  Srcvolnvv  ^ImiriM' |  inovcil  aniilocrnu^*  voMnlutioiu*.  wli'hli  Ih' 
mill  the  Ci'iiiiullti'i' (iT  I'civi'i'.'M  Ali'iii':'' (|»ri'- 1  iir;j,i'(l  (iiTcilv.  Imt  en  tlu'  Idtli  .)!iiiu:in, 
Fcnti'l  liy  .Mr.  Ciilliniiii)  ri'|Hii't  oil  till- Mill- 1  Isl  t.  wiiliilri'W  Cur  ndirrs  Mili-litiilnl  I'ly 
ji'ct,  til  tliiit  ciiininilti'i'.  'I'lii-  lliiiisc  iiiit  liiiii  mill  M'vcral  tiiiics  ili'liatril,  liiit  wliliiiiit 
liii\in!i  iii'ti'il   (111   till'   siitiii'ct,  III'  sniil    liis  j  ciilicr  ili^ilnMin-  ur  ri^iill  wurlli   iiii'IU'i'iIl- 

iiii;;.    Oil  till'  l.'llli  .\|iril.  isM,  .Mr.  (laston's 

rcsiilllti'ill      V,;l>i     lulojili'il.     rri|lli'stlll.ij;     lllr 

Pri'>»iili'iil   I'l  I'Miniiiiiiiicatc  iiiiv  iiri)|ii'r  \u- 
f'lniiiitlnii,  wiiirli  III'  iinswi'ri'il  tlu'   JlUli  I't' 


iiiiilioii  \v;is  til  liriiiii  it  I'lirwiinl ;  niiw  illiiiL!; 
t!i:if  ;iii  :iii;Mimi'iit  in  iiii-.\vi'r  to  vcsiliitiniis 
(if  the  Iliiii;!!'.  slmiilil  )i!is,-j  (|iiii'tly  into  )iri'- 

IM'lllMlt.       M'lll'Il     tllix     llllllM',     til.'     iiiUliiu's 

jrrmul  iiii|iii'>t.  i':ill('il  fur  iiiririiiiitinn  (ni  '  tln' luuiuli,  rohiiiiiiiii'i-.'.iiii;  Mr.  ('niw  liiiil^ 
sii'.'ilir  jiiiliit-'.  Ill'  ili'jiri'r;il.'il  lliat  II  mere  '  l.'tti'r  iVmii  Paris,  dl'ilii'  Idlli  •laiiiiary.  I.^ll. 
(Miiliiirati'il  ar;.;iiiiii'iit  >li(iiiM  1."  Ih'M  cnii- '  ciiiitaiiiiii;:  iiMiIiin.'j;  nt' iiii|ii'i'iauri' :  a  hrid' 
i'liisi\(>  nil  its  jiii|j;nii'iit.  'I'lii'  IliiHi'  hail  I  aci'iiiiit  ol'  I'iriicli  ntlirial  ii-MiraiHTs  (.f 
sliiiwii  ils  iii'arly  iiiianiiiiiiiis  ili'viro  in  Ii'uni  [jjnnd  Avill  ami  iirniiiisi's  nf  iiiiliiimily,  jirn- 
wliv  our  arms  lunl  t'.iili'il.  War  it  imt  ii.><  ]  (■riistiimlcilliv  tln' sujiri'iiu' crisis  nj' I'lciifli 
iiii|iiirtant  til  kimw  if  tlu'i'i' was  nut  snnii--  ntViiirs,  wlu'ii  tlw  siifci'ssivc  I'lissian  aiiil 
tliiii'j;  Avrnii;:;  in  tin'  oriitin  ami  cnusi'  ol'  tlio  i  Saxon  caiiiiiaitrns  (li'tlirniii'il  tin'  liniia- 
war?  .V  ln'ttrr  faiisc  may  liavi*  hi'm  as  '  jiartcs,  ri'stcirnl  tlic  IJntirlMins.  ami  Ilir  lins- 
ii"c«'ss:irv  as  liotti'r  ironi'rals.  I^ct  i.'s  ailvn-!  tilr  (iccii)iatiiin  of  I'miici',  ('nliircinu-  lariciT 
vati's  slmw  tliat  it  was  .\nii'ri('an,  iiiipaitial  coiitrilintiinis  ilian  wi'ir  ever  |iaiil  Ky  a  i-nii- 
us  til  liiitli  till'  l'iiiri)|iraii  lii'lJiti'i'i'i'iits.  .^Iak(' >  unrrcil  cniinlrv,  aiitimri/i'il  tin'  Annrii'an 
it  a  war  of  tlw  iiiiijilc.  ami  not  of  a  narty.  '  minister,  making;  a  iiicvit  of  ni'ci'ssity.  to 
mill  it  Would  lici'oiiu'  as  ('iu'r;:;i'ti('  as  it  liinl  ,  sipaiify  that  tin'  .Viiicrifan  iiciiiililic,  not 
lu'iMi  fi'i'lili'.     "W'itli  such  II  war  y,oYi'riim('iit  {  ri'lim|uishinLC,  wouM  defer  tlieir  idaims  till 


Avould  have  only  to  direct  spontaneous  pu- , 
jMilar  efforts,  instead  of  heinu:  at  the  end  of 
two  drivi'lin!r  camii.'.iiriis  farther  than  ever' 
from  their  olijeit — the  eoni|m'st  of  Canada.  ! 
Canuila.  to  the  walls  of ' tneln'e,  would  have 


the  niiudi  indehted  restored  kin^cdom  ol 
rraiice  should  lie  hetter  ahle  to  jiay  them. 
I'reiich  in  hieiire  in  .Vnierica  has  always 
heeii  '  oiiierical  ;  while,  IVom  the  l''reiicli 
revolntioii  of  IT.^'.I  to  that  of  IS  IS,  American 


lii'cn  ours  ill  thirty  days  if  the  ]ieojd"  had  inlliieiice  in  I'rame  has  proved  iirodiM;i(ius 
hoeii  satislied  that  it  should  lie.  At  this  and  iiortentous  reality, 
jiart  of  hissju'ech,  .^Ir. A\'i'l)ster  v,as(  lu'idied  j  The  iirst  hill  re|iorted, -which  hccaiuo  a 
liy  Speaker  Clay  intimating;  that  the  House's  ]  la^^',  after  the  Kmliariio  Act,  was,  for  ccr- 
deteriniiiation  to  consider  must  prei-ede  dis- '  tain  partial  aiipiopriations,  reported  hy  Mr. 
ous>.ioii,  to  which  .Mr,  W'ehster  replied  that  Mjipes.  from  tic  cMmmiltce  of  wavs  ami 
]ie  thoii'jiht  ih'liate  was  in  order  on  a  i|nes-'  means,  to  whiidi,  when  it  came  to  the  vote 
tioii  of  rel'i'veiiee.  'I'liaMittie  check  enaliled  lor  en^i'ro.-smeiit  the  ."itli  of  .lannary.  liSl4, 
him  to  modify  his  motion  for  rclerence  to  eoiita.iniiij;'  a  million  and  .a  half  towards 
the  committee  (if  the  whole,  and  to  render  military  ('X]ii'iises,  'riniothy  Pitkin  oh- 
it  a  sjiecial  order  for  the  next  Monday,  in-  jected,  hccansc  the  estimates  for  the  year 
stead  of  to  the  t'ommittec  of  l*'oi;ei;j:n  .Mfairs,  |  liad  not  come  in  from  the  'i'reasiiry.  Mr. 
Vidiero  it  would  certainly  have  slept  or  been  j  (irosveiior  exhorted  the  IIoiise,as;i;iiardiaiis 
refuted  as  hcforo.  (lovernor  AVrlu.'ht  de- j  ol"  the  ]iuhlic  i'limls,  to  wiihhold  all  supplies 
iiounced  the  whole  move:i'ent  as  teiidinj;  to  ]  in  order  to  cnerce  production  of  the  neces- 
no  li-oud  but  to  jiaraly/.o  the  arm  of  i:;overii- 1  sary  estimates,  Mr.  (.'heves  said,  that  lie 
meiit.  whiidi.  oiijiht  to  he  Imsy  in  stren;:;th- 1  should  vote  reluctantly  for  any  appropria- 
cnin,^;  the  army  and  navy,  instead  of  such  \  timis,  without  estimates.  Mr.  Kppes  and 
pcfifc  </iiijrrc  of  partisans.  Quo  (iiti)no,  and  |  Mr.  Troup  replied,  that  partial  appropria- 
etii  bono  suidi  (ipposition?  He  moved  to  '  tions  precediiiij;  the  j^eneral  estimates,  were 
postjiono  it  till  4th  March,  on  wliiidi  motion  '  usual,  lessened  no  Kxeeiitive  acconiitahility. 
the  ayes  wore  (i!)  to  812  nays.  Felix  (Iniiuly  '  and  authorized  no  application  of  the  fund 
then  moved  the  first  ^londay  in  {''ehruary.  !  imt  as  directed  hy  hiw.  Mr.  i'itkin's  oh- 
to  which  ^Ir.  AV'ebster  and  Mr.  (iastoii  ob- 1  jection  was  overruled  by  a  larire  majoritv. 
joctcd  as  too  far  off.  (ieneral  Desha  moved  •  The  Senate  put  another  million  in  the  bill, 
to  jiostpone  the  matter  indefinitely,  whi(d\  I  toward  defrayino-  the  expenses  of  the  navy, 
the  S]i('aker  ruled  out  of  order.  Mr.  Cal- 1  whi(di  renewed  and  increased  ojiposition 
lioun  siioke  decidedly  for  the  earliest  day.  !  when    that   amenilment   came    before  the 


denyin.a-  that  the  war  iiarty  were  bound  ti 
prove  anythiiiir,  the  burden  of  ]iro()f  lest- 
ini;  on  the  mover  and  his  suiiporters.  The 
pulijei't  was  not  called  nji  f'  r  consideration 
till'tiK-  '2d  April,  isll,  when  Mr.  Webster's 
motion  to  jio  into  committee  of  the  whole 
for  the  )iurpose  was  negatived  by  7")  nays 
to    37    aj-es,   mostly  Jiarty  votes,   thouji;h 


House,  for  ^Ir.  .Macon  als(^  demurred  te 
votinjj;  money  without  estiimites.  thoujili 
Mr.  Kppes  (jiioted  precedents.  A\'hen  the 
ayes  and  nays  were  ordered,  he  wished  te 
see,  he  said,  who  would  voti^  against  our 
li'alhuit  imvy:  which  taunt  elicited  a  sharp 
retort  from  Mr.  SheH'ey,  Air.  A\'ebster,  ami 
Mr.  I'itkin,  disavowing:;  all  hostility  to  the 


Cyrus  Kino;  was  one  of  il,  '  navs.     On  the  I  navy,  but  protestinir  '.greater  r(';j;ard  for  the 
20th   December,  ISj:',,  Ak-Aander  Hanson  !  Constitution.  Willis  Alston,  Robert  Wright, 


and  Ji 

federal 

loans  a 

ni'd  op 

they   w 

niiiemli 

]Kirty  v 

tioii :    \ 

e<ta'ilis 

iiijaiiist 

b"  disli 

fusel  lie 

is  a  cai 

Jiopiilar 

oliiei'iiii 

Jirojii  iei 

are  supi 

'    witliliidi 

siijiplio 

sort  in 

a  cliaii^ 

liefore  ; 

war  Slip 

not  (dia 

pi\('rnii: 

howe\-er 

Kp|>cs,  a 

plantiiit:; 

(lisjiosed 

its  Mippi 

mid  twit 
tional  sa 
frail  advi' 
niensiira 
natiiiii,  II 
The  n 
f^tates.  il 
was   sevi 
sloops 
and  thn 
several 
bor   I 
three    fVi 
nunilie 
thirteen 
ty-nine, 
n'lid  (172 
onlar;i 
'J'iie  ciiiui 
Were  22 
t<'nants, 
naval  coi 
Viert,  in  ti 
commiitr 
Mr.  Low: 
that    the 
month,  tl 
tlie  Cnite 
six  huiiili 
the  fiireii. 
Sei-reta 
22il   i-'ebr 
nnd  thrcei 
pIoojis  of 
hundred 
0(1  in  the 
sizes  for  ;; 


Sll'ull      111' 

.lMiiii:ir\ , 
itiid'il  I'ly 
it  willliillt 
iii'Mili'iii- 
'.  (iastoii'x 
>tiii;j;    I'll' 

iVli|it'l'    i'l- 

hi-  IClli  «•!' 
'rn\vliirir>< 
liir.v.  \><\\. 
r  :  ii  livicl" 

ll'illU'l'S     I'l' 

miilv.  prn- 

iil'  ("ri'iifh 

issiim  iiinl 

tin'      llollil- 

1(1  tlu'  ln's- 

ciiiii  lartriT 

tl  ],y  a  ci.ii- 

Aniivican 

c'l'i'-^sity.  tn 

jiiililii',  iKit 

claims  till 

;iiijriliiii\   (if 

)iay  tluMii. 

lias' always 

the   Fri'iU'h 

\  Aincrican 

jiriiili^liuis 

h  licoanin  a 
ras,  for  fcr- 
ivtt>(\  '>y  ^Ir. 
I'  ways  ami 
to   tlic  Vnlf 
Hiary.  ISll. 
ilf  "tiiwarils 
Pitkin    (>!'- 
fur  the   yi'ar 
isury.     Mr. 
s  <j:uar(lians 
ail  suiii>lit's 
I'  tlic   llCl'CS- 
aiil.  that  lu' 

aiiiimiu'ia- 

K)ilios   anil 

I  aiiin'iilivia- 

imatos.  wore 

(•iiuiitaliility, 

of  till'  fund 

Pitkin's  yh- 

I'LTc  majiii'ity. 

n  ill  the  hill, 

(if  tlio  navy, 

,1    o]i]iiisitiiin 

>    lici'iiro  the 

ilciuuri'i'il  t(i 

atcs,   thmi-ili 

,     AVh(-n  the 

he  wishcil  to 

against  tair 
iciti'il  a  shai')i 
AVi'listoi".  ami 
i.xtility  to  till' 
•cirard  for  thr 
(jl'jcrt  Wright, 


]iarty  vote',  cNi'i'iit  >rai'ini  with  thcoinKisi 
tioii';  whose  cliarai'lerij-tif  Kjwriality  ami 
".ita'ili^hi'il   iio|ii;lavify  it  rc'iiiiri'il   lo  vol 


'.iL'"i.  to  whii-h  nniiiliir.  i'.CiHd  wcri-  aiMnl  in 
l^^d'.i.  In  ISpJ.  ('i.ii'vrcss  nnthori/i'il  the 
•■      ■•  •  111   ho 


(>^taMi<hcil  ]io|ii;lav;fy  it  ri"iiiiriMl  lo  voto  Jlsd'.i.  In  ISpJ.  ('Liijircss  nnthon/i'il  the 
ti'^ainst  his  partv.  wlu'-ti  party  coiihl  lianily  '  ProsiiliMit  to  <'iii|'!iiy  as  many  as  wmilil  ho 
]\<'  ilisiinvnishi"!  fruiii  iMninlry.  I5ut  to  iv-  ^  ni>c.  ^saiy  to  ciiii!]!  ihi'  vessels  t..  lie  put  in 
fiis,' tlie  r.xeiiitive  money  without  e-timates  j  ser\  ,-e,  and  to  hiiilil  as  many  vev-'ds  for 
i-;  a  rardinal  and  eon>;ervalive  |iriiii'i|ile  of'  the  lakes  as  the  ]iiihlie  serui'e  rei|iiiied. 
jioiailar  ;;overniiiei,t.  justilyin;'-  the  fi'doral  I  The  l,ondon_  press  veln'iiienlly  nr;:e(l 
.,l,!,...i:.,ii        l>i ./i.iiivi    iivi'i    i.li.iitv  t'liv   ini-  '  ("sMiniiKi's  viiw  for  the  extermination  of  llio 


P") ,. •••.■  --v-   •■•■    ;     •  .- 

oh|eetioii.     Pi I'ents  are  plenty  lor  im 

]ir'o|ivietii':.  Ihit  aiilit;ivy  aiipropriatioiis 
ari'  supplies  whieh  may  lie  eonsiitiitioiially 
withheld  till  duly  estin'iated.  \\ithholdin;x 
supplirs  in  Ciiii'rress  dill'ers  from  that  re- 
i-'ort  ill   P,ir!iam"iit,  wliere   it  only  eoniiiels 


'  ("anniti.n's  vow  for  the  extermination  of  ila 
infant  American  navy.  On  thdM  of  duly, 
it  said,  "  In  another  purt  ol'  this  pajnr  our 
readers  will  see  a  dm  nnieiit  calculated  to 
call  forth  the  most  rcriou-^  rellcetioiis.  Wo 
allude  to  the  ollicial  statement  oi'  the  Ame- 


iini.ff  lie  (iiuii/ii/iifcil.  To  dream  of  iiiakitiji; 
peai-e  until  we  have  performed  this  essen- 
tial  '/"///   to  ourselves    and   our   posterity. 


dis]ios(Ml  to  the  navy,  won  orvaiii(ui 
its  support.  \ied  with  its  former  ad\iieates, 
nil  1  twilled  them  with  ojipositioii  to  a  na- 
tional safeuuard,  wlii(di  theneid'orward  he- 
fian  advancemeii  never  yet,  however,  com- 
mensurate with  tie  means  and  wants  of  n 

iiii,  of  which  i":  is  the  eliea]iest  deieni'e. ^ 

laval  estahlishment   of  the  I'liiled  |  new  prospects   to  tlieni.     iiitoxiealed  with 

in   actual  servie(>  in  danuary  Isld.  '  deli'j.ht  at  heholdiii'j:  the  I'ritish  lia:';  struck 

was  seven   fri;j'ates,    two    corvettes,    seven    to   the    American,  the   |)cmocratie  (lovern- 

ment   seriously    set  ahout  the  task  which 


nati 


Ptati 


Would  lie  a  folly  too  dejiloraMe  for  common 
re]ir(dieiediin.  It  would  hetray  ii  wilful  ami 
volunta.ry  disre^'ard  to  the  national  safely. 
The  fatal  surrender  of  the  (I  uerriere  opened 


actual  servie(>  in  danuai_ 

,    seven 
ploops  of  war,  two   ldo(d;slii|is,  four  hri^s, 

and  three  schooners,  for  sea,  h(<sides  the  tln>y  had  hid'ore  considered  liopil(>sso.' I'orm- 
several  lake  si|iiailrons,  n;iinlioats,  and  liar-  inji;  a  \avv.  1/  is  jkiuiJ'iiI  In  rijlict  Imw  J'aj- 
hor  liarj.i;es:  three  ships  of  the  line  nui\  If/n ;/  /nirr  prurrtdal  in  f/ir  vinl<-rfiil:iiii/.  It 
three  frigates  on  the  stoidis.  The  whole  is  infinitely  more  painful  to  consider  that 
mimlier  of  men  and  oflieers  em]doyeil  was  j  even  the   e;allant  atfair  of  the  ('liesap(>ake 


—  ...,-.. , ....,..,..,....,  .■ 

tenants,  and  4.")()  midshipmen.     One ,, ., , ^ ,^ 

naval  committee  of  tli(>  House,  Adam  Sey-  sftnulialioir — hereafter,  she  may  hav(>  allies; 
liert,  in  tli(>  alisence  of  the  chairman  of  that  i  AV  us  .v/;'/Ay' while  the  iron  is  hot."  In  a 
committee,  AVilliain  liowndes,  stated  it   as  j  few  days,  it  added,  on  the  llltli  of  duly,  "It 


ISIr.  Lowndes'  opinion  from  invt^sti^ration, 
that  the  American  navy  cost  less,  jier 
month,  than  the  ISritish.  The  tonnairi^  id' 
the  I'liited  States,  reported  that  year,  was 
six  hundred  and  sixty-eiji;ht  thousand,  and 
t]i(^  foreiii'n,  forty-seven  thousand  tons. 

Secretary  .Tones'  report  to  the  Senate, 
22il  I'eliru'ary.  1S14,  stated,  three  74  iiiiu 
nnd  three  44  p:iin  ships  ImildiiiL',  six  new 
ploops  of  war  built,  twenty  har^'es  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  j;iinl)oats  emid 

11  tiie  Atlantie  waters;  ;!;>  vesse 
pize: 


se(Mns  fated  that  the  iirnorance,  iiieapueity, 
and  cowardice  of  the  Americans,  ]iy  land, 
should  he  continually  relieved,  in  point  of 
effect,  on  the  jnildie  mind  hy  thidr  successes 
at  sea.  To  the  list  of  their  ca]itures  vhiih 
ICC  never  -an  penisr,  vifliaiit  the  most  painful 
finntinns,  is  to  he  added  that  of  11.  M!  S. 
I{eindeer.  taken  aftm-  a  short,  hut  most 
iles))erate  action  hy  the  United  States  Sloop 
of  AVar,  AVas)i." 

uiiKii-eo  aim  [weiuy-nve  j;iinhoats  emiiloy-  dames  Kill.ourn.  an  active  memher  from 
od  in  tiie  Atlantie  waters;  ;!;>  vessids  of  all  !  Ohio,  snlnnitted,  the  2."ith  of  daiuiary,  1S14, 

lizes  for  soa,  afloat  or  IjuiMinp;.  and  ol  on  I  a  rosoUUion  for    inquiring  into  the  cxpe- 


00 


AHMV, 


:i.>^i:i. 


^1 


tli''ii.'y  iif  iiicrcii^iii'j;  tiic  i'  iv  of  tlu'  ii;i\  v 
'111  tin-  luuilimi  liik'v,  mul  ull'i  rlii;^  nlhiT 
iiiiliii'i'iiiciil  i  111  priu'iin'  till'  |iiii|pi'r  ni.'nlnr 
(if  )iriiii('r  )i('r,'iiiis  iur  tli;it  iiiili--iicii>itlilf 
H'Tvirc,  III'  wii.*  iiil'iiniii'.l,  he  siiiil,  liv  tlif 
hi'st  uiitlmritv,  tlmt  it  Inul  liccn  very  dilli- 
ciilt  til  iilitiiiii  si'iiiin'ii  lor  tlmt  Mtrxiic ;  t>\v- 
iii;^  to  iiiiiri'  Hii'kncss.  Iiijtln'i"  prifcs  nrdotli- 
iii;;.  mill  iiit'i'i'iiu'ltv  nl' rmiil.  Tin-  ('liiririiiiiii 
tiC  till'  iiiiviil  I'oiiiiiiittrc,  .Mr.  Ijow  iiilc>,  n)i- 
ji'i'ti'il.  nil  till'  iiiitliiiritv.  III'  Niiiil,  III' a  inn^ii 
(illici'i'.  wliii  ii-siii'i'il  liiiii  tiii'i'i'  wa-*  Mil  ililli- 
ciiltv  ill  ,;;i'ltiii;j  si'iuin'ii  I'm'  tin'  liiilicx,  iiiiil 
tiiat  if  lii;ilii  r  )piiy  wi'i'i'  otfcri'il,  it  woiiM 
I'iUlu'i'  iiliinii  tliaii  iiiilui-i>  ihi'iii,  us  iiitiiiiiit- 
iii;:;  that  ^ri'iitiT  iiarilsliipx  wito  to  Im  c.x- 
jii'i.'ti'il.  William  llci'il  statin;;  that  tlic 
Wtii^i's  of  sraiiii'ii  Hot  liciii;;  iixi'il,  iiii;;lit  Im' 
luaili'  whati'vcr  was  lu'ccssary.  ^Mr.  Kil- 
liinirn's  I'l'.xiliitioii  was  rfji't'tcil  I ly  a  large 
iiiajiirity. 

TIk^  army  wliirli,  iliirinj;;  thirty  years  of 
niituii(li,->turlii'il  |ieaeiJ  hail  niniildereil  iiwav. 
was  also  reviving!,  Xu  military  cstaMisli- 
luent  is  so  ditlieiilt  to  maiiitaiii,  so  eostly, 
or  in  H'iU'r  so  ainiareiitly  u^i'less,  as  that 
of  till'  riiit"il  Stall's.  Till'  Uiisr;ian.  wliieh 
is  the  larj;i'-t  staiii|iii;;army  lunler  the  must 
lltisolllte  ;i'iiveriuiii'llt  ill  the  worlil.  is  the 
]t.'.\<t  exjieiisive  ;  that  of  Kii^rlaml,  the  I'reest 
eoiiiitry  of  Eiirii]ie,  -witli  relatively  the 
smallest  army,  is  the  most  i  x|ii'iisi\e  ;  the 
army  of  tliis  still  freer  iniiiitry,  iniieh 
smaller,  still  iiiori'  eostly.  Kiiiilish  a|i|ire- 
Iieiisious  of  staiiiliiiii;  armiis  iu'l'  .Vinerican 
exa;j:;j;eriitloiis.  I!"|iiiliric;ui  |iarsimoiiy  ami 
niistaki'ii  jiip|nilarity  eoiitiiiuaily  ]ireveiiteil 
any  Imt  an  iiisijinilieant  reixular  force,  with 
idle  lioast  of  a  nominal  militia,  which  never 
has  betMi,  ami  till  orjjani/eil  never  can  be, 
relialile.  Tiie  national  ilel'eme  ami  econo- 
my, for  want  of  regular  troops,  have  siif- 
fereil  by  hostilities  thereby  inviteil  ami 
prolonged,  with  |irofnsion  of  exiienses,  re- 
verses, calamities  and  dis;;race.  Diirinij; 
"W  ashiii<i;toirs  administration,  the  stinted 
military  establishnient  of  twelve  hundred 
men  was  unalde  to  nnike  head  a,i;ainst  the 
frontier  Indians,  who  defeated  the  Anii'ri- 
cans  cain|iaifi'n  after  eanniai^n.  l*resident 
Adams'  administration,  with  AViishin^- 
ton's  a|iprobat'!oii,  raised  an  oxtniva^'ant 
force  of  ri'jiular  troojis,  with  (|uestionable 
cause,  rendered  one  of  the  means  of  the 
overthrow  "'f  the  federal  party.  In  the  first 
liloom  of  Ji'tt'erson'.s  experimental  ]iresidon- 
cy.  the  army  was  as  unwisely  reduced  as  it 
bad  been  raised,  from  twelve  thousand  men 
to  one  regiment  of  artillerists  and  two  of  in- 
fantry— under  short-lived  delusion  of  trans- 
atlantic republican  exemiition  from  the  lot  of 
humanity.  For  war,  like  death,  inscrutable, 
is  incvitalde.  Trouliles  soon  ensued  ;  and, 
after  several  years  of  them,  the  defenceless 
republic  was  bloodily  insulted  by  theoutraj;-e 
on  its  Hoatinu;  emblem,  the  frigate  (.'hesiv- 
peake,  iu  her  owu  vvater.'i.   Five  year«  after 


the  army  (and  na\y  ton)  had  been  almost 
disliaiidi'd.  tlii'ir  proidcnlial  exceulor  wai 
eonstraiiicd  to  call  on  ('oll^i•c^s  to  rotore 
the  army  tell  thoii-aiid  >troie.i,  (hi  the  llltli 
April,  ISdS,  an  ait  reealled  llio-e  ili--rharAed 
by  an  act  of  the  ,(lth  .Miireh.  IMIJ.  Five 
ri'ijiiments  of  infaiitrv,  one  of  rilleiiieii,  one 
ofli;;lit  artillery,  ami  om-ol  riy,lit  tlra^foons, 
were  ordered  to  be  raised.  Jellerson's  es- 
say of  unarmed  economy  and  rc]iiie;iianeo 
to  war,  like  all  excesses.  Were  punished  by 
his  expirin;j;  admiiiisiratioii  biinn;  com- 
pelled, at  much  increased  expense,  to  re- 
create what  it  would  liine  been  wiser  ami 
cheaper  not  to  destroy.  I'olitic'til  experi- 
ments, to  be  benelicial,  should  be  conserva- 
tive. Ilecnrreiiee  to  lirst  principles,  the 
saving  virtue  of  i'vct'  iiistiliitioiis,  to  rectify 
coiitinnal  decline,  dill'ers  from  snddeii  inno- 
vations, seldom  permanently  pro;;'ressi\(', 

delVersoii,  with  ten  thousand  recruits,  ex- 
pensively ami  with  dilliciilty  added  to  the 
army.  iiii|ioseil  his  niucli  iimrt!  expensive 
and  ((iiestioiialde  eommereial  restrictions, 
oiilvto  defer  and  ajr'i'ravate  inevitable  war, 
which  he  lel't  to  .Madison,  his  still  more 
pacilic  successor.  The  presidential  essayist 
of  impracticable  traii(|uillity  was.  however, 
a  lover  of  science  ;  and  on  the  untoward  act 
of  ('on;^ress  of  the  Itjtli  March,  lM),'>,  dis- 
bandiiii";  the  army,  enjcrafted  a  scion  of 
military  power  by  the  sei-tioii  aiithoriziii;; 
him  to  or^janize  and  establish  a  corps  of 
eii;ilneers,  to  be  stationed  at  West  I'oint, 
and  constitute  a  militiirv  academy,  subject 
at  all  times  to  do  duty  in  such  places  and 
at  such  times  as  the  I'resiilciit  directs. 
Slow  and  feeble  of  growth,  an  act  of  Con- 
gress of  the  l!',ltli  April,  Islli,  just  precedin;; 
the  declaration  of  war,  enlarged  and  im- 
jiroved  that  excellent  institution;  often 
since  assailed  in  ('ou;;ress  and  by  State 
le;;islation  throu^'h  democratic  jealousy  and 
ijjiiorance,  as  aristocratic,  but  self-sustaineil, 
like  the  navy,  by  its  inestimable  I'outribii- 
tlons  to  the  defence,  ecoiioiiiy,  safety,  and 
;;lorv  of  the  rnited  States.  Its  distinctive 
merits  are,  that  military  education  is  tho- 
roughly taujiiht.and  itsadvanta^ies.  likeother 
reiinbliean  beiielits,  notcontined  to  eii;i'ineers 
or  other  Scientific  corps,  lait  extended  to 
all  arms,  imdndinn;  infantry,  'fliat  school, 
more  advanced,  would  have  saved  the  war 
with  Kn<j;land  much  of  its  disaster  and  ex- 
p(^nse,  as  it  covered  that  of  Mexico  with 
most  of  till!  astonishing'  ;;lory,  which  by 
less  than  two  years  of  victories  assures  tho 
I'nited  States,  if  the  sami^  militarv  spirit  is 
kept  alive,  a  Ion;;;  eareiu"  of  cheap  peaoo 
and  forei<i;n  respect. 

On  the  '2(1  l>ecember,  1811,  Coii:;ress 
ordered  the  ten  thousand  men,  Ibresha- 
dowed  by  till!  act  of  ISOS,  to  be  recruiteil 
and  ofRcered,  donblinj^  the  lionuty  from 
(d^ht  to  sixteen  dollars,  allowini;;  tlireo 
months'  pay  and  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  to  each  soldier  when  honor- 


id  ily  d 
in  sir 
and  le 
jjers  (i 
liir  the 
to  lice 
jirov  i-i 
in  the 
lleceni 
the  re 
(W.T.V.i 

sixteen 

artiiler 
corps  o 

Illeiits 
teen    i-< 
fi'llcibli 
Stales  I 

men  III 
view  to 

to  \M-fl'] 

thoiisai 
be  cliiti 
furnish 
eipiippe 
into  ser 
in;:'  to  ^ 
and  arti 
pay,  rut 
Ijoiiiity 
officers  1 

clothin;'; 

lii'iisatin 
serx  ice  ; 
those  ki 
acres  i,r 
a  nioiitl 
nnisket, 
iiil'aiitry 
pistols  'i 
isl-l.  til 
mitlee 

lii'came 

to   each 
bounty 

or  il_\  in;, 
pare'iits 

soli  jirn 
Such 

difliciilti 
Were  I 
(/ther 
aiithori/' 
or  diirii 
iiient.- 
aniither 
I'e^lliiien 

liefdl'i' 

services 
a  fourth 
into  rejr 
fifty  t hi. 
to  serve 
act  bette 
sonii'  of 
liinteers 
regular 


[isll 


CiiAr.  1I.| 


:\rTMTAnY  acts  of  ro\finr:ss. 


r.i 


(>n  iiliiiiist 

to  roluro 
n  tl..'  I-Jtli 

ri-rll;irA''l 

Mi-J.     V'ww 

Icllli'll,  (illi; 

(lni;j:ii(iiiH, 

1'1>c)U'h    t'S- 
clillJ^llUllfO 

nilslii'il  liy 
liiii;'  cum- 
iisi',  to  I'c- 
wisiT  ainl 
(111  cxiii-ri- 
I'  ciiiiM'rvii- 
I'ipli's,  tlio 
<,  to  rcftify 
ulili-ii  iniiu- 

i;j;r('ssivt', 

'ccniits,  cx- 
Id.'d  to  tin; 
'  cxiii'iisive 

•(■stl•l^■til>ll^^, 

hill  ill'  will', 
still  luiiri' 
liiil  cssiivist 
IS,  hiiwi'ViT, 
iitiiwiu'il  iut 
1,  1.^1  i.l,  ilis- 
a  si-idii  (if 
iuitliiii-i/iii;; 
I  a  t'oi'iis  dl' 
kVi'st  I'dint, 
inv,  suliJiHt 

jlillCl'S   iiiul 

cut  directs, 
net  (if  <'i>ii- 
•  t  preceding; 
jcil  iiiid  iiii- 
tidii ;  (ifti'ii 
id  l.y  Stiito 
(•iiliiusy  mid 
H'-sustaiiu'd, 
lo  cimti'iliii- 
,  sid'ctv,  mill 
«  distiiu'tivo 
iliiiii  is  tlui- 
;cs,  likcdtlicr 

ItiKMl^'ilK-'t'l'S 

cxtciidiMl  to 
That  si'liodl, 
ivfd  tlic  wiir 
lister  mid  ex- 
Mixicd  with 


y,  whicli  liy 
s  assures  llio 
tar\  spirit  is 
flieap  poaoo 

11.  C'(iii.!j;ross 
itu,  i'linslia- 
lie  recniitcil 
111  unity  IVdin 
litwiiit:!;  tlirco 
I'd  mid  sixty 
^Yhon  honor- 


nMv  irMcliiirKed,  nnd  in  riis(»  of  Iiix  death  lar^eij :  ruiircniitaiti*  niiil  twelve  lieiititiunlH 

ill  Vrrviee,  that  pay  mid  land  to  lii"  heirs  authnri/ed  I'nr  the  (idtilhi  ser\  ice :  the  navy 

nnd  le;.'al  ripre'enlalives.     Corps  of  ran-  pay  wiis  tlxed  ;  the  act  of  I7'.''»,  lor  eallliiL; 

>;ers  (iir  tlie  iVniitirrs  mid  of  sea  leiK'Hiles    '•    ■'    ■'         -i'.;      •.    i i.-i 


i'di'th  the  lailitia,  inipnived.  parti,  iilarly  n 
respi'cted  eiiiirts  inaitial:    t\veiil_\ -live   mil- 
ippriipriated  lor  the  iiniiy.  iieur 


lliilis  WrVt 

('i;;hr  iiiilliiiiis  liir  I  lie  navy  : 
til  the  \'.  idiiw  s  mid   vniiii^  i 


•  Idli-  ;;l\'ll 
I'eii  (it   pri- 


f'nr  the  sea  eoin  ts,  tn^ri'tlier  witli  aiiilnirily 

to    liee  'pt    Viilllllteer',    rnlliiWiil,   \\itll    nlher 

Itriivisi  Ills  exteiidiiiii  the  military  I'dree  till. 
n  the  cdurse  of  the  sessimi  whiili  lie;:-mi  in 

l»eeenili(r,  l.*<l:'.,  and  clused  in  .\pril.  Is|  |,  vali-ersmen,  as  well  as  naval  <i'miien.  and 
the  re;,'iilm'  iiriiiy,  li^  law,  nniininted  to  revenue  cutters  cn-i.peratinjj  with  ii.ivy; 
(il.To'.i  men,  with  ei;jlit  niiijor  yieiiernls  and  ,  SllKI  luiiinty  to  jirivateersmen  li  r  eai  h  pii- 
Nixtceti  liriu.nliers  :  ime  reu;iiiieiit  (if  li;iht  ,  soner ;  lialf  a  million  to  luiild  lluafin^j;  Imt- 
nrlillery,  and  one  of  dra;idiins,  an  arliljei-y  terics  ;  SCi'Jii.dlill  to  pay  fur  vessi  Is  hnilt  on 
corps  of  near  six  thousand,  forty-six  re;:!-  laikes  (Intai-in  and  Clnniplain  :  >''l.'"i.'i,0(i'l 
liK'iits  dl'  infantry,  four  of  rilleinen,  sevi  ii-  (wiili  S.'iIMKI  lunre  to  I'irryt  for  the  niptdrs 
teen  cdni|iaiiies  of  i'aii;ii'i's  and  ten  of  sea  of  the  fleet  mi  iaike  lirie :  all  lapliii'i'd  lla'rs 
feiii'iliies.  The  whole  iiiililia  of  the  I'niteil  Were  ordered  to  lie  preserved  and  displayed, 
.^'tatis  then  reported,  anioiinled  to  Tl'.i.  1 1'.» ,  M'itli  these  military  ami  naval  provisions, 
111(11  and  oflicers.  I'reeediiijr  nnd  with  a  i  medals,  thanks  and  three  nidnihs'  cxtrii 
view  to  Avar,  the  President  was  mitliori/ed  '  pay  were  vot-d  to  Perry  and  Mlllot,  tjieir 
to  accept  th(>  services  of  not  exceeiiin;;  fifty  j  petty  oflicers,  semnen,  marines  and  the  iii- 
tliiiiisaml  volunteers,  to  serve  m;;  ycir;  to  j  i'mitry  ser\iii;i;  as  smli  on  Lake  Ki'ie;  and 
lie  cloiiied  liy  tliemsehes,  the  ciniilry  to  swdiils  to  the  relatives  of  iJn  oks,  I, mil', 
furnish  tiieir  own  horses,  luit  mined  and  Clark  and  Claxton,  killed  llier(>;  te  linr- 
pi|nipped  hy  the  rnitc(l  ,'^tatcs  when  called  |  mws  and  .M'Call,  and  the  men  of  the  Kn- 
Lnto  service;  the  officers  appointed  accord-  terprise,  liawreiiee,  mid  the  iion-conimis- 
inji  to  , "state  laws  :  Iiiit  niider  the  same  rules  ,  sinned  officers  of  the  Hornet.  The  war 
mid  arti(  les  as  the  re^Milars.  with  the  sani(>  i  cliar;;es  were  provided  for  hy  a  loan  en- 
pay,  rations,  eniolniiients  and  liira;;e,  excejit  '  acted  for  twenty-live  millions,  ami  flvi> 
lionnty  and  cloihiiiir:  noii-cdinmissidned  niillimis  of  treasury  notes,  with  an  addi- 
(iffici'i's  and  sildiers  allowed  llii>  cost  of  tin.'  tioiial  issue  of  live  millions  to  he  taken  as 
cjothiiij';  of  rei^nhns  of  ilie  same  rank  ;  com-    part  of  tlu^  loan. 


pensatioii  for  (lan\a;';e  to  horses  in  actual 
service:  wounded  men  pensioned:  heirs  of 
those  kille(l  to  have  one  hundred  and  sixty 
lU'res  of  land  :  mi  honor.'iMe  (liscliar;;'e,  after 
fx  month's  s('rvic(\  to  l>e  presented  with  a 
tiuiski't,  or  other  pcrsmial  ('i|nipmeiits  (d' 
infantry  or  artillery,  and  with  his  sahre  and 
pistdls  if  cavalry.  On  liie  piili  January. 
Isl4.  the  chairniaii  nf  the  military  coni- 
Tiiitte(\  .Mr.  TroiMi.  reiinrted  the  Mil  whit  li 


Knormmis  liminticH,  near  three  millimis 
of  dollars  a  year  for  recruits,  fri'i|nent, 
niinierdiis  and  irrepressilile  deserlions.  hun- 
dreds per  annum,  notwithstandinir  cnnl 
nnd  capital  |iiinishnients  to  prevent  Ihcni, 
still  failinj:  to  fill  the  ranks  df  the  army  to 
anytliiiii;  like  the  nnmlier  fixed  I'V  hiw.'and 
reliance  continually  and  terrllily  di-appoint- 
ed  mi  Volunteers,  militia  and  yiai  lin;;-  rei;i!- 
lars,  comliined    to    impress;    rellectiiiir  and 


hecmiie  a  law  the  l!7th  of  that  niontli,  ;;i\  inn  |  experienced  statesmen,  as  well  as  niijit'irv 
to  each  recruit,  enlisted  for  five  years,  a    men,  with  the  truth  of  Washin/vtmi's  jnd;;- 

meiit,  that  the  most  if  not  only  repiilijii'aii. 


bounty  of  81"JI,  and  Slid  if  killed  in  action 
or  dyin;;-  in  service,  to  his  wife,  children  or 
parents,  and  eiirht  dollars  more  to  any  per- 
son prociiriii'j;  an  enlisted  rci'rnit. 

Such  lar^-e  indnceuieiits  to  overconie  the 
ditlieiilties  hinderinji'  an  army  hy  enlistment 
Were  folldwed  dnriii'i  that  sessimi  liy  several 
other  Iielliyicreiit  acts  of  Con;;r('ss ;  due 
authdrizinj;  the  (^nlistni(^iit  inr  live  year.s, 
or  diiriiii;  the  war,  of  the  fourteen  rei!;i- 
nii'iits  hy  prior  act  onliste(l  for  one  year; 
another  anthorizinii;  the  crealimi  of  tlire(> 
re,u:inieiits  of  riflemen  in  addition  to  thi>  one 
hcforf- ;  !i  third  iiroldiiirinn  for  n  year  the 
sorviv'cs  of  the  ten  coin|ianies  of  rangers; 
a  fourth  einpowerin;;;  tli(^  PrivdihMit  to  take 
into  re;;'iilar  stn'vice  as  many,  not  exoeedinji; 
lifty  thousand,  as  he  chose,  who  volunteered 
to  serve  live  years  or  diirip':;  lli 
act  tietter  i 


effectual,  (n'onnniiciil  and  eei'tain  method  (d" 
raisiiiil  armies  and  providing  fi  r  the  ^^eiuM'al 
defcnc(>  of  the  I'nited  States,  is  hy  drafts 
from  the  militia,  classed  and  arraiipd  for 
that  purpose,  as  was  ]iropdsed  liy  tla; 
executive  and  rejected  liy  ('on;;ress  in  the 
last  staji'i^  of  the  war.  One  hundred  and 
twenty-four  dollar  li(aintvas  indncenK  nt  to 
enlist  was  adojited  on  ^Villiam  Lowndes' 
motion,  modilied  at  my  su.irjreslimi,  h^avinu; 
th(_^  pay  as  it  was,  and  jaittinj;  th(>  whole 
hrilie  into  liouiity.  P.y  that  method  five 
years  sorvic(>,  should  war  last  sd  Imifr,  ^vas 
paid  fdr  hy  mi  more  chai'fre  in  houiity  than 
forone.  Cyrus  Kinj;  vidiemoiitly  cond'emiK'd 
such  enormous  s(>duclion  to  farmers'  sons 
and  other  persons   to  enlist   in  a  war  they 


years  or  (Hirin;:;  ide  war:  an  !  disapproved  :  to  which  dames  Visk  rejdicil 
p;ani/.eil  the  army.  con>dlidatina;  '  that  in  \ew  Kn;ilaml  nmch  u'reater  induce- 
some  of  the  rep,inients,  and  authoriziv.;:  vo- '  meiits  weri>  o'iven  to  preveiit  than  to  on- 
liinteers  to  he  p-omoted  in  the  lin(>  of  the  courage  enlistments;  and  that  if  secret  ar- 
rogular  army.     The  marim;  corjis  was  on-  i  ehives  could  he   made  public,  ho  hud  no 


■•■M 


1  ^1 


■M, 


I 


62  AI5MV  MIIASIUIKS.  [lHl;5. 

_  . « — . 

dmihl   till'  iiilliiciu'c  (.1'  Uritisli   j^uM  WDiild     Ihiliirc    lA'     Hull's     iiivasimi     ol'    ('.maihi, 


f 


iijiiu'.ir  iiiiioii'j;  llii'  iiicaiis  ri'sin'tci!  tn,  tn 
]iri'\c'iis  raniirr:*'  t-wiis  I'lMiii  f-nsiii;:;  llu'ir 
I'i'im;  r\   cii  anil  i. 


wliirii  Irli  with  Icniliii'  liinc  dii  liu' 
aiiiiiiiii.slraliiiii,  many  (■xtraiiriliiiai'v  inca- 
Mircs  were   niiilcni|ilat('il   li_\    il    tn  ri'coNci' 


I'liili- tiiii'iiiN  lor  dill' vcar  [iroM'.l  a  scridus  |iiiMii'  iduliili'acc  and  iini^dialr  lidslll 
irnicliMiirc  to  tlidsd  I'dT  li\i'  dT  (liiriii::;  (lie  j  lirs.  Aiiidii;;'  llld^id  il  was  |)rd|idsc<|  thai 
uar:  I'l'w  ai'ls  nl' ('dii;;n's,-.  \\d;c  ludii'  iicccs- .  Mdiii'dC  slidniil  In'  ta-daii'd  ('diiiaiaiidcr-iii- 
s^arv  liiaii  liial,  Mi!ai;i'.^idd  li_v  a  uidlidii  dl' ,  cliirl',  and  I'i'ailidi-n  icNidi'id  td  ihc  \\  ;ir  !';'- 
,Mr.  l,,i\viid.'s,  for  rc-i'iilisliiin-  (In-  _\darlin^;>  ,  |iai'lini'n(,  w  liiii' •Idll'ci-.sdii  slidiild  iiiidcrlakc 
I'dT  li\''  _vi':irs.  Till'  jiaurilv  dl'  rillciiicn  '  llid  l>d|iartnii'nl  dl'Sialc;  iir  (hal  liiislii 
Sddii  ;i]i|ii'.iri'il ;  ('la.  Aia>'rii'au  iiuciitidn  dl',s!iduld  Ik'  Iraiisrcrrcd  iVuni  tin'  War  (d  (in: 
ill,'  rd\  dluiidii,  \.  ir  li  l'.urd|ii'  lias  aild|it('d,  I  Stall'  l>i'|iartuiriit.  'I'lii'  intimacv  iK'twci'ii 
and    in    lliis   cdiinlrv  wlii'ic  nearly  all   arc    •li'll'i'rsdii,  .Madisi.ii,  and  jMimrdi-  was  ;-iiidi, 


till'  dcvdlidii  dl'  carli  In  (hi' 
siuci'ss  111'  lilt!  dlhcr's  adiiiinistralidii,  that 
aliiidsl.  any  sacriiii'd  ini^lit  he  t'A|it'i-tril 
df  cillicr  to  the  dllurs.  I  am  nut,  av.an; 
whi'thcr  •)(  il't'vsdii  was  apjii'I/.i'd  id'  the  idra 
dl'  rci'alliiiLi;  him  lor  a  };r('at  ('nn'r;;i'iuy  td 
iiiuli'itakc  till'   l>i'|iaitnu'iit-  id'  Slate  uiith'r 


jjiiu  nun,  is  an  I'XielK'iit  arm.  ilxcliidiiiij;  ami  siii 
miudrs  I'idin  cnlistmi'iits  was  amilluT  error. 
Ydiith  Irdiu  I'ijdili'i'ii  years  upwards  is  the 
hest  liasis  df  armies.  In  \iiii  the  reeruit- 
iiiij;  dllirers  ('(implaiiied,  lii'l  they  call  fur 
recruit:-  Id  ser\e  li\i'  years  when  iilhers  cmihl 
enlist  I'dr  diie,  and  wlicii   a   Iarj.','c  jidilidii  id' 

tlicir  nid>l  Iraclahlc  rcciaiits  were  iidl  al- [  Madisdii,  w  Im  had  served  .IcH'crsun,  when 
lowed  as  mliiiirs  to  enlist.  The  natidus  ol'|  President,  as  his  seerelary.  lint  1  know 
lvaro|ie  were  twenty  years  IrainiiiL;  their  I  that  siieh  arrani^ements  were  cdiisidered  in 
ai'inii's  Id  he  able  tn  re.-ist  the  Kreneh  vete- i  Oi'tuher,  ISIl',  liy  .Mdiirne,  in  wluise  ealm, 
r.ir.s  :  yei  an  Ameriean  soldier,  w  ithoiit  any  |  steady  iiidi;nieiil,  and  ^real  e\|ieriem'i',  hotli 
Vduili'i'iil  sersiee,  wa>  td  he  made  at  once  !  JeH'ersdii  and  Madison  had  the  ntiiid.t  eon- 
I'rom  an  adult.  !>uriii^;  •laniiary,  lS|  1,  the  '  lidenee,  ami  w  hn.-e  inlimaey  with  liiem  in- 
jirmv  hills  elicited  I'.ie  \vlidK'  lire  df  eon-  uhiees  the  Iieliel'  that  they  were  mtide  ae- 
{rovei'viul  (liseu^^^idll  in  the  Caiiildl.  I'm- '  i|ualnled  with  Sd  ini|idrtaiit  a  snu\:.';estidn 
traded  ilt'hales.  all  the  Kieties  dl' d|i)id.s;iidn,  ill  whieil  they  wei-e  Sd  nilleh  iMlieerned, 
previous  (|iie--iii.ii,  ail  !  i're(|ueni  eiauniiiiees  .Mr.  .'Mnrfree  was  liiile  id'  a  mere  partisan, 
dl'  ediil'ereiiee  {■<  reeou.  ile  ilisa^reiinenls  |  and  il  is  nut  pridiahle  that  his  niolidii  fur 
lietweeii   the  iw  o  Houses,  were  resurled  1. 1.    a     lieittenaiil-;ieneral     rei;arded     .Moiii'de's 

The  war  and  adiainisiralioii  were  daily  uresideney.  Armslronn,  the  Secretary  ol' 
tdjiies,  aiiil  t'.ie  iii^iiiuily  dl'  hdth  cdiillicl-  \\'ar,  disliked  hy  Aldiirne,  and  the  adlier- 
im;-  p.ii'iie^  i':iercised  tn  ass.uilt  nr  del'end  I'lit  -  id'  .Madison,  al  that  mdiiieiit,  iinolved 
liu'in.  The  t'ederalisis  who  spoke  nearly  all  in  mmdi  ol'  the  disei'cdit  id'  the  raihiieol' 
declared  a  detcnniualioii  to  put  an  end  to  tlu'  [  dur  arms  in  tin'  mirth,  was  alsd  meiitidiicd 
■w.ir.  I'dldiiel  Tallmidj;!',  df  Cdiincctieiil,  a  J  as  the  presidential  sncccssor  id'  ^Madison: 
cavalry  olliecrof  the  lievolution,  aiulCharles  and  prohaldy  (he  \orlh  Carolina  memlier 
(,!dldslKirdiii;;li.  of  .^lal•_\  l.md,  were  the  only  preferred  the  \iij;iiiia  tn  (he  New  Viirk 
fcdcralisis  who  said  they  would  support  caiididr.te.  Hut  there  was  no  rcasun  liir  as- 
war  eon'-iltution.ally  dcv dared,  thdiiuh  they  cvihiiij;-  to  any  smdi  motive  the  resdiution 
iiiiii'ai  d.eiii  itscaiu-cs  iusuirkiciuandjusilcc  I  lie  moved  lor  a  lieutenant-<iem'ral,  wliiidi, 
ili>pnlahi.'.  ;  however,  was  laid  on  tlm  table,  and  never 

On  the  liili  Jamiavy,  ISl  I,  after  tlu'  Pre-  called  up  for  coiisideration. 
sideiu's  auiidiinceiiu'iit  id'  the  i'.iilure  ol'  ^«e.\l  day,  a  resolution  of  ^Ir.  Cinisvenor. 
lin--si:',ii  medi.ition,  a  .North  (."arcdina  ad-  proposed  ii'nuiry  why  so  many  otlicer.-- 
miuistraiidn,  and  respectalde  memlier.  Wil-  \\ero  ahseiit  from  the  northern  army, 
liam  11.  Murfree,  introdueeil.  hy  a  sensiole  "where,"  h(>  se.id,  '•(here  were  scarce 
speech,  a  re-idlutidii  to  impiire  into  the  c.\-  I'lioiij^h  to  perform  tin'  commdii  camp 
jiedieiuy  of  empowerluj;  the  President  to  duties,  as  the  National  Inlellii^cncer  also 
i'.ppoint  a  lietilcnanl-jicneral  to  I'diumaml  intimated.''  Not  only  administration,  but 
the  armies  of  the  Inited  States.  '•The  last  opjinsitidn  presses  were  censuridus  of  \\'il- 
campai::;!!.  by  the  f.iilure  of  our  arms,  had  kinsnii  and  jVrmstrdnij; ;  whose  task  was 
disappointed  all."  he  said  ;  "audlher  was  at  extremely  hard,  to  render  commaiidin;;; 
hand,  aii.l  iidthin^;  done  td  i'ii>ure  more  oilicers  unselfish,  subdrdiiialcs  dbedient, 
sueces.s,  for  which  a  eontrolliiii;  hand  was  tran><form  recruits  into  veterans,  and  out  of 
iiulispensabl'."  luivcruor  M'riirht  con-  chaos  brinu;  urder.  'i'he  best  military  au- 
temled  that  dur  arms  had  ndt  failed;  ainl  tlinrities  teach,  that  md  only  are  old  .siildier.s 
Jdiuitlum  I'isk.  that  if  they  had.  it  was  indispensable  to  reliable  arniie.-,  but  that, 
more  for  want  of  sdldier.s  enoiii;-li  than  id",  like  seamen,  the  idder  the  better,  till  a,;;-e 
fiodd  commanders.  Monroe  then  be^au  to  bi'irlns  to  impair  stien;;th.  Ki;;hty  years 
be  thought  of  as  Jladi.-on'.s  siicce.^^or  in  of  discomlitures  have  nut  cdnvinced  this 
the  jrresideucy,  to  which  and  the  lien-  cdiintry  that  militia  are  neai'ly  useless,  ami 
tenaiit-,:^eiieralshi]i  he  aspired,  A\"lii'n  tli''  Sdlumeers  um'I'uI  didy  fur  certain  purposes, 
lirst  rcvcr.^e^j   t^iok  place  by  tlio  sLockiii^j,' ,  who  have    voIls  cUvUijli  to   outweigh  tho 


^ 


CUAI'.  If.l 


TIIEASURY  ItKI'OIlT, 


03 


more  lliiin  tliric"  (oM  ('X|i('ii;-i!  uinl  Mniid- 
slii'il,  (liscist!  anil  wi'i'lclicdiii  .-s,  nl'  llicir 
(■iM[)l(i\  ini'iit ;  iiml  it,  is  |iviil);ililc  lli:il  in 
Ann  Tii'ii  llii'v  will    iilwiivs  Im^   iii'i'lrni'd  (o 

(li,s(i|ill 1    Mililii'i-y.     Till'    hill    (o  fill    tlid 

i:inl<s  li\  i'X(irliit;inl  Imnnlii's,  |)i-o\ci|  .sunn? 
rrlirriVoni  llir  (I'Min  nrdi'la^s  iiml  rcvcrsrs, 
nKM'tiliratioii  Mini  ^l:ni;;;lilrr;-i,  wliii-li  troil  (in 
each  (.tiler's  lieels  (Inrin;^  llie  llrst  nearly 
UV(i  years  nt'  niiiilary  aliorlidii,  lor  wliieii 
the  ;ni\crnineiil,  was  mil  nnire  In  Maine  than 
the  inslitnliiins  nl"  the  luiilcl  Slates.  War 
ineiilfale(l  that  Cainida  (miuIiI  unl  he  cdn- 
(jin'red  hy  enlisted  tr(j(i|is.  Sti'(in;;-er  iiiliii- 
enee  was  indis|iensal)le  than  mere  ]iecnniar_y 
tenijitaliiin.  Si.xly-tiiree  lh(nisaiid  regular 
fr()ii|is  \(ite(l,  and  six  tlmiisaiid  ollleins, 
lar;;id_y  paid,  iwarly  all  uiih  lln;  addilldnal 
e.\traya;;anc(!  nl'  iiaper  ineney,  many  nl' 
llieni  alisent,  others  unlit  I'.ir  duly,  ediisli- 
luled  (iiir  army.  At  m>  linn^  did  enlistment 
hrin;;  thirty,  il'  twenty,  thniisand  men  inld 
the  held.  "  hral'ls,  as  in  the  iieydlnlidii, 
Avhat  was  slii;mali/ed  and  dd'ealed  as 
Fremdi  ednseriiilion,  hej;an  Id  Iks  reLi;ar(le(| 
hy  military  and  statesnn'U  as  tin;  (dieajiest, 
iinisl   reiiuliliean,  and  (inly  eneeli\('  I'di-ee. 

The  llduse  hill,  Inr  cdiix ci  till!;'  three  in- 
fantry into  rille  reijiinenls,  was  amended  in 
Senate  hy  three  adililinnal  rille  rejiimenls, 
hayini^'  tin?  inlaiitry  as  ticd'ore,  in  Ayhich 
shaiie  W(^  iiasseil  i(,  hy  parly  ynles,  Xit  to  07, 
liut  net  withont  a  Inn;;-  sitting;;  dl'  si  \('r(! 
contest,  the  Mh  I'rhiuaiy,  ISl  I.  When  at- 
taekcd  hy  .Air.  Shell'ey.'.Mr.  Wehster,  Mr. 
(irdsyenii'r,  and  .Mr.  T'ailniad^-e,  it  was  de- 
I'ended  hy  .Mr.  'iT'iiiip,  Mr.  Ildhertson,  .Mr. 
(ihdlscn,  .Mr.  Calhdnn,  and  dames  Fisk. 
Jn  that  diseussion,  Ilohertsdn  sininded  tii<^ 
iilarm  nl'  l-duisiana  invaded.  "  N\  hy  siiall 
Hdt  I'.iiiiTish  Iriidps  111!  now  transported 
to  the  Initial  States?  Th(>  dccan  is  IVim^  to 
lier  ships,  and  she  has  no  use  in  llurope  for 
th(!  immensd  I'orco  and  (^xpendituri!  herelo- 
i'or(!  empioyecl  ttu-ro."  A\'itli  which  antiei- 
jiatidiis,  realized  sd  soon,  eann>  the  severest 
trials,  greatest  triiunplis,  and  liouoralih! 
peace. 

The  Treasury  Heport,  jiresented  the  lutli 
•)aunav\,  ISIT,  >itated  the  receijits  lor  the 
iis(!al  year  endin;.!;  ISDth  Septeniher,  ISl:'),  at 
tliirty-s('yen  milliouH  ami  a  hall',  whieii, 
Ayitli  the  halauce  in  Inind  at  tlio  he^^innin;^: 
dl"  tliatyear,  made  near  forty  millions  :  tin; 
year's  |iaynienls  had  heen  not  (|uite  thirty- 
three  miilidiis;  the  exp('nditnres  I'lir  Isit 
■were  I'stimated  at  moi'e  than  Toi'ty  millions, 
of  Avhicli  near  thirty  \yei'(!  jiroiidsed  to  he 
raised  hy  hian.  At  tlio  ht^^inninj;;  of  the 
war  the  tinani-ial  plan  was,  to  make  the  re- 
vi'uuo  e(iMal  to  tin;  pcaco  estiihlishmont, 
ahcut  seyen  millions;  interest  of  tho  old 
di'ht,  ahowt  two  millions,  and  of  tli(>  new 
one,  estimated  ahout  three,  to^tether  aliout 
jiye  millions  more;  Kiakin;;'  a  total  of  ahont 
t\y(d\e  millions,  anil  then  to  borrow  the 
auwuut  yfull  thy  c-Atni  Mur  cxpoiises.    Tlio 


sum  (h'lVayil   in  Isl.'i,  hy  loans,  was  al.i.iiL 

l\\  ('111  y-I'diii'  millidiis.     The  army    e-liniah; 

was   ahdiil,  t '.■.(•nls-live   millions  li.r   iMller 

mure  than   sixly-lhrce  thunsand  men:  and 

(he  na\y  estimate  ndt  ipiih^  seven    millidJH 

for    nearly    sixteen    ihdusand    'canieii   and 

ollicers,  ijni]   ahoni,    nineteen    hnndi!  d    in:;- 

rines.      .\hoiit    t\venly-lhr( c   millidn-,   were 

added     to     the    pllhlir     (h  lit    ill     ll'l.'!.      'file 

'  \y'    lie    i-eceipis     fur      fT  I,     frdlll     impn^ls, 

]  taxes,  and   la;i(N,  wer(!   cslinniled   at  alioiit 

ten  inillidiis.      'I'd  that  timid  cxiiihit  of  liie 

nidne_\,  wliiidi    is   the    main  sinew   of  war, 

the  aclin;;'  Secridary  added  a  I'aint  inlima- 

tion,   whelher    it   mi;iht    not    he  expeilieiit 

and  prudent  to  proviile  n<.'W  reyeiiiH^s  to  lh(! 

very  small   and    lotally  iiiMilfnient  ane  iint 

:  vvli!<di  he  indicated.      I'Ik^  la-t  Idiui  in   hd.'!, 

seven    millii'iis    and    a    hall',  cii.~t    thii  tein 

ddllars  and  nearly  Ihirty-twn  einls  preiiiiniii 

;  for  every  hniidrcil  doliars.     'fhe  taxc'S  vm  .'e 

I  iidt   to   he   ojieriiliye    llll    I'll,   when    ihelr 

[avails   were   mit  e.^limaled   hi  exceed  thni! 

niillidiis   and   a   hall',  and    their  actual   ri> 

■  ccijils  proved  much  less. 

<.)n  the'.tth  I'ehrnaiy,  iSII,  the  (diaiiiiinn 
I  (d'  the  ways  jiml   means,  .John  W .  Jlppo, 
j  jiresented  his  Idiiii  hud;i;et  In  the  house,  with 
a  hill  to  h"  lilleil   hy  a  loan   lor  Ivvent  y-livo 
millidiis,  and  treasury  notes  for  liy(^  miilidiis 
nmre  ;  sd  ihat  (if  the  f(iiiy-liv('  niillinns  es- 
I  timaled  as   tin;  year's  char;;'es,  lliiily  were 
'  td  h(!   laiscil   hy  loans  at  I'niiioiis  disi  (Hint, 
!  and  well   nijih  unsiijiporled  hy  taxalion  on 
any  suh.--taiitial  ha-is;  a  paper  nnniey  ex- 
periment alnidst  as  certain  of  lallnrf;  a>  ihe 
tMintineiital  money  of  the  iievohitii/ii.   'ihat 
deploralile  catastrophe,  .Mr.  I]ppes,wiid  was 
nut  eijual  td  the  exi;j;enci(.'S  (if  the  crisis,  hut 
shrunk  fi'din   must  of  its    Iryiii^r  demands, 
a  linn  and  Wdrthy  man,  unlitl^'d  hy  pdlitical 
thi'dries  and  scruples  for  the  ;;reat  i'eipiir(;- 
mcnts  of  V.     ',  attempted  to  jialliate  hy  the 
calculation,   iiat  in  peacf;  tlietiountry  would 
he,  as  it  had  heen,  able  to  jiay  olf  any  debt 
contracted  (luriii;i;  Avar;  ■which   he  ar;;iieil 
'  IVoiii  the  fact  of  .Madison's  adminisiration 
!  Iiavinj!;   paid    tvventy-tliru(j    millions   and  ii 

■  half  (if  debt  ill  live  years,  while  ixirniwiiij.; 
lahdut  I'orty-fdur  millions  and  a  hall',  so 
[  that  the  halanc(;  id'  (hdit  uiniaid  was  Ic'ss 
:  than   twiMity-one   millions,  incurred  hy  the 

'  war.  Withdehisiye  paiie;iyric  on  the  credit 

of  tli(^  <!;iiyeriiment,  always   faithful  to   its 

enj^ae-ements,    and    yisionary   statistics   of 

till!    wealth    of    tlu^    country,    Jlr.    J'ippcs 

laumdied  a  loan  liill  hir;icr  than  any  betoro 

prdpdsed,  wliiidi,  bcfdrt'<-'dnp;ress  iiii;t  a;^ain 

j  111  September  that  year,  proyed  an  abdrtiun 

as  disgraceful  and  detrimental  as   tin-  dis- 

I  (■(imlitun.'  of  (uir  armies.    J5oih  tlu"  linaiicial 

j  and  tlio  military  ahdrtions  wore  salutary,  if 

'  iiiit  pniyideiitial,  tliiiii;;li  s(!vere  and  liiiicr, 

I  lessons  of  republican  imprdvidence  and  de- 

I  lusidii.    (hi  the  l2istli  .March,  lf<14,  the  new  ly 

;  ajipointeil  Secretary  cif  the  Trea-ury,  (ieo. 

jW.  Ciuiipbcirfi  uuiiwer,   tluit  yiliyer'.'j  first 


C4 


I      ' 

Irr 

;  J 


DEBATE  ON  THE  LOAN  BILL. 

— ♦— 


[1813. 


ofTiciul  appf^avanro,  to  an  iiKniii'v  of  the  digost  of  doliato  ■will  sufllico.  Tlio  fedoral- 
ciiiiimittoe  of  ■ways  and  moans,  rondorcd  ists  declared  tlio  nation  I'uincd  liy  eomnicr- 
nintti'rs  \vors(<  than  they  Avcro  Ix'foro,  |  eial  rostrii-tions  and  war,  tla^  oxjicnscs  of 
liy  liis  opinion,  that  iho  internal  resourees  whieli  wmild  exceed  a  lmndr(>d  millions  of 
\V(>nld  lie  inin-e  ])ViMliictive  than  the  actinji;  di)lliirs,  in  the  eominif  year.  Tli(>  army  Avas 
Seri'i'tary  .Jones  supposed,  liy  his  rejuirt  not  to  lie  employed  to  defend  the  eonntry, 
of  -lanuary;  so  that,  as  Mr.  (,'ampliell  lait  I'lir  foreign  eonijnest,  nut  a  foot  of  which 
stated,  for  covcrin.L!;  the  delicit  (4'  ei^ht  had  lieen  etfected,  after  two  cam])ai,L:;ns  liy 
hnndred  thousand  dollars,  then  acknow-  an  administration  that  had  proved  itself 
!(>dni<  1,  it  was  not  necessary  to  provide  ad- '.  incompetent   to   carry  on  any   war.     'i'lio 


ditional  revenues.  Tims  the  new  secretary,  ■ 
and  only  secretary  .since  Mr.  (iallatin,  alian- 
doned  the  Trea-nrv.  eoni)ileted  its  dis- ' 
credit  liy  snliscriliint;;  to  the  )iernicious  de- 
lusion, tliat  the  war  would  n^t  last,  and 
lliar  if  it  shoidil,  still  liaseh'ss  loans,  with- 
(Uit  taxes,  or  with  such  slight  hasis  as  to  he 


navy,  which  alone  had  saved  the  country, 
had  always  heen  op)iose(i  hy  tli(>  democrats. 
The  army,  su<dt  as  it  was,  instead  of  con- 
'•entrated,  was  seattered,  iiud  dissolveil  hy 
idle  invasions.  Th"  democravsiinswered  that 
not  the  mode,  hut  fhe  inotiveofthe  war,  cha- 
ract(>ri/.e(l  it  as  dei"ensive:  that  L-'renidi  in- 
fluence had  been   the   federal  crv,  till  our 


iieaily  so,  niijiht  lie  relied  on  for  its  funds. 

Kppes'  apology  for  neirlcctini;  the  indis-  failures  made  Canadian  con((ii(>st  the  com- 
]ii'nsalile  hut  di'eadi'd  duty  of  callina;  forth  jilaint.  AVould  it  not  b(>  od'ensivo  war,  to 
the  resources  of  the  country  by  taxation.  I  withdraAV  the  troojis  from  Canada,  and  j^o 
j'rom  whi(di  it  never  sl'irnnk,  opened  three  j  forth  on  the  ocean  to  con(pi(>r  and  ravajj^o? 
weeks  Saturualian  discussion  on  tli(>  l^oan  i  The  invasion  of  Canada  is  the  best  security 
IJill,  whiMi  nearly  (Very  nuiidn'r  disposed  to  j  for  the  whole  country  from  hostile  attacks, 
speak,  embrai-in;;'  in  this  country  a. 
jrreater  number  than  in  any  other  of 

orators,  by  the  method  of  cimversation  with  :  to  concentrate  his  disposable  ti'oo])s  in  Ca- 
constituents  about  themselves,  explain  and    nada,  where  the  first   bU)w  of  the   revolu- 


muidi  j  The  const  cities  and  jdaces  would   all  bo 
lluent  i  assaulted,  if  we  did  not  compcd  the  enemy 


vindicate  public  afl'aii's.  and  strive  to  recom- 
mend the  ]>i'opl(''s  servants  to  tie  ir  arbitrary 
)u:isters.  'i'imothy  Pitkin,  it  substantial  and 
sensible  New  Knii'lander,  painstakin;j;  and 
exact  in  his  jiositioi's.  decorously  main- 
tained, succeeded  3Ir.   Kp]ies.  (»xpos(>d  his 


tionary  war  was  struck,  and  wliicli  it  cost 
Knjrlaud  many  camjiaiji'iis  to  wrest  i'rom 
{•'ranee  :  and  we,  like  otlnn"  ]ieo]il(\  cannot 
learn  the  science  of  war.  but  by  ex])eiienco. 
Many  vessfds  of  war  had  been  added  to  the 
navv,    ami    all    was    doini?   that   could    bo 


objects,  not  worth   their   cost  if  attairn'd, 
and  sure  to  entitil  enormous  debt  with  oni>- 


Da 


IK 


1  SI 


leltev 


rous  taxes  on  the  ]ie 
followed  him  with  still  jireatcr  rclincments 
of  arithnn^tic.  The  loan  lie  ]ironouiiced  un- 
precedented in  national  extrava,i2;ance, 
yond   the    ]iiissibility 


errors  and  denied  his  cahailations,  averrinji ,  to  cMicounter  the  British  at  sesi.     licdiieed 
that    the  war  was  wa^-ed  Ibr  unattainable  j  to  essential  qualities,  that  insit;niticant  sub- 
stance may  be  said  to  have  been  the  whole 
argument  on    whiidi  Conirress  dw(dt,  divid- 
eil,  enlaru'ed,  and  anjii-iiy  disputed  ibr  three 

weeks. 

With  ]irovincial  anticpiatcd  pronuncia- 
tion, sdiolastic  diction,  sarcastic  \i>ix}c, 
yet  friH'  from  p(,'rsoiiality,  a  c<ild  manner, 


if    accomplishment. 


yet  insufficient  to  ]iay  all  that  was  wanting;,  I  profound  reverence  for  the  most    English 
as  th(^  ]U'ior  year's  expenses  far  exceeded,  i  ])rinciples    of  American    institutions,    ami 

saturnine  apiirehcnsion  of  Freucdi  inlluenco 
to  which  he  ascriiied  .lelfcrson  ami  Madi- 
son's politics,  and  the  war,  by  )iowerl'iil 
spcei  lies,  Mr.  \V(disti>r  then  commenced 
his  eminent  career,  more  eminently  forensi(; 
than  parliamentary,  and  niiudi  more  ora- 
torical than  statesmanlike.  He  opposed 
the  war  because  dcidared  rashly,  and  con- 
but  ofrciisivcly, 
it  should  be  de- 


he   insisted,    what    government   confess(>d. 

and  tlie  army  for  ]sl4  would  co^t  fifty  iii- 

steail  of  twenty-live  millions.   Both  of  those 

crentlemen    contended    ainainst    a    country. 

whose  )ieoplo  and    r(^soui'ces   have  always 

disaiuiointed    the    alarmine;  }ire(licti<ins  of 

opposition,  and  accomplished   the  ends  of 

timid  i^overnment  b(\vond  its  de^icrts.     J'it- 

kin  and  Shelfey's  eniinnas  of  finance  were  ;  iliicted    not   only    feelily, 

more  falsilied  than  I'lpiies'  theories;  and  the  '  when,  if  ventui'iMl  at   all 


country  came  forth  siifo   in    spite   of  both    fensive.     ft  was  not  (>non;rh   that   .uoverii- 
piirlies.  inent  could  make  out  cause  id' war  on  paper, 

Historical  record  or  sketch  of  the  short-  and  <;'et  the  better  ofEn^land  in  av!xumen(. 
lived  speculations  of  that  twenty  days'  ile- 1  \Var  is  a  fiiicstion  not  only  of  rijiht,  but  of 
bate,  would  not  inf  u'ln  the  reader,  since  i  jirudenc(>  and  exiiediiMicy.  I'tterly  aston- 
events  have  deprixed  those  ephemeral  con-  islied  at  the  decdaration  of  war  he  was  snr- 
troversies  of  nearly  all  their  interest.  Of  prised  at  nolhine-since;  hesnw  how  it  would 
orders  in  council  never  to  be  repeated,  and  :  be  prose(aiteil  when  he  <uw  how  it  was  lie- 
impressment  for  whi<di  th.it  war  would  now  |  <run.  Jn  the  nature  of  thiiiirs  tln.'ie  is  :iii 
iristantan(iously  Ii;i:lit  up  another  for  a  sin;xle  uuidnniLreable  relation  between  rash  coun- 
instiinco  of  tin;  six  thousand  then  in  vain  sels  ami  feeble  ex(>cntion.  Its  failures  wero 
complained    of,    till    resisted,    very    brief  ;  ascribed  by  its  advocates  to  tiioiropjioiienta 


4 


where 
Tliey  d. 
conipic!- 
are  kin 
lilood. 
tle.H,  liei 
the  Tim 
against 
5 


;hap, 


II.] 


'I 


WEBSTER. 


65' 


distracting;  tho  country;  l:»ut  tliat  was  an  j"I  honor,"  nniil  Mr.  Wclistor,  "  tlii  yov,- 
oltl  Enr^li.sli  ministerial  (also  position  at- j  plo  that  sliiink  from  such  Wiirlhvo,  v.  iiii  li 
t'lnptiMl  h_y  North  wlicn  ho  lost  America,  ;  nivno  Imt  cannilials  conM  enjoy.  'I'lie  |iri>- 
(locrving  the  imjiertinent  liohliiess  of  Chut-  j  jile  of  Canada  iire  all  atiuinst  yonr  war  on 
ham"  tlio  idle  declamation  of  l-'ox,  and  tho  ;  their  troverrinient,  and  so  are  the  yeoman'y 
iinanswi^nilile  sarcasm  of  lliirri".  1  of  the  Xnrtliern  States,  whom  neitlier  [n'r- 

hisclaiminji;  relxdliousor  unconstitntion-  i  suasion  nor  threat  will  enlist,  l^ast  _\e,M-  a 
nl  o))i)osition,  Mr.  Wohstor  demanded  tni-  liounty  of  sixteen  (hdlars,  increased  tliis 
cl.  neo  that  tl)(!  ]mr[ios(!  of  {rovernment  was  :  year  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  d.d- 
del.  .>ive,  hefoi-e  he  voted  for  olfensivo  war:  lars,  tells  the  enemy  and  the  world,  to! U 
(iii|)osition  to  v.'hich  was  not  only  constitu-  o\ery  hody  hut  tlie  government  'Iiat  war 
tional  and  lej^al,  hut  ecmseientious.  The  |  for  con.|i\est  of  raiia'ia  is  im)ira(;ti('al)le, 
entertainmeni  wo  wore  promised  hy  those  '■  Th(>  jNorthern  states  sihme  arme(l  or  un- 
who  declared  it,  lias  not  JK^'ii  realized;  no  ■  armed,  would  overrun  Citiiaila  in  thirty 
harvest  of  j^lory  and  j:;rcatnoss,  as  ])re(licled.  days,  if  so  iiudined.  As  curly  as  1745  they 
Men  actiufi;  from  conscientiiais  o|))position  raised  riOtlil  nicn  and  took  Jiouishupi;  i'roni 
to  war,  eauscdessly  undertaken,  wliiidi  has  '  ilu>  FrfMudi.  With  u(le((\uitr-  motive  jMassa- 
reduc(Ml  the  country  from  ahortive  olfensive  j  cliiisetts  could  now  fniiiish  lorty  thousand 
to  fulih^  defen>iive  iiostilities,  are  not  to  he  men.  'I'wo  Caiiadiini  c;im]ia!iriis  have  fijl- 
aweil  liy  any  dai'.u'er.  'J'hey  know  the  limit  !  ed,  svnd  tn)  ■where'  had  you  as  many  as  5000 
of  constitutional  opjiosition.  Uji  to  that  ^  )neii  to.i^ether.  Wheiever  attacki^d,  the 
limit,  at  tla'ir  own  discretion,  they  will  j  American  people  h;iv(Hlel'ende<l  themselves; 
walk  feai'lcssly,     Jl'they  tind  in  tin*  history  j  hut  whenever  ilcf"nee  ceases  and  inv.ision 


of  thidr  country  a  precedent  for  <;oinj;  over, 
ho  hoped  they  would  not  fellow  it.  They 
were  nitt  of  a  school  in  whiidi  insurrection 
is  tauf;ht  as  a  virtue.  They  will  not  seek 
promotion  throu;;h  tiio  paths  (d'  sedition, 
nor  ((inilif;v  themselves  to  serve  their  couvi- 
try  in  a;  ''  the  \\\'j:}i  departments  el'  -ro- 
vernmoi  ;  <■  'ikinj;  ndiollion  the  first  (di- 
nient  o'  '<■  ''■:■ 
of  itnn 


lietjins,  th(\v  stop  Tln\v  tlo  not  (diooso  to 
pass  the  lin!>,  win,  !i,  without  serious  (;i)sta- 
cle,  risf^s  like  a  Chinoso  wall  aijainst  tln^ir 
sentiments.  AVliat,  then,  shouhl  ho  donn? 
Withdraw  your  iuvadinj;;  armies,  a!)aiidon 
commercial  rest  ri.i  ions:  a  oil  emharf^qo  anni- 
hilating; traile  liy  eidor  of  power  to  refi;ulato 


it.      'J"he  constitution    spruni;;   from    coni- 

political  scienc(!.      freedom  |  morce,  for  whi(di  war  is  wa<;ed  hy  tliose  who 

1..  a  Imme-lired  ri^ht,  a  iiie^,ide    never  lusird  tho  suri:;es  of  tho  sea,  nor  have 


))rivile;j:e.  wjiich  hath  ever  he(>n  enjoyed  in  ,vny  idea  of  a  ship  until  they  coiim  from  ho- 
ovory  house,  eottaii'o,  and  cahin  (d'  ilu!  na-'\ond  their  western  hills  to  protect  tho  ma- 
tiou,  iuiii  not  to  he  drawn  into  eontroversv  :' ritime   riiihts   of  those   who    remonstrated 


in  private,  a  riiiht;  in  ituhlic  life,  a  duty. 
Aiminji atall  ♦imes  to  he  temfierati'andconr- 
ti'OMs  in  its  ex<M'cise,  except  when  tiie  rijiht 
shall  Ih!  denied,  he  should  then  carry  it 
to  its  extent,  placif  himsi'lf  oti  the  cxti'cme 


aiiainst  it,  with  eij:;ht-tenths  of  tho  seann'n 
of  the  country;  war  for  marilimo  iie;hts 
thus  forced  on  those  alone  interested  in 
them.  In  the  emnmerco  of  tho  country 
the  constitution  had  its  hirth.     In  its  on- 


licamdary  (d'  his  riiiht.  and  Idd  ihdianco  to  j  tincti(in  it  will  tind  its  >:;rave.  1'he  faith  of 
any  arm  that  woul<l  remove  him  from  his  !  the  ntilion  is  pledired  to  its  eonimtnce.  I 
frround.  'f hat  hiu;h  constitutional  priviieir(>  j  conjui'e  and  entn^it  you,"  said  Mr.  Weli- 
h(!   would   (>xercise  within  this   House  .iml  '  ster,   "to  reiieem  it ;  and   without  mi^naco 


without,  in  all  fdaces  and  times,  ill^^aran<l 
in  peac(\  and  livinjr  or  dyin;;,  ass(Mt  it. 

It  was  the  war  its(dl'.  its  unwise  declara- 
tion, contrary  to  puldie  iontinient,  and  con- 
duet,  since  also  contrary  io  it,  that  rendered 
it  weak.  The  peopi(>  do  not  desire  to  ai- 
(|uire  more  territory,  or  waLre  war  with  tln^ 
s;iva'j:es  of  the  interioi'  for  ma'  Mine  ri^' ns, 
for  sailors'   riy-hts  with  tho  trih";-  of    the 


forewarn  you  of  conseipieni'os,  nnn^ss  yiui 
alter  your  eovirso.  Hadly  as  1  think  of  tho 
orii;'inal  grounds  and  conduct  of  tho  war,  T 
will  aid  in  nwasures  of  did'eneo  and  prot(a:- 
tion  to  jiroenre  just  and  honoiahlo  pciace. 
(live  up  futih>  ]iroi(H'ts  of  invasion.  Ibi- 
elasp  the  inni  jjrasp  of  emliari:;o.  Let  it 
not  he  said  that  not  oim  ship  <d' force,  huilt 
situ!(>  the  war,  floats  on  th(>  ocean.     Turn 


Prophet.  Th(\  nominal  majority  for  war  I  tho  current  of  your  ettorts  int(j  that  (dumiud 
he  attrilmted  to  parly  ('(diesion  ;  tlie  lore'' I  worn  deep  and  hroad  to  receive  it.  A  naval 
ol'opjiositiim  to  it  to  the  |>re\aleni'e  oi'  pul,-  ,  [\,rM'  competent  to  ihs'^end  your  coast,  con- 
lie  s(>ntimeiit  ajiainst  it.  .\nd  parly  sup-  voy  your  trade,  and  [)erhaps  raise  the  hhxik- 
port  is  insuflicient  for  war  in  tliis  ccai  itry,  tide  of  your  rivrs  is  no  (diimi'ra.  If  war 
where  the  people  must  he  emhodicsd  for  it.  j  ;nust  continue,  p)  to  the  ocean  ;  if  contond- 
Tliey  do  not  f(>(d  a,deipuite  moti\e  for  the  |  injr  for  tnaritinu'  rijrhts,  ;i;o  t(»  the  thoatrt! 
conipu'st  of  (!atKida.  The  horderinjr  peo])!e  j  where  thi'y  can  he  defended.  'J'lioro  tho 
are  kindred,  loath  to  shed  (Nudi  others"  >  iiMired  wishes  and  efforts  of  the  nation  will 
hlood.  In  some  of  tho  afl'airs  we  call  Irit-'  to  with  you.  Our  party  divisions,  aerimo- 
tle.s,  hecauso  wo  liav(i  notliin<;;  (dso  to  jriv.  j  nious  as  they  ar(>,  cease  at  the  water's  ed^n  ; 
tho  nnnio  to,  hrolhor  has  Imhmi  armed  hint  in  utta(dnnent  to  national  character 
against   brotlior,   aud   father  agaii'  t  wu.  |  ou   lIi  -.t  clomciit  where  that  charuulcr  in 


.i)i 
m 

H' 


M 


66 


FORSYTIT. 

— ^— 


[1814. 


It'll' 


ii. 


■'*<:  S. 


^f: 


i' 


t* 


I; 


ig  « 


ma<lo  rosppctal)lo.  In  protoctin";  naval  in- 
torosts  l>y  naval  moans,  ynu  will  arm  your- 
8(;lv('s  with  tlio  wholo  power  of  iiationai  si'n- 
tiin(Mit,  and  niavooinnianil  thowiiolo  a'xnid- 
ancc  of  national  rosoiirccs  ;  in  tinio  enable 
yonrselv(>8  to  roilress  injuries  when  oftered, 
and  if  pi-od  he,  aeconipany  your  own  flaj; 
throuf'jliout  the  world  witli  the  protection 
o'^yi  iir  own  cannon." 

i^  t  fiivorahlo  was  the  effect  of  Mr,  Wob- 
Btoi  's  speech  on  the  war  party,  that  it  was 
Buj:  posed  ho  had    resolvtMl    ti>   sup|>(irl   it, 


to  forty  more  of  the  latter  than  the  former, 
some  few  unavoidably  took  seats  amonj; 
the  party  they  voted  ajjainst,  anion;:;  whom 
was  Jlr.  Forsyth.  Not,  lon^  before  he 
united  with  the  federalists,  on  Mr.  Clay's 
retirenuMit,  to  elect  Mr.  Cheves  his  succes- 
sor as  Speaker,  inst(>ad  of  the  special  war 
and  administration  candidate,  FelixGrundy. 
During  all  thefir.st,  and  nearly  three  months 
of  the  second  session,  Forsyth  sat  mute,  or 
nearly  so,  taking  no  prominent  part  on  the 
Hooi.     When,  therefore,  after  such  lapse  of 


provided  its  operations  were  bestowed  at  |.res(>rve  as  led  to  impressions  of,  at  any  rate, 
sea  instead  of  on  Canada.  Among  the  last  Kiratorical  insignificance,  and  doubts  of  party 
published  editions  of  his  speeches,  that  j  er.irety,  rising  in  the  midst  of  his  fedei'ul 
itiri-t,  produced  t)bviously  with  his  own  '  neighbors,  he  fulminated  gracefully  and 
rc>  ision,  together  with  his  other  sp(>eches  |  defyingly,  a  war  harangue,  the  surprise  of 
of  that  j)eriod,  does  not  appear ;  tlviugh  the  ;  all  pai  ties,  delight  of  his  own,  and  disap- 
Hciitinients,  terms,  and  force  of  thi-  tirst,  !  pointniciif.  of  their  opponents,  were  mani- 
coitainly  do  no  discredit  to  the  greater  i  fested  at  his  unsparing  denunciations, 
oel 'brity  ac((\iired  by  those  of  later  date.  !  Inirsting  like  a  boml)  on  the  House.  AV'ith 
Without  denial  of  the  justii  e  and  adei^uate  I  a  hanilso.'ne  face,  charming  voice,  grace- 
cat  ses  of  war,  his  argument  struck  at  its  |  ful  action,  and  ready  elocution,  from  hia 
visdom  and  expiM'iency  ;  and  clof(uentiy  youth  at  college  always  distinguished  as 
promised  to  support  it  if  direct(>d  from  a  sp.caker,  without  premeditation  or  labor, 
connuest  in  Canada  to  defence  at  sea.  i'cw  memliors  of  Congress  cominandeil 
Mr.  Calhoun,  and  others,  charged  the  fe-  niore  attention.  Like  nniny  captivating 
derail -is  with   unpatriotic  refusal  of  sup- i  public   speakers,  Mr.  Forsyth  was  one  of 

filies.     But,  though  they  voted  against  the    whom  no  perftH't  idea  can  be  formed  with- 
oans  a'd  arniv,  the  taxes  and  most  other  tint  listening  to  and  feeling  the  intluenco 


moiViis  01  arrving  on  Iiostilities.  ihore  was 
nothing  in  sueh  a  speech  as  Mr.  Webster's, 
of  which  i  give  but  a  faint  outline,  ob- 
noxious to  the  charge  of  refusing  supplies, 
or  opposing  tin;  war  without  reason. 

On  the  auspicious  22d  of  February,  1814, 
John  Forsyth  surprised  the   House  of  Ke- 


of  his  voice,  manner,  and  address,  his  many 
physical  advantages,  without  any  salient 
peculiarity.  Mr.  (Jrosvenor  and.  Air.  Han- 
son, particularly,  had  spoken  with  fierce 
freeiliiiu.  "  'I'he  opposition,"  said  the  Na- 
fii)nal  Intelligencer,  "  had  been  allowed  to 
emit  their  most  poisonous  venom,  aiid  it  was 


prescntatives  by  his  first  elaborate  sj)eech,  ;  proper  the  antidote  should  be  applied,  as  it 
from  the  pedestal  of  whicli  he  ro-%-  to  be- j  was,  in  a  spirit  and  tone  which  the  language 
come,  during  many  years  service  in  both  j 
Houses  of  Congress,  a  conspicuous,  attract- 
ive, and  effective  i)ublic  speaker;  forinidablt> ! 
by   the  power  of  oratory   unpiemeditated,  j 
pungent,    not    aggressive,    "hut   retorting;! 
■which  recommendeil  him  to  President  Mon- , 
roe   for  Minist<>r  to  Sjiain,  not  his  fittest ; 

place,  and  to  l*resid(Mits  Jackson  and  \'an  |  [jike  the  spark,  it  may  be  adde<l,  it  d.izzled 
JJuren  as  their  Secretary  of  State,  in  which  i  and  went  out.     The  (piestions  of  thut  con- 
dopartmont  he  was  honourable  and  resp(»ct- ;  test  were,   indeed,  many  of  them,  so  tem- 
able,  though,  as  elsewhere,  indolent.    I  was  i 
in  the  Supreme  Court,  which  (|Uorunis  of  j 
both  Houses  then  often  freijuented  to  hear  i 


)f  habitual  defiance  not  only  justified  bu 
rei(uired.  Without  disrespect  to  others,  wo 
may  be  allowed  particularly  to  commend 
th(!  ai)le,  pi,trit>tic,  and  spirited  speech  of 
Mr.  Forsyth,  (^Aliibitijig  the  fire  of  genius, 
which,  like  the  fire  of  the  Hint,  severe  col- 
lision can  only  awaken  from   its  repose." 


the  commanding  disputations  of  Pinkney 
and  Dexter  on  constitutional  and  jirize 
law,  Avhen  a  member  of  the  House,  John 
<}.  Jackson,  informed  nu,'  that  .'orsyth  was 
making  an  extraordinary  s])eech  at  the 
other  side'  of  the  capitol.  'I'lie  representa- 
tive hall  was  then  arranged  as  now,  after 


porary,  that  adige.>t  or  repetition  of  them 
would  be  without  much  of  their  actual  ex- 
cit(>ment.  And  few  discourses  have  left 
less  of  their  immediate  impressions  than 
John  Forsyth's,  who  became  what  Thomas 
<  irosvenor  then  was,  the  r(>adiest  impromptu 
debat<>r  of  his  time.  "  I  wish  it  understood," 
said  he,  "  that  my  object  is  not  to  defend 
the  government,  but  to  show  that   the  op- 

In   Mi 


position  to  it  is  inifefensible.  In  Mr.  (ias- 
undergoing,  since,  several  experimental  |  ton's  correct  and  polished  language,  what 
transpositions  in  fruitless  endeavors  to  1  means  his  dark  intimation  that  ncjw  tho 
overconie  its  incurable  acoustic  miscontriv-i  majority  can  speak  freely  of  the  Emperor 
ancc.  The  Speaker's  chair  was  then,  as  j  (d' the  French?"  Avening  that  no  one  de- 
now,  south,  and  the  two  parties  sat  as  at :  nied  there  was  just  cause  of  war,  Mr.  For- 
present,  the  Federalists  on  his  left,  Iik<^  the:  syth  extensively  repelled  tho  charge,  that  it 
Whigs  now,  the  Republicans,  or  Democrats,  I  wasproduceil  by  French  subornation  against 
ou  hie  right.  But,  as  there  were  from  thirty  :  Knyland,  "  miscalletl  the  bulwark  of  our 


;hap, 


II.] 


CALIIOUX. 


67 


rolijjion,  whoso  (itrocitips  disprove  that  New  I  plies,  l)COi\U!=e  the  war  is  unjust,  will  not 


Enjjland  ascriptii)n 


Vftor  exti'usivo  ro- ;  that  reason  justify  further  rosistanee  ?     If 


view  of  the  causes  of  thi'  eoiitest,  and  its  |  tlu;  |iledjj;eil  jmlilie  faith 
continuance,  of  wiiich  subsequent  events 
make  irksonn*  the  repelition,  Mr.  Forsyth, 
addressing  Mr.  Webster's  assertion  of  the 
freedom  of  opposition,  said  "  that  throats 
of  iihysi(^al  stronj^th  were  not  constitutional 
ohjoctions.  The  direct  tendiMicy  of  the 
conduct  of  a  portion  of  the  Le;2;islature  of 
Massaclu'setts  loads  to  separation  of  the 
Union.  Inllammatorv  resolutions,  violent 
complaints  of  injustice,  stimulate  puldie 
prejudice,  and  prej)arc  for  more  decided 
stops,  whiiii.  he  mentioned,  not  from  fear," 
said  Mr.  Forsyth,  "  but  to  express  my  pro- 
found conteinp;  for  their  iinpot(>nt  madness, 


ddijj;ation,  is 
the  ("onstiuuion  any  more?  ]Iow  far  a 
minority  in  war  may  justly  <i;o  in  opposi- 
tion, is  a  question  of  tlie  ;iroatest  delicacy. 
iVniuni:;  oursidves  we  may  divide  ;  but  in  re- 
lation to  other  poopl(>,  wo  ouj^lu  to  be  onu 
nation,  (iloveriiment  can,  indeed,  command 
the  hand  and  arm,  but  th(>y  are  powerless 
without  tiie  people's  heart.  Union  and 
zeal,  more  than  numbers,  are  the  elements 
of  power.  Whenever  attachment  to  party 
is  stronger  than  to  country,  faction  takes 
phiee.  'J'he  war,  Mr.  Calhoun  said,  had 
done  niurh  in  liberatinj];  this  country  fr(ini 
dread  of  British  power,  prevalent  Ijoforo  it 


Fear  and  inter;-st  hindc.-  t\w  factious  spirits  i  was  declared.  If  we  have  done  little  against 


from  oxoeutiii;^  their  w'shes.  If  a  leader 
should  bo  foil  ail  bad  and  liold  enough  to 
try,  one  consolation  for  virtu(!  is  left,  that 
those  who  raise  the  tempest  will  be  the  first 
victims  of  its  fury." 

When  del)ate  on  the  io.vn  bill  had 
consumed  more  than  two  weeks  in  daily 
speeches,  J'r.  ('alhoun  said,  the  oljjeetions 


Kngland,  she  has  done  less  against  ns. 
liobollion,  civil  war,  conHagratod  towns, 
prostrated  credit  predicted,  have  not  been 
realized.  English  ""ower,  till  we  defied  it, 
was  too  great  for  ou.  complete  independ- 
ence. With  the  independence  of  thought 
and  action  wo  have  acquin  d  military 
knowlediio.     Ccuineeted  Avith  this  I  rejoice, 


were  all  roducibhi  to  two  ;  first,  that  the  !  said  ho,  to  beh(dd  the  amazing  growth  of 
loan  cannot  bo  had  ;  secondly,  that  the  war  '  our  manufacturing  interests,  which  will 
is  inexpedient:    both  of  whi(di  he  denied    more  than  indemnify  the  country  for  all  its 


extensively.  Of  mr.i  impressed,  we  esti 
mate  six  thousand  ;  the  British  confess  six- 
teen hundred.  Under  pretext  of  taking  her 
own  seamen,  Groat  IJritain  converts  the 
commerce  and  navigation  of  the  world  into 
a  .lursery  of  seamen  for  the  British  Navy. 
After  reviewing  that  question,  he  proceethjd 
to  the  commercial  causes  of  war.  The  ma- 
gic charge  of  French  influence,  l)y  whi(di 
England  spell-bound  the  world,  incduding 
this  country,  had  lost  its  charm  by  English 
triumphs.  All  Europe  must  unite  with  us 
to  prevent  the  ocean's  becoming  English 
property ;  since  we  have  broken  the  trident 
of  British  naval  invincibility.  Without  re- 
sistance even  unto  war,  and  supposing  our 
oppi,  i^nts  in  power,  American  eonimeree 
must  have  ;  oen  destroyed  by  English  ille- 
galities. The  jiiomentary  ineonvenienco  to 
Massachusetts  will  be  repaired  ))y  the  great- 
est share  of  commercial  prosperity  with 
peace.  Whether  war  is  offensive  or  defen- 
sive, depends  on  its  cause ;  and  so  con- 
sidered, ours  is  defensive  war.  Supplies  in 
whatever  sha])e,  are  opposed  bj-  those  who 
are  bold  in  facing  bankruptcy,  refusing  a 
loan  which  would  be  to  shock  private  as 
well  as  public  credit.  All  the  analogies  of 
irivato  life  teach,  that  when  war  is  lawfullv 


loss(>s.  No  country,  however  great  and 
\ariant  its  staples,  can  acquire  a  state  (jf 
great  and  permanent  wealth,  without  the 
aid  of  manufactories.  Keason  and  expe- 
rience both  support  the  position.  Our  in- 
ternal strength  and  means  of  del(>nce  are 
greatly  increased  by  them.  War,  when 
forced  on  us  liereafter,  will  find  us  with 
amjiler  means  ;  and  will  not  be  productive 
of  that  distressing  vicissitude  whi(di  fol- 
lows it,  where  the  indust'-y  of  the  country 
is  founded  on  commerce  and  agricultuio 
dependent  on  a  foreign  market.  Even  our 
commerce  in  the  end  will  partake  of  the 
benefits.  Rich  moans  of  exchange  with  all 
the  world  will  be  furnished  to  it,  and  the 
country  will  be  in  a  much  better  condition 
to  extend  to  it  efficient  protection. 

It  is  impossil)lo  to  condense  without  in- 
justice to  them,  and  irksomeness  to  the 
readers  ')f  this  sketch,  more  of  the  many 
volumiiK  us  speeches  of  those  three  weeks' 
debate,  when  the  war  underwent  that 
merely  temporary  and  mostly  party  discus- 
sion, of  which  events  soon  superseded  the 
interest.  Brief  outlines  of  those  of  tlie 
three  young  statesmen,  then  rising  to  dis- 
tinction, are  ofi'ored  as  profiles  of  their 
promise.     William   (laston,    Alfred    Cuth- 


begun,  party  should  not  oppose,  though  it  i  liort,  -John  (i.  Jackson,  John  McLean,  Wil- 
may  disapprove  it,  which  would  bo  like  a  liam  Lowndes,  Timothy  Pickering,  Morris 
son  taking  -iido  against  his  father,  if  disap-  Millei,  Samuel  Sherwood,  John  Alexander, 
proving  his  conduct.  The  justice  of  the  .John  Ilhea,  Thomas  Orosvenor,  Joseph 
war  was  acknowledged  by  tlie  votes  of  Mr.    Pearson,  Boiling  Robertson,  Robt.  Wright, 


Quincy,  Mr.  Emott  and  other  leading  feder- 
alists in  the  House,  when  the  preliminary 
stjps  were  taken.  What  are  to  be  the  limits 
o)  opposition  now?     If  they  withhold  sup- 


Alexander  Hanson,  I  and  others  entered  the 
lists,  during  the  three  weeks  that  the  con- 
troversy lasted.  Atlength,  on  theSd  March, 
I8I4,  late  in  the  day,  when  Mr.  Orosvenor 


-  77  .o 


r 


68 


EMBARGO  REPEALED. 


[1814. 


^M 


a 


was  called  to  order  liy  tlio  Spoakor  All- wiml  j  llio  CDiiimittco  of  ttio  whole.  A  national 
he  (lecnu'd  an  ()fVl'n'^ive  ('xi)ros>iun.  lici'im'  i  lnuik  liiul  llicii  li!'!::iin  lo  lie  niucli  talked 
lie  eonlil  .u,et  tlic  ll:iiir  !i;j;.rni,  e\ 'ulcctlv  lor  a  ;  ul';  riitlier  tliiin  "  liirli,  as  the  lininices  were 
liinj;  sjieeeli,  Jiinatlrin  l''i  >k  sii!r|il!iiit<Ml  liiiii  i  e\er_v  (l:iy  dcerniiii;;',  (Jeiirriil  I'eslia  huuicli- 
liy  the  iire\  i'liis  ((uestien,  and  (he  iiill  was  '  cd  (ine  ol'tlmse  n  ihl  selieiiu'H  nl'iiain'i'  nieiicy, 
ordered  to  he  eiiiiros-jed  f'lr  thi  1  read-  i  wliiidi  are  ainmst  the;  iiniversui  resdvt  and 
in;;.  Next  day,  im  the  jiassau;(!  of  mat  hill,  ;  f'reiiuent  iHU'ilitiun  of  ^overunie)its  in  snidi 
Rieimrd  .Stanit'ord, -'anies  I'isk  and  lloiier  j  criiseH.  'I  hat  re.suhition  was  tu  inijuiio  int 
N(ds(in.  vesmne(l  th(!  dehale,  and  llic  hill, 
uniin|i,)i'tant  as  to  any  principle  involvei\ 
except  tliose  enL^vaf'ted  on  a  mere  loan, 
passijd  t'le  House  hy  ninety-seven  ayes, 
strict  war-i)arty  votes,  to  lil'ty-live  nays,  the 
whole  pres(>nt  opposition.   "  'L"h(>  (pnsstion,'' 


to 
the  expediency  of  emitting  not  exceeding 
lil'teen  niiliions  ol"  trei'si.''y  notes,  in  snins 
from  ten  dolhirs  to  a  th  msand,  licarin^-  six 
per  cent,   interest,  payahle  (pnu'terly,  and 
red(>einahle    in   five   years;    with    taxes   on 
watches,  ;i'()ld   seals,  phite,  Ijoots  ami    iino 
said  the  Int<diifi'enc(>r  of  the  n(\\t  inornini:,  j  liatM,  to  pay   the  interest.     Felix   (Jrundy 
"  wonld  prohahly  not  hav(!  hi'cn  takc^n  last    (lcclar(-cl  his  preference  for  a  liank;  Alex- 
niy;ht,  as  we  know  several  ^enthnnen  in-    ander  Midxini  said  h(^  found  it  necessary, 


ti^nded  tospeak,  hut  for  the  o-reat  sensation 
created  in  the  House  hy  tlie  tempi'r  of  Mr. 
(irosvenor's  speech,     .\fter  wliidi,  liy  a  ma- 


wiien  his  hnsini'ss  w;is  small,  to  he  exceed- 
iiijily  cautious  in  si;>;niii;i'  promissory  notes, 
and  (hat   iiovernm"nt  siionhl    never    issue 


jority  of  forty,  the  I[onse  determined  to  |  mites  without  providiTitj;  adcipuitc!  tax('s  for 
close  a  scem>,  in  whicli  unlimited  indui;;- |  their  rcdem]ition  ;  Mr.  Iliipes  ohjected  to 
eniH!  and  liherality  on  the  part  of  the  nni- 1  jiajier  moiu'V.  or  more  treasury  notes  than 
jority  Invd  t^xtorted  from  their  ojipomnits  i  ah'eadya\ithori/ed;  William  JJarnettwarm- 
iiothinii;  hut  invective  and  ]iersonalily  :"  j  ly  advocated  any  money  or  taxes  that  would 
censure,  heavier  than  tim  ol'ence;  for  most 
of  the  opposition  speeches  were  not  more 
vi(dent  or  disorderly  tli.in  i']nj;lish  jiarlia- 
inentary  lieensc'. 

On  the  Oth  .\pril,  ISII,  a  I'ill  was  re- 
ported l)y  Mr.  Kppes,  from  a  sele(!t  c^om- 
luitteo,  fixing;  the  ine(!tin2;  of  the  next  ses- 
sion of  Con.f^ross  the  third  Monday  of 
(Kitcdier.  inasmuch  as  tin*  war  nii;ihL  con- 
tinue. h(>  said,  and  then  the  taxes  must  he 
put  in  operation,  which  passi'd  afterwards, 
■jixini;    the    last    Monday    of    Octolxu'    as 


carry  on  tluMvar;  (leneral  neshapronounccd 
treasury  notes  no  worse  jiaper  money  than 
hank  nol(!S,  whieli  Willis  Alston  reallirmcd  ; 
h'lt  doiiathan  Fisk  declare<l  that  the  mere 
reference  of  such  a  proposition  would  spread 
alarm  at  tin?  prosp(!ct  (d'siadi  a  mass  of  pa- 
pier money  to  lie  thrown  into  circulation  ; 
and  Desha's  sclieme  was  rejected  hy  one 
hundred  and  eij^lit  votes  to  thirty-seven, 
hut  all  the  minorit}'  of  tin;  war  party.  Tho 
shall  iws  he^^'an  to  east  thi'inselves  hn-ward 
of  a   financial   failure?   and    initional  hank. 


the  day  :  and  Mr.  In;::hanrs  resohiti'ai  was  !  As  soon  as  w(>  had  done  with  hesha's  all'air, 
adojited  al'ter  siaiie  opposition,  dircntinir  the  |  eonsiderition  of  (Jrnndy's  motitui  to  ajipoint 


Secretary  of  the  Treasu''y  to  report  at  the 
next  se-islon  a  fieinn-al  lariil'  of  duties  ;  Mr. 
Lowndes  (ihjt'ctliijj;  to  Alexander  .McKiiu's 
amendment,  v>hich  was  i-ejected,  to  extend 
the  sjiecific  duties  as  far  as  praclicahle. 
doe  of  the  \,\<t  movements  of  the  last  hour 


a  seliH^t  commitlet^  for  a  hank  was  resumed, 
and  Newton's  motion  for  its  indelinite  jiost- 
|)onenient  came  within  nine  votes  of  suc- 
ceeilin^,  71  to  80;  mixe.'d  v((tes,  hut  th(>  war 
party  mostly  atiirmativc! ;  my  imjiression 
'leini;  tliiit  it  was  (juite  too  near  the  day 


of  the  session,  was  a  motion  hy  Morris  ;  lixeil  for  (dosinji'  the  session  to  take  up  so 
Milhn*,  for  a  s(dect  committee  to  sit  diiriiiji'  j  momentous  n  to|iie. 

till!  recess,  with  power  to  send  for  [lersoiis  :  The  shackles  of  that  hard  servitude  to 
and  jiapers.  to  ini)uiie  into  the  causes  of  |  (piestioiialde  law,  imh'linite  commercial  ro- 
the  failnreof  cair.'irms  on  the  Xorthern  and  !  strtiint,  were  nev(!r  heu'iic  with  )>atie:-.;;v';. 
North-western  frontiers ;  for  which  twenty- I  Whiles  the  war  party  in  New  Kn^hind 
nine  nn'mhers  voted,  mostly  lederalists;  |  niaintaiiMsd,  and  tlirou;j,hont  tin;  rest  (d'  tho 
with  them.  Mncon,  IJradley  and  Stanford,  i  I'nion  aiiplauded  it,  not  only  the  Kastiirn 
wlio  (Sfinford)  ]irofe-sed  to  h(!  of  the*  dr- '  peoplti  and  tln^ir  representatives  in  tJon- 
niocralic  party,  'fhe  action  of  any  <!om- i  ^rress,  hut  otlusrs  continually  remmistrated 
mittfie  id'  the  Iliaise  of  i\epr(?s(Mita(ives,  I  it;;ainst  and  comhattcid  commm-cial  restric- 
wiien  C.in,u;ress  is  not  in  .session,  is  an  ir-  tion.  (t;i  the  l(kh  of  .January,  1(S14, 
re,!j;ularity.  |  Christophcsr  Gore  moved  in  the  Senate  to 

On  tiie  4th  of  .\]iril,  Mr.  ("alhoun.  from  [suspend  tho  emhar;!;o  as  to  eoastinj;  trade, 
llie  committee  (d'  for(>it;n  affairs,  reported  a    which  was  refusecl  hy  iJ.'i  votes  to   i(>:  on 


h'.il  to  repeal  th"  emlii.!-i^<p  a  nJ  m  n-impoi't- 
ation  acts,  and  another  iiill  to  prdiihit  the 
(■xportation  (d'  pihl  and  siive  •  .roins  and 
liuilion.  Afl(!r  some  coiiversat,  m,  in  whiedi 
M(>ssr^'.  ('allionn,  InL'Iiam,  Wehstcsr,  Macon 
ami  Pitkin  took  part,  autl  r''iectinj^  sevea-al 
luotlouH  on  the  subject,  it  was  rui'uiTcd  to 


the  lid  of  March,  LS14,  Ihd.ert  uM-ht, 
a  v(dieinent  adherent  (d"  administration, 
projio-,ed  in  the  House  of  Kepresentativea 
to  susp(!nd  it  during  nei^otiatioiis  for  |>eaee, 
for  whi(di  lui  fjot  (io  votes  to  (18;  on  the  14th 
of  March,  1814,  William  (laston  move^d  to 
repeal    tiie    embargo   and   uon-lutereouvtio 


Chap.  II-l 


RESTRICTIVE  SYSTEM. 


acts,  ro)Pct(Ml  1iv  Rrt  vnton  to  .',-< ;  on  tho  17th  j 
of  Miiivli.  isll,  Mr.  Wodd  ],ruiioso(l  to  o\- j 
cliiili'  tifliinir,  Hrc-wodil  iiml  liini-  ('(nistcrs.  : 
bound  fVoni  Stiitc  to  Shit''.  ii(>;;!itivcil  liV  S(l' 
to  Cp.i:    on  tlic    '1M\  of   Miiirii,   l.sl4, '.Mr.  [ 
AVi'listor  cai'i'it'il  ii  side 't     •immiitti'i',  wlio  ; 
ri'iiortcd.  oil  till'  2stli  i..'  >iari  li,  [luvs  unit 
to  a  potitidii  from  tlic  iidiuhitiiiitK  of  I'orts- 
inoiitli,  to  inqKirt  liiiio  from   'I'liomastnwn 
and  Caiiidon.     'I'lii'so  rcstlosst    movements, 
if  not  all   honest,  were    nevertliidess    indi- 
cative of  irre|)r(vsil)le  1 il  disi|iiiets.  , 

On  the  (Itli  (d'  April,   l.sld.  on  Mr.  Cal-i 
hoiin's  moti(m.  tin!  linuse  went  into  eom- 1 
inittee  of  the  whole,  James  IMe'isants  heinir 
called  to  the  idiair,  on  t!ie  hill  ■■     rejieal  the  | 
pmliai'ji'o.     The  M'ar,  .Mr.  Caliioiin  said,  was  , 
for  fre(>  trade  and    sailors'  rij;lits.  a<j;ainst  | 
tho  British  maritime  p(diey  to  destroy  our 
free  trade  and  seamen's  rights.     Toeour-i 
teraet  her  assan'ts  on  neutral  eomnierce,  it  j 
■was  onr  jiolicv  to  cultivati!  the  i;(iud  will  i.f  i 
conimereial    nations.     The  restrictive  was  | 
a  jiacilic!  and  tenii»)rar_v  ]iolie\',  and  in  hisi 
O]iinion,  should  le,rc>  ended  with  our  war. 
But  now  that  neady  all  K.iropo  is  open  to 
our  oonnnoree,  there  '-'lould  lie  no  embargo. 
Ojiening   (n;r    ]>ii'.ts    to    tho    maritime    na- 
tions, would  lend   tliem  to   make   eommon 
cause  with   us,  who  wouht   be  irritated  by  \ 
Enjilish    pajier    bloidvades    stoiijiini;'    their  j 
trade  with  the  I'liited  States,     i'evsistanee  j 
no\\'  in  the  restrietivo  system  would  lie  in-  I 
coiisistinit  with  the  reason  id'  its  estaldish-' 
ment.     As  to  the  mannfactuv'";-  interest,  j 
the  vote  on   Mr.  Tniihanr.v  .esidiition  was  a 
strong  jdeilge  that   the    ilouso  would    not  j 
suffer  that  to  lie  unprotected;  at  all  times  j 
and.  under  every  jiojicy  he  hoped  it  would 
1)1'  )irote(ted.     Mr.  Webster  rejoiced  to  read  | 
the  funeral  obsequies  id"  the  restrictive  sys- j 
torn,  about  to  be  consiM-ned  to  tlio    toml). ' 
Like  faitli,  it  had  been  .adhered  to  without ; 
reason,  and  its  character  would  ne\'r  be 
known    till    abandoned.     It   was    expi,-in;i;; 
wi'.li  iteneral  execration.     The  country  had  ; 
never  been  told  till  now  that  it  was  depend-' 
cnt    on    Kuropean    politics.     It    had    lieen: 
calleii  an   American  system.     15nt  as  soon  | 
as    I'rench    predominaiu'e    has    cea.«ed,    it; 
falls   with    it.     Its  eoineiilenee,(   were    o)i-| 
vions  with  the  French  continental  system. ' 
It  was  no^^'  (ionfessed  to  iiave  been  a  system  j 
of  eo-iiperatiou  \vitli  France.      It  was  a  great  j 
erroi'  t.  render  the  jiolitics  of  this  country  ' 
dejiendent  on   thii<('   of    i'lurojie.     Xothiui'! 
is  nxire  i)ijurions  to  a  conunercial  country  I 
thi>n  frerpient  changes  of  systeni.    jVs  to  the  j 
restrictive  system  promoting  infant  mann-' 
faetnrns,  the  administration  would  sacrifice 
them  if  need  ))0,  with  as   little  remorse  as 
the  mereli!ints.     lie  was  an  enemy  to  rear- 
ing juauufactures  in  hot-))eds.    ThoM'  com- 
patible  with    the    interest    of  the  country 
shindd  be  fostered,  but  he  never  M'ished   to 
see  a  Hhettield  or  Birmingham  in  this  conn- 
try,  tho  true  spirit  of  wiioso  constitution 


did  not  empower  government  to  change  tho 
habits  of  M  hole  sei'tions  of  the  eoi',nti-y,  but 
to  jirotect  all  in  the  pursuit  of  their  own 
avocations. 

'i'liose  two  rising  statesmen  took  their 
first  stands  both  agaiii>t  Avliat  linally  be- 
came the  declared  doctiine  of  their  public 
lives,  each  more  consistent  in  (diange  than 
by  adhering  to  original  jiositions. 

Alexander  McKim.  an  intelligent  Balti- 
more nnsndiant.  mo\  eil  to  retain  the  non-im- 
liortation  acts,  which  were  repealed  by  oni! 
section,  forwhiidi  lie  was  supported  by  only 
.')!  votes.  .Mr.  IJiadley  jiioposi'il  to  allow 
commerce  in  neutral  ve.-s<'|s  i'orbidden  to  onr 


,1 


own.  in  wliicli  he  was  snjiporlcd  by  Timothy 
I'ickerin'j:  and  'I'imothy  i'itkin.  opposed  liy 
.James  Fisk.  Kli.ln  Potter,  Ib.bort  Wright, 
and  Thomas  Newton,  and  the  motion  re- 
jected. Before  the  iinal  i|iiestiiin  was  taken, 
Mr.  ralhonn  replied  to  .Mr.  AVebster's 
(diarge  of  Fremdi  co-(i];eiation.  which  In^ 
denied,  and  Frencli  inlbiciu'e,  which  Iu» 
saiil  he  despised.  If  Mr.  ^\'eb^ter's  policy 
had  lieen  pursued,  American  commeri-o 
would  hav(^  been  entirely  under  llnglish 
control.  Mr.  Webster  rejoined  that  tho 
good  old-fashi(nied  policy  was  the  in'st :  to 
rely  on  oursi>lv(\s,  aid  not  on  others.  A\'il- 
liam  lieed  ojiposed  the  rejieal  of  the  em- 
bargo while  the  Uiissian  mediation  was 
peii'ling,  because  it  would  drain  the  country 
of  sjiecie.  The  bill  reijiiired  neutral  vi  ssels 
to  be  manned  with  tlieii"  ov.n  seamen,  ami 
prohibited  any  .\inerl<:;n  citi/tn  from  going 
in  their  vessels  wii.iiout  a  passport:  whiidi 
]iart  Mr  Forsyth  nmved  to  reject,  but  it 
was  retained  al't'T  some  debate,  though  op- 
posed by  seve; al  of  the  most  respectabli! 
mein'iers  of  imth  parties. 

Nevl  day,  the  I'lth  of  .Vpril,  If^U,  when 
that  bill  was  resumed  in  the  llnuse,  Mr. 
McKim  made  a  strenonts  effort  to  keep  the 
non-importation  law  as  a  security  to  infant 
mamilacturcs,  which  lie  estimated  as  a 
national  interest  of  two  hniidred  millions, 
and  our  utmost  i''xpi  rts  at  sixty  millions, 
so  that  the  inaniii'a>tiires  adih  d  ]iroliably 
a  hundred  millions  to  the  agricultural  in- 
terest, lie  I'l-.ireil  tlia  the  llnnlish  nmiui- 
faeturers  would  overwhelm  ours.  Mr.  Cal- 
houn answered  that  with  the  dmilde  duties 
they  liad  lifty  ]M'r  cent.  ]irot(M'tion,  wliich 
was  enough,  and  Jlr.  McKim's  eflbrt  got 
but  ?yi  votes.  Finally,  after  a  great  deal 
more  contest  that  day,  t!ie  rejieal  p.assed 
bv  115  ayrs  to  1)7  nays,  the  latter  beir,g  tho 
remuiuit  (  f  the  large  administration  ma- 
jority once  taught  to  rely  on  national  self- 
denial  and  passive  suil'ering  as  proferalile 
to  tiie  inconveniences  and  chances  of  war, 

AVheii  tl'.e  liill  V)'as  reported  in  Senate, 
•Io>e])h  Anderson.  Outeibridge  Horsey, 
liufns  King,  O.avid  l^aggett  and  -lohn  Tay- 
lor urged  a  snsiietisioii  of  the  rule  iirevent- 
ing  three  reaoings  of  a  bill  in  oiii'  day, 
so  that  tho  embargo   and  iK)n-iuiport\tiun 


I 


^'-T. 


-nil!  ,. 


:t 


■'3 


M'-: 


r  I 


^.. 


m;\4 


70 


COMMERCIAL  TlESTIilCTIOXS. 


[1814. 


inij;lit  lio  fcirthwith  nnmillcd  ;  wliidi  Wil-  govcin.iicnt,  liv  which  it  outdid  dosnotie  in 
liiiin  (iilos,  >S:iiiui<>l  Ihuia,  and  Klijius  Fro- j  Hcvority  nf  iiiiivorniil  jn-cssuro  on  tlie  ooni- 
incntin  o[>|i(),s(m1,  and  jircvcntcd.  On  the  inimity,  causcH  admiration  of  t!io  law-abid- 
12th  of  April  1S14,  rejecting;  the  Hfi'tions  :  ini;  jtalicni'O  of  llio  Knstcrn  iioojdc,  ox- 
eonecM'nin}^  noiitrals  and  scantcn,  the  Sonato  i  trcniclv  distrosscd  )>;,•  intorrujtt'on  of  tiicir 
passed  tiic  hill  almost  nnaninioiisly,  only  livelihood,  and  though  taught  to  ovadc,  vi't 
four  (tf  tho  least  intluontial  sf  lators  votinj^  never  provoki'd  forcildy  to  resist  laws,  whadi 
a^jiiinst  the  repeal;  on  the  same  day  tlu^  leftists  and  le^jishiturcs  denoun.'ed  as  uneon- 
llouse  without  deliate  on  Mr.  Calhoun's  stitutional  and  void.  A  nuijority  believed 
motion,  liy  a  vote  of  08  to  52,  eoneurred  in  '  that  Jefferson  was  an  instrun.ent  of  Bona- 
the  Senate  amendments,  and  finally  jiassed  i  ]iarte'scon((uests,terrifvin;;  America  as  wtdl 
the  hill.  i  as  Kurope,  and  enahlinii  linjfland,  1)V  tho 

It  was  known,  and  puhlished  at  that !  resemhlanee  of  th(>  American  restrictive  to 
time,  that  .Felferson  ac(|uieseed  in  that  his  continental  system,  to  spread  alarm  that 
abro}^ation  of  his  favorite  and  abortive  e.\-  the  American  was  part  of  the  yrench  scheme 
jieriinent  to  j)revent  war  by  unlimited  em-  of  destruction  of  trade.  Yet  under  all  these 
barjjo,  non-intercourse,  non-importation,  causes  for  forcible  resistance  there  was  none, 
and  pernninent  commercial  restrictions  on  15y  industry  paralyzed  and  profiertv  do- 
a  nation  confederated  for  the  furtherance  of  preciated,  the  losses  were  incalculable; 
commerce,  which  he  thou^iht  would  have  durin^j;  the  seven  years  of  embarfio,  iion-in- 
siicceeded,  had  it  not  been  iireinaturely  re-  tercourse,  and  iion-iniiiortation,  much  fjreat- 
liiHpiished.  Hut  t|uestionable  as  was  its  er  than  the  nearly  three  years  war.  Nor 
constitutionality,  still  more  doubtful  was  did  coni'  lercial  restriction  prepare  for,  any 
th(>  feasibility  of  su(di  painful  and  irritatinjjj  more  than  prevent,  war.  An;;ry  discontent 
privations  intlictcd  (m  the  navi;;atiii;i  parts  was  increased,  not  allayed  l)y  President 
of  tho  Union,  who  during;  seven  years  sni)-  .Jefferson's  relaxation  of  his  experiment  oq 
niitted  to  despotic  re^^ulations,  gradually,  '  the  assurance  of  a  Massaidiusetts  senator, 
as  was  to  be  expected,  infrinj^eil  by  iniiu- !  Mr.  Adams,  that  it  was  indispensable  to 
merable  devices,  but  still  always  leji;:illy  up-  jirevent  resistance  and  perhaps  disunion, 
lield.  AVhen  the  Senate  rejected  the  bill  '  l>y  proclaiming  Henry's  attem))t  at  ilis- 
which  the  House  sent  to  them,  pr(diibitiii<;  union,  President  Madison  introduced  war 
the  delivery  !)y  the  courts  on  bonds  of  floods  with  embittered  animosity  of  tho  accused 
secured  under  the  non-importation  law,  the  of  \ew  Kiif^land,  avIkuu  it  failed  to  convict, 
last  hope  of  the  restrictive  system  failed,  and  whom  it  was  impolitic  to  inflame  liy 
and  it  was  a  deail  letter  on  the  statute  book,  accusation  without  conviction.  Notwith- 
The  aruK^l  neutrality,  the  continental  sys-  standinji  injuries  and  indifiiiities,  the  poo- 
tem  of  Europe,  and  the  restrictive  system  plo  of  Now  En;i;land  <dun;^  to  the  Union, 
of  tho  United  States  were  all  in  vain  aimed  w'len  some  of  their  ambitious  and  impover- 
at  that  enormous  monojioly  of  commerce  ished  politic-ians  were  excited  to  calculate 
which  Great  Uritain  created  aiul  contiiiu-  and  deny  its  value.  Another  year's  war,  if 
ally  increased  by  irresistible  naval  asccuul-  successful,  as  was  jirobable, would  have  niar- 
tmcy  till  her  own  wonderful  constancy  and  shalcd  the  fio;htin;j;  men,  tho  yeomen  of  the 
success  in  war  opened  nearly  all  Kurope  to  Eastern  States  under  the  national  banner, 
licr  ininufactures  a;:;ain,  tiuis  renderin;;;  the  to  which  a  much  jjreatcr  number  of  th(Mn 
American  restriction  of  commerce^  less  inju-  than  from  any  otlu'r  part  of  the  Union  ral- 
rious  to  her  than  to  the  United  States  and  lied  in  the  AVar  of  the  Kevolution.  AVar 
their  European  customers.  Itepeal  of  tho  em-  was  infinitely  less  odious  or  painful  to  them 
l>arj:;o,  therefore,  was  more  obviously  neces-  than  ]iassive  and  supine  restraint.  In  vain 
sary  than  its  original  enactment  and  persist-  did  the  authors  of  an  injjlorious  system  of 
ing  maintenance.  AVar  of  itself  intei-dicted  commercial  self-denial  plead  precculents  of 
all  trade  between  enenties,  both  by  law  a- id  the  l{evolution,  when  twice,  American  non- 
ineff(H-t,  and  neutral  vessels  could  )>e  the  only  importation  acts  forced  Great  Britain  to 
legal  bear(!rs  of  any  commercial  intercourse  j'iold.  Jefferson's  honest  exporiment  be- 
between  the  United  States  and  (Sreat  Bri- '  (jueathed  to  Madison  to  govern  without 
tain.  Impost  on  them  and  our  own,  was  ex-  army  or  navy,  and  resist  foreign  enemies 
pected  tocontributc!  revenue  for  warcuarges.  without  war,  proved  total  failures,  more 
The  repeal,  however,  was  not  an  act  of  sub-  costly  than  war,  and  much  more  odious  to 
mission,  to  fear  or  to  oj)position,  but  a  war  the  people  and  dangerous  to  the  Union, 
measure,  to  give  activity  to  cotton,  tctbacco,  I  On  the  14th  of  April  1814,  Cyrus  King 
flour,  "P"'  oil'.er  stajdes,  the  export  of  which,  made  a  last  and  urgent  effort  to  repeal  the 
it  wa,  iic'l,  might  yield  an  income  of  act  against  licens(\s  to  tratle.    Many  Ameri- 

ten  ?)■  a  year,  on  which  government   can  vessels  detained  in  foreign  ports  could 

could  i:  ■.I'-,,  attln*  same  time  enalpling  the  not  come  homo  without  thorn,  ho  said  ;  nor 
jiroducei-  of  our  staples  to  jiay  direct  tax(\s,  I  would  there  bo  any  submission  to  the  enc- 
for  tho  first  time  during  many  years  im-  niy,  fiir  in  the  exterminating  war  raging 
posed  on  them,  between  Franco  and  England  such  licenses 

llotrospect  of  that  experiment  of  free   wore  used,    Tho  House  by  a  vote  agreeiug 


1 


[1814. 

dosnotic  in 
III  the  com- 
ic liiw-iihid- 
Itcojilo,  ox- 
ion  of  tlu'ir 
>  ovinlc,  Vl't 
laws,  which 
mI  iiM  uncon- 
\ty  believed 
nt  of  Boim- 
^rica  us  well 
md,  Iiv  tho 
'strietivc  to 

iilarni  timt 
nch  scheme 
Icr  all  these 
0  was  none, 
•ofiertv  de- 
calculalile ; 
I'jjo,  non-in- 
nuch  preat- 

war.  Nor 
ive  for,  iiny 
■  discontent 
l'rt!sident 
leriment  on 
tts  senator, 
lensalile  to 
s  disnnion. 
i))t  at  dis- 
iduced  war 
ho  accnsod 

to  convict, 

inflame  by 
Notwitli- 

's,  tho  peo- 
tho  Union, 
id  im))ovor- 

0  calciilato 
ar's  war,  if 

1  have  mar- 
men  of  the 
lal  banner, 
er  of  tiiem 

Union  ral- 
:iiin.  War 
ful  to  them 
t.  In  vain 
i  s\-stem  of 
eciKlcnts  of 
■ricaii  non- 
Britain  to 
rinient  be- 
n  witiiout 
:n  onomiea 
uros,  more 
!  odious  to 
Union, 
yrus  King 
repeal  the 
my  Amcri- 
lorts  could 
I  said ;  nor 
to  tho  onc- 
rar  rajring 
cli  licenses 
c  dgroeiug 


Chap.  II.] 


CLOSE  OF  THE  SESSION. 


71 


to  consider  his  resolntion,  a  long  and  shar|i  |  tues  is  tho  military,  so  doomed  by  the  llo- 
debate  ensued,  in  which  the  resolution  was    mans.     In   1>^4S,  Uongiess  reluctnntly  and 


iehate  ensued,  in  wiiic 

supported  by  (iovernor  Wright,  Mr.  (iros- 
veiior,  Mr.  Siiett'ey,  and  Mr.  Oaston,  who 
(the  latti'r)  projiosed  to  iiiodifv  tir'  act,  in- 
stea'i  of  refiealing  it,  by  aiitlion/ing  ll-enses 
under  the  President's  supervision.  'Mr. 
Caliioun,    James    Fisk,    Mr.   IMiirfreo,   Mr. 


irrettularly  voted  grants  to  the*  iiimiiies  of 
Jt(fl'ers(iii  and   Hamilton,  and  indirei'tlv  to 


the  impoverishiMl  cdniiueror  of  Teciinri-'h. 
Monday,  tiie   iSth  A|  ril,   1.^14,  that  ses- 


ini|iieror 

1  A)  ril, 
sion  of  Congress   ended,    by   adjournment 
till  the  last  Mondav  of  October,  after  iiav- 


Sharn,  Mr.  Kiiea,  Mr.  McKini,  Mr.  I'otter,  ;  ing  disjiosed  of  all  but  what  was  left  as 
Mr.  buvall,  and  I,  spoke  against  the  mo-  unfinished  Imsiness.  The  final  movement 
lion;  King  anil  Fisk  becoming  at  last  very    concerning  tlie  war  was  a  I'csolutioii  sub- 


pcrscuial  and  recriminating.     IJy  i<i  votes 
to  4'.*,  the  House  refuscMl  to  repeal  or  modify 


mitted  by  M<irris  L.  Miller  for  a  committee 
to  sit  during  the  recess,  with  power  to  send 


the  act.  .James  Fisk  tln^ii  carried  a  nioti(ui  for  persons  and  |iap(>rs,  to  in(|uiro  into  the 
for  his  favorite  i)roje(;t  of  strengtluMiing  •  causes  of  the  failure  of  our  arms  on  the 
the  revenue  laws  to  pndiibit  smuggling  by  nortlu'rii  and  northwestern  frontier;  which 
ju'ovision  for  the  removal  of  suits  from  state  iiinvarrantable  demand  was  rejected  by  ('»8 
to  the  Federal  crairts,  which,  on  Saturday  to  21'  votes.  Tiie  House  did  not  fii"'  it 
the  Kith  of  Ajiril,  the  last  business  day  of!  necessary  to  sit  later  than  nine  o'clock  in 
that  session,  the  House  refused  to  consider,  tiu;  evening  of  Saturday,  and  Monday  was 
and  in  which  he  never  finally  succeeded  [  a  <lay  of  mere  com]iletion,  without  undcr- 
till  so  late  in  tin?  next  session,  that  the  war  :  taking  any  more  business, 
closed  befor(!  it  could  he  available.  I      Though   miKh  was  done  by  the  legisla- 

Itii  tlie  first  of  April,  1S14,  a  i.u'mber !  tion  of  that  session  to  create  a  navy  and 
of  the  House  of  Jlepreseiitatives,  .J(din  Daw-  j  invigorate  the  armv,  yet  was  it  the  untimely 
S(m,  died,  not  of  wounds,  but  disease  eon- ,  and  culpable  semi-oflicial  boast  of  the  ad- 
tracted  by  following  as  a  volunteer  the }  ministration,  that  "  no  law  was  jiassed 
Northern  army  on  its  disastrous  campaign  '  during  the  session  to  lay  additional  taxes 
the  year  before:  a  tall,  well-looking,  fash-  im  the  jioople  ;  the  only  acts  res|iectiiig 
ionably  dressed  and  rather  taciturn  bachc-  ]  revenue  were  those  authorizing  a  loan  nii;l 
lor,  commonly  called  Ueau  Dawson.  For  |  treasury  notes,  calculatetl,  together  with 
sixteen  successive  years  ho  represented  the  ■  the  revenue  from  impost  and  interi.al  du- 
same  ^'il•ginia  district;  not  an  orator,  or  .  ties,  to  raise  a  suflicient  sum  to  meet  the 
conspicu()us  persoi.age,  but  regular  attend- :  large  appropriations  made  for  the  s 'rvice 
ant,  reliable;  vot(!r,  and  veteran  politician.  ]  of  the  current  year."  'J'lie  same  ai  thori- 
Froni  the  time  he  came  fif  age,  till  near  i  tative  announcement  confessenl  also  that 
fifty  years  old,  when  he  died,  h(\  was  hardly  I  the  necessity  of  raising  a  revenue  v  as  a 
ever  out  of  public  life,  which  was  his  only  j  motive  fiir  repealing  the  restrictive  s;!  stem, 
vocation,  and  nearly  always  by  populjir  i  "  over  Avhich  a  veil  of  concealincit  was 
election.  President  .Icft'crson,  to  whose  j  thrown  during  the  discussions  in  Cmgrcss. 
scho(d  of  p(ditics  ho  belonged,  conferred  on  ,  That  veil  raised,  i\iiibitcd  the  fact  <hat  the 
him  the  complimentary  mission  of  carrying  [  alternative  was  repeal  of  that  system,  or 
to  Franco  the  ratified  treaty  of  Louisiana,  imposition  of  additional  taxes  for  IMIT), 
by  which  excursion  Mr.  Dawson's  tastes  for  amounting,  in  case  the  war  continueil,  to 
the  gay  and  the  el(>gant  were  gratified.  His  inore  than  five  millions  annuallv,  more 
succi'ssor  was  Philip  P.  IJarbour,  afterwards  j  than  doubling  the  then  rates  of  internal 
Speaker  of  the  House,  and  diKlge  of  the  i  taxation."  Such  further  acfknowledgnicnt 
Supremo  Court  of  the  United  States.  j  of  the  inefficiency  (if  self-restraint  glaringly 

Soon  after  Mr.  Dawson's  demise,  on  the  ,  impugned  it  by  its  authors,  whose  invete- 
5th  April,  1)^14,  a  more  athletic  and  sue- 1  rately  fallacious  ho)ie  of  jieace,  and  dread 
cessful  member,  fidlowor  of  the  war,  Colo-  of  burdening  a  people  willing  to  bear  any 
nel  Richard  M.  Johnson,  resumed  his  seat  I  burden  for  supporting  the  war,  wore  still 
in  the  House  of  ilepresentativos,  on  crutches  I  uncurcd.  In  none  of  its  lessons  was  the 
and  much  mutilated,  but  with  spirit  un-  j  war  more  instructive,  than  that  free  people 
broken,    inexhaustible    good    nature,    and  ',  shrink  less  than  their  government  from  the 


more  incapacity  than  ever  to  say  "no"  t( 
any  one  about  anything  ;  a  talent  extremely 
rare  and  difficult  in  our  popular  govern- 
ment. On  the  last  sultry  night  of  the  first 
sossitin  of  tho  thirtieth  Congress,  August 
14th,  LS48,  C'oloncl  .Tohnson,  who  had  lieen 
a  member  in  both  Houses  for  more  than 
twenty   years,    and    Vice    President,    was 


discomforts,  perils  and  charges  of  war. 

After  the  Senate  had  disposed  of  all  their 
business,  \  ice  President  (ierry  stated,  with 
reference  to  the  <|uestion  that  had  been 
raised  as  to  a  temporary  president  of  that 
body,  that  it  had  been  the  practice  ever  since 
the  act  of  ITU'2,  for  tho  Vice  President  to 
retire,  in  order  that  the  Senate  might  elect 


there  again,  anxiously  soliciting  an  Indian  j  a  president  pro  tempore,  to  adjourn  them, 
appropriation.     In  \Xi-i  he  was  an  object  |  and  that  he  should  do  so. 
of  universal  admiration,  as  if,  notwithsiand- 1      On  the  2'2d  April,  1S14,  died  at  Washing- 
ing  all  modern  humanities,  the  first  of  vir-  j  ton  in  his  74th  year,  Samuel  A.  Otis,  Sec- 


72 


SrPPT.IRS. 


[1814. 


'*: 


ii'l 


li 


H 


h 


i\ 


ri'tiivy  (if  tbo  S(>nato  fmin  its  fiv.r  <)vn;iiniz;i- 
tioii  at  New  V(ji  k.  ill  \~i<'.>:  (liiriii;;'  tlvi'- 
ainl-twciity  yctirsolliis  f'iiitlil'iil  iiicimilMMicy, 
lilt  nlic  (luy  lllis.'ilt  IViillI  ;i  plilii',  tlic  illltli'S 
cf  wliicii  he  |M'ii''riiii'cl  willicxciiiphiry  iiiinc- 
tiiiiHty  :iiiii  iiili'liiii'iMici'.  lie  was  tlio  latluT 
di"  llirrisiiii  (Jri'ydtis.  His  sin'ci'-isor  was 
Cliarli's  Ciitts,  liVdlliiM-in-linv  ol'  I'n'siili'iit 
Mu'lisiiii,  wliiisc  most  riinsiilcn'cj  coiinii'titur 
i'..  t'li-  Micri'ssiiiii  was  Williaiii  W  .  Si'atiui, 
DiKi  I'f  tlu)  iMJitdi's  i>r  thi>  Naliiiiial  liitrlll- 
gi'iif'T.  As  11  mi>tliip(l  (if  sii|ii'i-s('(|inn' Mr. 
Ciitts,  with  wlioiii  the  Senate  liccatne  dissa- 


iis  wickc'l,  linlioeile,  and  rninons.  l)y  a('(Mi«i- 
ers,  wild,  ill  tiu'ii.  Were  liriinile(|  as  a  (les|i('- 
nito  and  iicfarioiis  liictiKii.  n-fiisiii;;  their 
(•(iinitry  supplies  in  time  of  neeii,  ;i;iviii(iai(l 
and  coiiifoi't  to   tiie  coitimon   eneinv  of  ail 
parlies.    The  federal  minority  voted  a^jaiiot 
many   of   what   must  lie  deemed   supplies, 
I  mostly  alle;rinii;  that  fhev  did  so  to  put  ii 
i  stop  to  the  war,  few  ol'  them,  however,  ah- 
1  solnt(dy  (hMiyiiiij:    its  jiistici?   or    necessity, 
whi(di  ai'(?  ('(iincrtilile  terms,  or  t'onteiidiii).; 
that  it  should  he  left  eiitindy  without  sup- 
port, ha\in>;  heen.  as  they  contended,   uii- 
tistiel,  after  he  had  heen  eleven  years  tliei)-  |  wisely  (le(dared,  inopportunely  and  impro- 
Secretary,  that  h'idy  introduced  for  the  lir-t    videiitly    undertaken,    ^^holly   unprepared, 

Kn;;laiid  as  the  enemy, 
or  lioth  :  and   (le(dare(l 


time,  in  iS^fi,  a  system  of  liieiinial  election-' 
ol'tlcir  Secretary,  hy  which  Mailer  Lowrie 
vas  chosen,  hoih  Ciitts  aiiil  Lowrie  Inning 
bei>ii  Senators  heforo  they  were;  chosen 
clerks.  Duriny;  the  first  thirty-si.x  years  of 
S.'uatorial  existence,  then;  wcro  no  perni- 
cious and  d^sreputaiile  chanu'es  of  such  offi- 
cers, hy  which  mercenary  thirst  for  phice 
is  indiiceil,  not  less  inconvenient  t(.  the 
Senate  tlian  injurious  to  iielividiial  aspir- 
ants, thus  invited  to  iiHilti]>ly,  compete  and 
iiitri'.i'ne  for  a  clerkship,  to  whi(di  no  Senator 
should  (lescpiid.  and  from  which  iiiimhers 
of  claimants  should  he  discountenanced. 

Wlien,  after  thr(>(>  weeks'  dehate  in  the 
ir.iiise,  tli(^  Loan  hill  (tassinl  hy  only  the 
iilininistration    majorilv     overruling     the 


iiniustly  selecting' 
instiMid  of  France, 
a;j:ainst  Mniilaiid  iimler  l-'reiich  intliience,  hy 
an  adinini'^tration  W(>ak  and  vvickeii.  incapa- 
lileof'its  \i;;or( Ills  and  successful  prosecution, 
wlioso  (ihject  was  c(m((Uest  of  Canada,  not 
defence  of  maritime  wron^^s.  AV'ithoiit  iiii- 
|iracticahle  ami  forhiddcn  im|iiitatioii  (d'  mo- 
tives, and  (Icnial  of  assertions  whi(di  cannot 
he  positively  disprove(l,  may  history  coti- 
demn  Votes  as  a;:;ainst  the  country,  or  even 
the  war,  which,  predicating;  opposition  to 
lli(^  Kxecutive,  aviu'red  iievertli(dess  sincere 
iitttKdiiiieiit  to  the  country,  and  siddoiii  if 
ever  denounced  oven  the  mere  war,  hut  its 
time,  manner,  (u*  some  other  collateral  cir- 
cumstance ?     X'ioleiit  and  factious  jiarties 


party  minority,  the  National  liit(dli;i'eiicer.  j  are  )iarcel  of  the  fVeedoni  of  this  (•ountry, 
utterin;;;  the  sentiments  of  most  of  tiie  f  ir- 1  and  win  n  f.i;overiiment  has  all  tli(>  constitu- 
mer,  accuseil  the  f 'der.ilists  of  want  (d'  )ia-    tioiial  power,  its  measures  will  and  should  he 


tri'itism,  1"lu;  ))rincipal  )ioint  of  all  their 
ohjcctions  was  tha.t  the  moii(\v  was  to  he 
raised  for  the  war.  On  a  hill  to  maintain 
the  credit  of  the  nation,  had  they  a  ri;.;ht  to 
in(|iiire  whether  it  was  just  to  paydchts  for 
wlii(di  acts  of  ('oinri'i-ss  had  ]ileilired  the 
puiilic  faith  ?  The  Loan  IJill  did  not  pro- 
]i(is()  money  to  carry  war  into  Canaila,  yet 
was  opposiMl.  l)(»caiise  to  defeat  it,  would 
arrest  such  hostilities,  and  overthrow  the 
administration.  Siudi  (i'roiind  the  ^i^overii- 
meiit  journal  complaine(l,  would  justify  a 
future  C(iii2;rcss  in  acting;  on  the  e.xecrahle 
idea,  more  th;in  hinted  at  hy  a  miniher  of 
tho  op|iositloii,  of  liistinnuishinii;  hetweeii 
former  national  dehts  as  just,  and  those  of 
tills    war   to    Ij(!    disrejianhwl,    as    unjust: 


watched,  criticised,  and  couiiteracte(l  hy  a 
jealous  minority.  There  Wi-ro  iii(>mhers  and 
measures  of  Congress  trespassing;  heyond 
p;uty,  aii'l  iiillanie(lliy  faction.  Individuals, 
the  press,  and  even  State  authorities  prea(di- 
cd  unpatriotic,  some  of  them  practiced  trait- 
orous, opposition.  Mutinous  party  passions 
excite(l  inevifahh;  jiersonal,  local,  and  sec- 
tional prejudices  and  animosities  :  lanj^uajzio 
of  extreme  ahuso  was  applied  iiy  both  par- 
tics  tn  each  other.  Hut  tissted  hy  votes  in 
(Jonu;ress,  which  are  the  h(>st  evidence  of  in- 
tentions, th(>r(*  is  IK)  reason  to  sentenc(^  tlio 
i  opposition  at  that  lime,  eiiihracine;  many  '.>i 
j  the  most  ros|i(>ctali!e  and  approved  citi/.en.s, 
I  to  hi--torical  reproach  for  want  of  patriotic 
adherence  to  their  countrv.     1'lic  Jlartford 


thoue-h  no  Olio,  however  violent,  donici  the 
intetrrality  of  ]iuhlic  deht,  incapable  of 
classiiication,  or  jrradatioii,  TIk;  pul)lic 
faith  once  pleil^(;(l,  must  remain  fon^ver 
inviolable,  amid  all  the  storms  of  jiarty, 
chaiiLjes  of  adiiiinistratioii 
iiprootiii^s    of    revolution. 


party,  therefore,  would  bankrupt  tho  trea- 
sury, causinn'  conliision,  aiiandiy,  and  i^iio- 
ininious  submission  to  tlu!  cnoniy,  as  must 
li.ive  resiilte(l  from  the  success  of  their  ft\\- 
P'lsition  to  the  loan.  Such  was  the  anjjry 
ai'^iumi'iit  of  the  moment:  but  is  it  tin;  ver- 
dict of  lii-:toi'v?    Til  Conirress,  as  elsewhere, 


( '(invention,  and  acts  oi'  (\n\^Ti^-iH  to  coiiiiicl 
the  whole  jiopiilation  by  drafts  to  carry 
arms,  ajrainst  which  many  revoltc(l  as  con- 
scription for  forcii^n  conquest,  shall  be  fairly 
sulimitted  to  the  reader's  jud^imMit  when 
iml  even  the  i  we  reach  that  sta<j;e  of  the  narrative.  But 
Th(^  fV'deral  j  avowed  refusal  (d'  supplies  m^ver  was  n^sort- 
(m1  to  by  the  minority  in  ('(inj;ress  till  then, 
lf(iver.  On  tlu!  I4th  ofdanuary,  b'<l4,  when 
the  first  \vi\v  nie;isure  of  that  s(>ssioii — the 
bill  to  fill  the  ranks  of  the  ref;'iilar  army — • 
was  read  the  third  time,  and  the  ijuestion 
was  on  its  limil  passa;i(;,  Daniel  Shefiey 
moved,  by  way  of  rider  to  it,  that  tins  troops 


tiic  war  and  adniiui.stratiuu  were  stigmatiiied  !  oiilistcd  should  bo  limited  as  to  service  to 


the  (1.1 
ol  tic 
the   I' 

(in  \y 
(ill  th 


[1814. 


Cnvv.  II.] 


LAWS  PROPOSED. 


7S 


\v;iM  cxti'iiili'd  to  iN'siilriit,^  ill  tlif  Inilcil 
(liiv  111'  till"  ili'i  laiiiidii  III'  wiir, 
rn  ili'rl:ii'(vl  tlii'ir  iiiti'iitiiJii  to 
lici'dliic  riM/i'll><.  iir  tliosi'  ciltil  li'(|  III  Ik  iMiliin 
•mil,  williMiit  Iruiiiy;  su  ili'rliii'c'l.  tlinniiii 
jilicii  (Miciiiics  txci'i'nlinii'  to  )iri(ir  laus.  Mi". 
Fi'iiiiiiMitiii    cciiiiici'd'il    Ills   iiKitioii  (III  this 


thn  (lofonco  of  t1ir>  torritovios  ami  fnintici's  iitintnix  well  ns  nntiirnllziitlon,  wliii-li,  l.vt  ct 
of  till'  I  111  I  I'll  Sliitrs,  i>r  siirli  ]i;iit  tlii'i'iiil'iis  i)t'  tin'  .'II  Mil  -Itilv,  iSl.'i,  tit  tlii'  jiriiir  .ii'^wi  .11, 
till"  I'l'rsiili'iit  iiii;;lit,  t'li'ft  iiuij  iIi'iiTiiiiiu' : 
(III  w  .ii!i  |ii'ii|iii^iiiiiii  II  stiii't  I'lirtv  vulc  ul'  Stiitfs  mi  flu 
ull  fill'  iiii'iiiliiM'-*  pri'MiMit,  \i\  lii.'S  iiiivM  ti(  ri  t  wliip  liinl  lirl' 
UVi'H,  inilicnti'ij  iih  wi'll  ns  cinilil  lie  tin'  i|i  - 
ciiifi'il  HI'  ■•iiiH'iits  III"  Imtli  |iiirtii's  tiH  ti)  till' 
wiir;  (iiirs,  lliiit  wliiit  mir  ii)i|niii('iit.><  fnii- 
(li'iimcil  ii:'  oHi'iiNivc  was  tlic  iimst  ctH'ctiml 
(li'li'iiNivo  war  ;  tlit'ir.><,  that  tiii'v  wuiiM  siiji- 1  snlijci't  with  a  |ilau  fur  aHi'iTlaiiiiiiir  iiiiiiiy 
port  (ii'fi'iisivi' hilt  iii't  iill'i'iisivc  war  :  till' ill- 1  statihitical  ilrtuils.  t'vrns  Miii^  inaili'  aii 
Bini'i'iitv  111'  whii'li,  tlirir  luuwcil  jiusitioii,  '  iiiimh  ri'>sl'iil  atti'iiijit  to  li;i\i'  tin'  llniisi) 
•who  coiilil  iirovc  ?  What  ri^ht  hail  wo  to  ;  coinniilli'c  of  ch'i'tioiiH  chnsi'ii  hy  hallot, 
arciisi' tiiriii  of  Htiiviiij';  to  ci'iniii'i  ilishoiior- i  as  it  is  in  llic  lliaiM-  if  ('oiiiiiKiiis,  in- 
olili'  siiliiiiission  ?  (hi  tiii'">th  of  iVIiitrii,  sti'Mil  of  ajiiiiiintiiii'iit  h_v  th.'  S|ii'al<i'r.  Mr. 
1S14,  the  aiiiHial  a|>|iro|iriatiiai  hill  fur  flir  !  .Miirl'ri'i'  ;;or  a  hill  pasvi-il  livtli"  iiuiisr,  hut 
iiiiA  V  iias.si'il  the  lloiisi'  h_v  l-l  avi's  toU  iiiiVM.  j  too  lati'  for  its  |i:''<s;ij:('  hy  Si'imtc,  for  a  .siir- 
all  ot  till'  iiiiii'  iii';j:ativi's  lii'iiiu;  IVoiii  tht' ;  M'V  of  thn  coasts  uf  tin'  i'liltcil  StatoN ;  niul 
North  anil  Kast,  oiiofnan  NowJorsoy,  thrci.'  |  there  wero  s^DVcnil  iiiovcnu'Hts  hy  vaiioim 
from  Xrw  York,  aii'l   livo  from  Xi'w   Kii;:'- !  ini'iiihi'rs   fur  ti'ri  itorial    iiii|irr.vriii"iits  hy 


liiiiil— all,    hut    Klisha    I'otlcr.   of    |{|ioiU' 
Isliiiiil,  mi'iiihi'rs  of  no  iintc,  hut  all  fi'ili'ral- 
ists.    Till'  same  navy  liiil  passcil  the  Si'iiato 
iinanimoii.-ly,  evory    Senator  ])ri',seiit   lait- 1 
tiiij;  his  name  on  the  ioiirii.'il  for  it.      flie  i 
nrmv  aii|iro)a'iatioii  hill,  mi  tlie  7tli  March, 


lainl  ami  Avater.  ^\ii  aet  reviveil  tin'  ecii- 
si'iit  of  Coii^'Tess  to  laws  of  the  slates  of 
Marylanil  ami  (Jeorniii  for  tonnn'e  duties, 
to  imin'oM-  their  ]iorts,  ('xee|ain<.;  sieiim 
vessels.  It  was  oiijioseil  hy  two  C'oii- 
lectieut    menihers,    .John    J>aven|iort    ami 


l<Sl4,  jiasseil  the  House  hy  82  ayes  to  ;>,H  '  lieiijamiii  'ralhiiailire.  ami  hy  .John  l?eeil 
nays,  ami  the  Sentite  liy  '22  aves  to  Id  navs,  '  ami  Cyrus  Kiiiir,  ol  Massaelmselts.  amlailvo- 
all  ]iarty  votes.  The  <;em>rai  ainn'ojiriation  eateil  hy  iMiifylaml  ami  (leorijia  nienihers  ; 
hill  |)asseil  hotli  Houses  wiilnait  o|i|iosi-  [lassed  without  alteration  in  eoinmiltee, 
tion,  ex('i'|it  the  item  of  lil'ty  thousand  dol-  .(osejili  Lewis  in  the  ehair,  and  finally  hy  ii 
lars  for  the  exiienses  of  forei;rn  missions,  vote  liy  division  without  ayes  and  nays  of 
wliieh  uneianinmily  lari;!'  ijraiit  of  seerot  j  ;V(  to  44,  ordered  to  lie  read  a  third  time  next 
sorviec  money  Wiis  earried  hy  iV.)  ayes  to  5-  ;  ihiy  ;  eertainly  without  tintii-ijiatiou  of  tho 
ntiys.  'J'lio  amended  militia  hill  passed  the  j  argument  Kinco  drawn  hy  President  Polk 
2Utli  Martdi.  I S 14,  hy  party  votes,  SS  to  0;!.  '  from  these  acts  of  ('miiiross  against  tho 
The  loan  liill  the  ;jd  March.  Isl-I-,  hy  1)7  |  eonstitntimial  jiower  to  iiti|irove  rivers,  liar- 
nyes  to  n',]  nays,  a  strict  i>arty  vote;  lait  i  hor  iind  hikes.  1  reported  a  liill  for  rei|iiir- 
aiter  three  weeks  of  ]>rovokinn'  ('on trover- !  irij^  certain  ])ost  ollice  iippointments, till  then 
f>ios  hy  dehate  in  hoth  winj'.s  of  the  ciijiitol,  within  the  exclusive  control  ol' the  postmas- 
fomeiited  hy  the  ptirty  presses  and  other  ter-^-eneral.  to  he  snhmitled  to  the  Senate 
eontrihutioiis  from  without  of  fuel  to  the  ]  for  cmitirination.  ,'iiid  a  hill  for  a  new  (ir<>;an- 
llames.  N'otwilhstanilinji;  the  seiiteueo  of  j  iztition  of  the  federal  jmliciary,  neither  of 
partisans  in  IS14-,  the  Judji'inent  of  history,  j  which  hecanie  laws  that  session  ;  tliou^'h  tho 
after  tliirty-fi\e  years  of  calm  consideration,  ;  former  has  since,  tho  hitter  in  some  way  is 
must  he  tliat  |iatriotism  predominated,  not  :  generally  conceded  to  he  iniiis]iensa.hle,  I 
unalloyed,  (when  is  it?)  hy  party  ;  hut  on  !  iilso  reporteil  from  the  judiciary  coinniitteo 
the  whole  that  country  triumi)liuil  over  a  hill  which  passed  the  House,  originally 
party  in  Congress.  !  proposed  hy  .lohn   M.  Taylor,  hut  lost    in 

Of  contemplated  hut  unexecuted   mov(v    Seiiiite,  ri'i|uiring'  the  jVttorney-Oeneral  of 
ments  of  tlitit  session,  may  he  mentioned  ii    the  I'nited  States  to  residi;  in  \\'ashington, 


•s 


roposal  hy  Israel    Pickens,  a  respectahle    which  was  holieved  to  have  occasioned  M'il- 
ii'ortli    Carolina    mciiiher,    afterwards    (Jo-    li;im  Pinkiiey's  resignation  of  that  place  ami 


vornor   of    Alahama,    to    amend    the  Con- 
stitution for    the    election    of  presidential 


I'ichard  iliisli'siippointment  to  it.    A  Yti/.oo 
hill,  iniich  contested,  liecame  a  linv.undcr 


electors  and  menihers  of  Cmigre.ss  in  sin-!  the  chairmanslii|iof  Mr.  Oakley,  who  report- 
plo  districts,  which  he  afterwards  ahandon- :  cd  troin  a  select  committee  of  which  I  was  ii 
ed  as  to  the  latter,  and  which  was  rejected  ineniher:  and  a  hill  was  rejiorted  hv  .Jaiues 
as  to  the  former  hy  a  mixed  voti?  of  (^  ayes  I'isk  i'rmn  anolher  select  committee,  of  which 
to  8;{  nays.  John  («.  .Jiickson,  afterwards  also  I  was  a  niemher,  for  giving  tiie  federal 
Distrii't  .Judge  of  A'irginia,  proposial  an  courts  entire  control  of  revenue  suits,  which, 
ami'iidiiient  of  tho  Constitutimi,  never  urged  in  parts  of  New  Mngland,  hecamo  vexatious 
to  action  on  it,  to  empower  Congress  to  tax  himlrances  liy  litigation  in  state  courts  of 
exports,  make  roads  iimlciinals  ami  c.stahiish  the  war  oiu'ratimi-,  panicularly  those  to 
a  natimiiil  hank.  Mlijius  l'"romentin  in  Sen-  prevent  smuggling  ami  intercourse  with  the 
ati',  and  'I'hmnas  Boiling  Koliertson  in  tho  enemy,  A  liill  recommended  hv  the  Prosi- 
lluuso,  moved  to  reji;uljite  tho  right  of  cxpatri-!  dout  to  provoiu  tho  delivery  of  prize  gooda 


"  .■*;■ 

|1 

.■Si 


1 


!'  M ;! 


'i-. 


■Si 

'-t 


I  •.; 


74 


MASOWS  AND  flORK'S  llFSOLrTlON'S. 


[1814. 


I  ' 

i  I 


on  })(inils  liy  tho  courtH,  wliii-h  pftsHcil  tho 
lliiiisc,  WiiH  rcjfctcil  l)_v  tlic  Si'iiatc ;  iiml  lui 
ilitcnlift  (pf  till'  ('X|mi'tiltii>ii  ot' specie,  wliii'li 
tlie  I'resideilt  illsii  l'eeiililllie|i(|e(|,  was  lieirii- 
lived  ill  llie  lldiise  uC  |{e]ii'eseutlltives. 
C'ini;;res.>i  audiuri/.ed  the  Serretiiiv  id'  State 
to  ciiiise  till'  priiitiii;;  and  distriluitinii  uf  ii 
Work  i'oiii|irisiii^  a  tiioiiNaiid  Miliiini's,  called 
iHiaiie  and  liicreii\  edition  of  tlie  Law.s  of 
tin'  United  StiitcM.  To  tlie  ciirliteen  stand- 
in;;  committees  of  till!  Ilonscof  Kepresenta- 
tiM's  then  ten  ornn»i-e  have  since  hccn  added, 
of  which  those  on  piihlic  suliJectH  arc,  on  In- 
dian a(l":iirN,  territiiries,  pensions,  patents, 
milea^rc,  roads  and  canals,  and  a;z;riciilture. 
The  Slates  of  indiiuni  represented  li\'  .Jona- 
thi'.M  .lennin;;s  as  dele^rate,  Missouri  hv  Kd- 
ward  Hempstead,  Illinois  li\-  Shailrach 
Bond,  and  .Mississippi  liy  William  Ijatti- 
inorc,  were  then  under  territorial  pivcrn- 
juent,  the  cmliryo  of  that  vast  West  which 
now  l)iiids  tiie  I'nion  to^ietiier. 

When  Mr.  (lallatin  left,  the  treasury  in 
May,  ISI;!,  tho  cxiiectation  was  that  lie 
Bhiiuld  roume  it  in  six  months.  Nine 
liiiinths  havinj^  (dajtsed  without  his  return 
to  its  cryin;;  wants,  on  the  'Jlth  .January, 
1S14,  .lercniiah  .Mason  moved  in  Senate  a 
Bcries  of  resolutions  that,  liy  the  I'rcsident's 
inessa;;e  of  tin;  7th  .June,  iSl;'.,  ho  iuid  in- 
fornicd  tho  Senate  that  he  had  commission- 
ed .Vlliort  (lallatin  to  proceed  to  IJussia,  and 
ne^^otiato  treaties  of  peace  with  Kn;;Iand 
and  commorco  with  ilussia:  that  \>y  his  do- 
jiarturo,  tho  trcas\iry  liecamo  and  remains 
vacant,  and  that  sudi  vacancy  affects  puhlie 
credit,  rotanN  current  service,  enilan;j;ors 
gejH'ral  wi'lfaro,  and  ou^jht  not  to  exist.  'IMie 
(juestion  was  made  the  ordi'r  of  tho  day  for 
thi.'  7th  Fehruary  followin;^.  On  the  fSth 
February,  1.^14,  "(ieor;;o  W.  Camplu'll  was 
nominated  Secretary  of  tlu^  Treasury  and 
Albert  (ialhitin  Minister  to  ( totlenbur;!;, 
Not  satisKed  with  that  partial  triiinqih  over 
the  I'resident,  .Mr.  .Mason,  on  the  1 4tli  Feliru- 
ary,  1^<14,  moved  to  re]ii'al  or  amend  tho 
ao'ts  of  17'.*2  and  17'J'J,  niakin;;  altor.itions 
in  tho  treasury  and  war  departments,  and 
to  iuijuiro  wiieii  the  l*rosidi,'nt  may,  without 
(Consent  of  tho  Soiuito,  appoint  persons  to 
perform  tho  duties  of  secretary  of  any  uf 
the  four  executive  departments  ;  hut  never 
callod  up  tho  resolutions  for  consideration. 
Not  content  with  that  movement,  on  the 
2Sth  February,  1S14,  (.'hrisiophor  Gore 
moved  that  tho  President  may  till  vacaneioH 
hap|j 


)onini;  during  the  recebs  uf  ycuute  by  ;  sisteJ  ia, 


comniissionH,  to  pxpiro  nt  tlio  end  of  their 
next  session,  but  that  no  such  vacancy  can 
happen  in  an  ollice  not  before  full;  that  the 
office  of  minister  to  ni'ijotiato  peace  with 
Kn;;lanil,  diiriiiu;  the  late  recess,  as  stated 
in  his  iiiessa;;!'  of  the  ll'.ttli  .May,  was  not 
constitutional,  as  the  vacancy  did  not  happen 
in  the  recess  and  the  .Senate  had  not  con- 
sented to  the  nomination;  wherefore  they 
protested  a^jainst  tho  commissions  of  Mr. 
(lallatin,  Mr.  Adams  and  .Mr.  Hayard.  Mr. 
(lore  proposed  that  a  committee  should  pre- 
sent his  resolution  to  tho  I'residi'iit.  '1  hat 
resolution,  moved  with  closed  doors,  involv- 
ing a  cardinal  denial  by  certain  Senators  of 
tfie  President's  constitutional  power  of  ap- 
pointment to  office,  on  .lamivs  Turiwr's  mo- 
tion was  ordered  to  be  considered  in  public. 
On  the  '2'ttU  .March,  IS  14,  .Mr.  (ioro  iiuncd 
for  co|iies  of  several  commissi. ins  granted 
by  Pri'sideiit  Wasliiny;ton,  which  prior  to 
tho  debate  the  I'residont  sent,  sliowin;;  tiiiit 
they  were  not  in  terms  limited  to  tho  end 
of  the  next  session  of  ( 'on^rross  onsuin;;;  tho 
ap))ointment.  On  the  .'list  .March,  1S14,  the 
debate  bee;an,  was  eontinued  the  '2d  April, 
when  Will.  Hibb  by  risolution  called  on 
the  President  for  more  similar  coimiiis- 
sions,  and  the  debate  was  reneweil  on 
tho  fifth  (d"  that  month:  but  on  the  twelfth, 
on  (ienoral  Smith's  motion,  postponed  till 
tho  fidlowin;;  December,  which  wa.s  ei(ui- 
valeiit  to  indofiniti'ly.  Outorbrid^ie  Hor- 
sey, of  |)elaware,  a  federalist,  answered 
Mr,  (lore's  ar^^ument  with  conipleto  demon- 
stration that  the  President  is  authorized, 
when  the  Senate  is  not  in  session,  to  appoint 
without  their  confirmation  to  jilacosnot  be- 
fore ociMipiod  by  incumbents,  there  being 
many  occasions,  especially  in  war,  when 
such  appointments  are  indispensable,  and 
such  have  accordingly  been  nnido  by  every 
l'r(>siilent. 

The  Senate,  much  tho  least  res]>onsible,  is 
tho  most  eiicroiichini;  of  our  iniblic  bodies. 
In  the  latter  end  of  Fi'liruary,  lN|4,  Re- 
turn Jonathan  Moi^s,  (iovornor  of  Ohio, 
bein;;  nominated  by  tho  J'rosident  to  su- 
persede (lideon  (iranp'r  removed  from  tho 
jilaee  of  Post-master  (ienoral,  it  was  some 
time  bc^fore  (iovornor  ^Mei^^s'  nomination 
was  eonfirmed,  as  was  rumoretl,  because 
certain  Senators  denied  t\w  President's 
power  (d'  removal  nn)re  than  a])poiiitment, 
without  the  cimsent  of  the  Senate,  which 
position,  if  assumed,  was  not,  however,  per- 
sisteil  in. 


\i 


'  i 


CUAI'.  III.] 


KXPKDrriON  TO  MinilMMAClNAC. 


75 


ClIAlTKIl  HI. 


EXPKDITION  TO  IVIU'IIII.IMACINAC, 


I" 


Bv  Pcrrv's  lunl  Hurrisdn's  \  icturicM  in  tlic 
niituirin  <it'  Is  I:;,  tlio  Hiitisli  lost  l,nkf  Kric, 
and  most  of  tin;  jn-niiisulii  of  >Iiflii;;iiii. 
Lakes  St.  Cliiir,  Iliiroii,  iiml  Siiiicrior,  'o- 
j;i'tln'r  witli  tlic  whole  nortli-west.  the  nn- 
ineroiis  ln<liiin  trilies  inhiiliitiii;;  their  Ixir- 
(I'TS,  and  the  viiliialile  fur  trade,  still  de- 
)i(>n(le(|  on  .Mieliiliniueinae,  the  key  of  that 
vast  rejrion  orpelliK-id  waters  and  imniense 

prairies  <ir  nwadows,  the  American  steppes. 

Those  ma;iiiitieent  demesnes  of  sava;;e  ve- 
iierv  and  recreation,  ahoiinded  with  grouse 
innunieralde,  h('r<ls  of  deer,  and  other  ;iaine, 
inncli  tiller  than  any  noMe  or  royal  park  in 
the  world,  which  thi'V  surpassed  as  nincli 
in  pictiires(|ue  scenery  as  in  ;;ame.  That 
fortress,  surprised  and  taken  from  us  as 
soon  tiH  war  lie<;an,  was  the  main  IJritish 
reliance  for  supplies  to  their  Indian  allies, 
tra<Iinf;  and  warlike  int<'rcourse  with  tlu'm, 
and  comliination  lietween  KastiM-n  and 
Westc^rn  Canada,  on  which  depende(l  the 
ju'eservatiitn  and  control  of  the  vast  wilds 
extending!  from  the  St.  Lawrence  lieyond 
the  Kocky  Mountains  to  tli(>  almost  unknown 
and  fahulous  shore  id' the  Pacific  ocean.  To 
replenish  Michiliniacinac,  stren;;then  St. 
Josephs,  sujijily  all  the  liritish  posts,  and 
tontirm  Itritish  authority  throu;;hout  the 
})(trders  of  th(*  northern  lakes,  from  Lake 
Simcoeti)  the  F/ike  id'thi'  Woods,  an  enter- 
])risin;r  officer.  Colonel  M(d)ouall,  as  soon  as 
)uniy,ation  opened  in  the  sprinj;  of  1S14, 
Conducted  detachments  of  troops  to  IMi(diil- 
imacinac,  aucl  lieyond  it.  Some  o{'  them 
were  marcdied  by  land  all  tho  way  from 
Halifax,  so  enterprising;  and  provident  was 
British  prejiaration  ajrainst  American  at- 
tack of  Canaila.  Mcl>o\iall  i)roceeded 
throu;;h  Fiake  Simcoo  itito  F^ake  IFurun,  hy 
the  FJiver  Natewasa^a  and  (iloucester  FJay, 
in  open  liirch  caiioos,  laden  with  stores, 
ammunition  and  sujijdies,  bravinf;  tho  tem- 
]i(!stuous  weather  of  those  northern  ree;i(uis, 
and  saf(dy  <leposited  his  frei^^ht  at  Mi(diili- 
inacinac  tho  ISth  of  May,  1MI4;  replenish- 
inj;  that  important  station  with  fresh  troops, 
munitions,  jirovisions,  and  whatever  else 
■was  necessary  for  tho  garrison  whitdi  he 
reniaiited  then*  to  command.  Ccdonol  Mc- 
I^oiiall  disj)atohe<l  C(douel  McKay,  of  the 
Indian  dc^partment,  with  six  hundreil  Ca- 
nadian and  Indian  troops,  who,  on  the  17th 
July,  IH14,  surrouniled  Prairio  du  Chien, 
on  the  Mississippi,  and  planted  their  hat- 
tory  of  one  (solitary  cannon  ajtainst  that 
Amoriuan  statiou.     After  short  iiarley,  uud 


11 


no  resistance,  the  American  };iirr''on  of 
seventy  nn'n  and  three  otiicers,  surrendered 
a  post  of  the  utmost  importaiu'c  to  IJritisli 
traile  ami  arms,  elfcctually  securing  their 
inlluenee  o\cr  the  Indian  tribes,  tralKt-,  and 
supplies  in  that  region, 

(hir  yoverniueiit.  likewise,  in  the  spring 
of  Isl  I,  plauneil  an  expedition  to  the  north- 
west, the  olpjects  of  which  were  to  reci'pturo 
Miidiilimacinac,  ilestmy  St.  Josephs,  and 
a  fort  which  it  »  as  erroneously  believed 
the  enemy  were  i..ii!diMg  at  .Machedash,  on 
(lloiicesti'r  I5ay,  in  the  north-ea>i  corn(>r  of 
!<ak''  Huron:  capture  a  large  quantity  of 
furs  and  jicltries,  which  it  wa  also,  erro- 
lu'ously,  be'ieved  :>  W'ashii  .'on,  were  '<n 
their  way  from  north-western  to  north-r  .st- 
ern Canada,  and  break  down  Flnglish  pi  ..  r 
as  elfcctually  in  the  far  west  as  Iii^i'.;on 
had  done  in  the  north-west,  ami  Ja<'kson  in 
the  south-west.  On  the  l">t''  .  "  April,  \Hl4, 
tluMvdiu-e,  Captain  Siiudai'-  wa'  a|ipointed 
to  the  connnand  of  the  I  pper  Lakes,  sepa- 
rat(>d  from  McMonough's  ((Jiumaiul  of  I/ako 
Champlain,  and  Chauncey's  of  F-ake  On- 
tario. Simdairwas  to  convey  Major  ilolmes 
with  a  land  force  to  destroy  tho  Uritish 
boats  su|ij)osed  to  bo  building  on  Lake 
FFuron,  their  establishmen  at  St.  Josephs, 
the  m.'w  fort  said  to  be  building  at  JMatdio- 
dasli,  and  capture  the  jieltries.  Some  diffi- 
culties ami  correspondeiu'e  ensued  as  to  tho 
comnnniil  of  the  exiieilition,  which  tho 
senior  otKcer  at  l>etroit,  lileutenant-Colonel 
Croghan,  in  the  absence  of  Cohuud  IJutler, 
insisted  the  Secretary  of  War  had  no  riglit 
to  confi'r  Ir,  '"'ter  direct  to  Major  llohuea 
without  p;,  i'  ,  through  the  hands  of  his 
siijierior  oflicei\  A  similar  difficulty,  about 
■  the  same  time,  on  the  1  Ith  (d' May,  1S14, 
[caused  (icneral  IFarrison's  r(>tirement  from 
the  ariuy.  Throughout  the  war  it  sulfered 
much  more  from  insubordination  of  com- 
manding officers  than  disobedicnco  or  in- 
disci]iline  of  the  rank  and  file.  I'rocrasti- 
nated  by  these  causes,  th(!  expedition  w.'is 
not  embarked  at  Detroit  till  the  lid  of  July, 
1HI4,  under  tho  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Croghan,  with  Major  Holmes  to 
servo  under  him :  Croghan,  to  tho  last,  pro- 
testing that  his  force  was  too  small,  and 
that  Michilimacinac,  if  taken,  was  not  an 
(d)ject  worthy  of  the  expedition.  Five  hun- 
dred regular  troops,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifty  militia,  embarked  in  Sinclair's  squad- 
ron ;  and  on  tho  llZthof  July,  atF''ort(«ratiot, 
were  rciuforccd  by  ColoucI  Cotgrovc's  rcgi- 


;*  I 


CROailAX  REPULSED. 


[1814. 


Chap. 


lis,-,   -■ 


1 

K 


:t 


li 


M 

V 

■■« 

111' 


iiu'iit  df  Oliio  militiii.  Tlio  naval  officovs, 
ac(  ii-^Iiinicil  ti)  sra  vdcmi,  ami  miascd  to  tlic 
iiiivi'l,  if  nut  (lilficult.  iiaviiiiiliim  of  tlic 
lakrs.  iiiovcil  so  slowly  tiiroiijcli  St.  ("lair 
mill  l,;tk('  lliii'on.  tli!it  imliaus,  in  tln'ir 
birch  canoes,  or  hv  land,  hail  plenty  of  time 
to  'j;o  forward  and  adviso  Mc|)ouall  of  the 
aji))i'oacli  of  an  American  force  to  attack 
liini.  Another  reason  for  the  extremely 
slow  n'i\  i;^atii)n  was,  that  the  eonimanilcrs 
exjiecteil  to  discover,  or  heai"  id'lar^'e  ijnan- 
tities  of  iieltries  which  they  mi^iht  caiiture. 
Except  the  annual  sin;j,le  sidmoner,  or  sloop, 
vith  supplies,  which,  pursuant  to  treaty 
arranirennait  lietweiMi  the  United  States 
and  (ireat  15 -itain,  travers(>d  those  waters, 
their  navi;iation,  theretofore,  had  heen 
oontined  to  liindi  hark  canoes.  The 
lary;e  hriirs  of  war  fiawrence  and  Xiai;'ara, 
^vith  the  smalliM-  vessels  coniiiosinj>;  the 
AnnM'ictin  si|uadron,  were  the  first  of  sn(di  a 
size  ever  seen  there.  Move  than  one  thou- 
sand miles  from  the  hii!;h  seas,  and  upon 
dee])  wattM's  several  thousand  feet  aliov(! 
the  lev(d  of  the  ocean,  a  fleet  of  vessels  of 
■\var.  with  all  th  ■  nowevand  [laradeid' arnni- 
ment,  traversed  those  vast  inland  waters, 
(.'■mmodore  Sinclair  deiMued  Lake  St.  Clair 
extrenndy  ditHcuhand  daiiy;ero(is.  and  Lake 
Huron  still  more  perjd(>xiii;j,'.  Iron-hound 
coasts  were  lined  hy  ]ierpendicular  voeks. 
There  wo-e  no  harbors  but  in  the  mouths  of 
the  riv(n's  entorinjj;  into  the  lakes,  and  no 
pilotage  but  for  one  main  (diannel  from  De- 
troit to  Micliilimacinae:  the  water  trans- 
parent enough  to  stetM-  by,  but  the  fo'is  as 
prevalent,  thick  and  inuieiu'trable  as  on  the 
IJanks  (;f  Xewfouudland.  The  depth  (d" 
Avat  r  was  so  varial)le,  that  from  no  sound- 
i'lfrs  all  atonee  to  twoortiire(>  fathoms  was 
a  common  occurrence  and  constant  disipiiet. 
Tlie  remains  of  thousands  of  larjre  islands 
become  mere  pi'aks,  just  rising  above  the 
surface  of  the  water,  contrilmteil  to  render 
the  navi'.ratioii.  as  the  seamen  con»iider(>(l  it. 
extremely  ]ierilous.  Diaisnnui  and  l>aven- 
]iort.  two  inlnibitants  id"  {■]nii:lish  Canada, 
villi,  lielbre  the  war,  had  beeome  Americans, 
accompanied  the  expedition  to  afford  their 
information  and  advice,  not  only  as  ro- 
specteil  tiii!  lakes,  but  the  whol<(  (bourse  of 
operation.  John  Jacob  Astoi's  ap^nt.  ^Ir. 
llamsay  Crooks,  was  also  id' the  exjii'dition, 
to  jioiiit  out  the  prop(M-ty  of  his  princi))al, 
who  was  the  hea.d  of  the  South-west  Fur 
Comiiany,  and  distinirnish  it  from  that  of 
the  \orth-west  Fur  Company,  whicdi  was 
an  Kn;rlish  Association,  lar,;::e  (piantities  id' 
wdiosi'  furs  it  was  hoiied  to  nnke  pri/e  of 
Erom  their  connection  with  the  Indians, 
annual  sujiplies  to,  and  oonstant  inlhience 
over  whom,  it  was  deemed  tin  important  oh- 
ject  to  cripiile  their  resources,  and,  it'  pos- 
sible, break  up  their  establishment. 

On  till'  'l\Hh  of  •July,  the  s<|Uailron  found 
St.  .Josephs  evacuated  and  destroyed  :  >Liior 
llolmea   was   dutachod   witli    two    vessels 


under  laeutiMiant  Tumor  of  the  navy,  to 
destroy  an  Fn;.i:lish  factory  on  St.  .Mary's 
Straits,  which  unite  Lake  Huron  and 
Sniierior:  denounced  liv  Colmud  .Mcj>ouall 
as  pillaue  and  robbery,  ibr  whiidi  he  threat- 
mied  retaliation  on  th'>  .\merican  v  iijeH 
of  ()e;densburLr  and  Hamilton  on  the  St. 
iiawreuce.  .^b^ior  Holmes,  a  widl  inforiiK^l 
younsT  u'etitleiuan.  Jusiilied  his  priiceedini;;s 
as  authori/.ed  hy  the  laws  id'  le^jitimate 
warfare,  and  Sinclair  reminded  iMchouall 
of  the  excesses  cominitted  by  the  iiritisli 
on  both  (Mir  Indian  and  maritime  frontiers. 
As  is  common  in  controversies  hetween 
-Vinericans  and  Enulish.  by  public  written 
corn'spondenee,  the  lolVicr  Lny;lisli  insist- 
ance  triumphi^d.  Commodore  Simdair  and 
Colonel  Cro^'han  conseiued  to  jitiy  the 
extortion  of  fifty  cents  a  pound  for  some 
sick  cattle,  the  same  day  that  I'olonid  Dick- 
son, at  the  head  id'  his  Lidian  warriors,  as 
was  said  and  e-enerally  credited,  al'ter  Cro- 
irlian's  rejiulse,  tortured  the  American  pri- 
sonei's,  and  inanji'led  thidr  dead. 

AVIien  the  s(|uadron  at  hmjith  arrived  at 
Michiliniacinac,  they  found  the  Ibatish 
passiiisi'  boats  full  of  men  from  that  place 
to  l\ound  l.dand,  a  small  island  not  far  off, 
which  they  thus  previMited  Croirhan's  takini; 
possession  of.  Colonel  Crojjiian  instantly 
jiroposed  to  attack  Michiliniacinac,  striji- 
)ied  of  its  did'euders.  lUit  Sinclair  would 
not  venture'  to  ex]iose  his  vessels  to  the 
lofty  batteries  whicdi  tov'ered  a  hundred 
feet  ahove  their  decks,  an  elevation  from 
whiidi  they  could  fire  |ioint  blank  on  tho 
vessels,  without  their  lieiin;'  able,  as  was 
apprelu'iuled,  to  return  a  sinL:;le  shot.  'I'o 
that  omission  instantly  to  attack  Miidiili- 
nnicinac,  sonic  id'  the  land  officers  ascribed 
the  failure  of  the  enter,  I'ise.  On  the  4tli 
of  Auji-iist,  is  14,  the  troops  were  well 
landed  on  a  tine  opi'ii  beach  without  molest- 
atiiMi  or  ditliculty.  ami  forthwith  marclieil 
to  attack  the  IJritish.  fortified  beyond  a 
densi!  wood.  Major  llolnies  was  in  the 
iidvance  on  the  ri'^^ht.  eallnntly  leadini!; — a 
promisin;j;  idticer  bei'riended  hy  .ietferson. 
("aptaiii  \'auhovn  led  the  lelt.  Our  artillery 
was  commanded  l.v  Mr.  JMcket,  who  has 
since  represented  tin*  I'nited  States  at  one 
of  the  South  American  iJepiihlics.  Colonel 
Crosihan  was  at  his  post  in  the  rear  full 
of  ardor,  and  soldierly  beariivj;.  Ibit  there 
was  in  fact  no  battle.  thoui;h  the  Americans 
were  ri'pulsed  after  losinfi;  siano  do/eii 
ofticers  and  men  killed,  and  ahout  forty 
wounded.  jV  thiid;  wood  id'  dwarf  trees, 
with  loiiii;  low  projectint;'  limlis,  interrupted 
the  adv.ince  of  our  troojis,  crowdeil  them 
to;;'ether  and  Confused  their  mandi.  'i'lio 
same  thick  woods  were  a  perfect  cover  to 
the  Indian  skirmishers,  concealed  amou)^ 
the  trees,  in  the  cowardly  amhiish  from 
w  hi'  h  tlii'v  d(dii!;ht  to  kill  ami  dread  to 
leave  for  the  exposure  of  an  open  field.  A 
littlu  Indian  bov,  nut  more  tliau  ton  yoar.s 


[1814. 


Chap.  III.] 


STORES  AT  XATEWASAGA. 
— « — 


77- 


f'rom 

'illl     to 

.1.     A 

yoai'8 


■I 


(if  a.ijo,  fn  in  witliin  ton  1' ct  of  Major  i  iihtc  siiddoi  chiuigo  of  wind.  Siu  li  wiis 
llidiiii's,  jiici'ccd  liis  luvast  V  ith  tw:i  halls,  j  the  j('(i|iaril,v,  that  tutal  loss  schmucU  incvita- 
wliicli  stnick  iilin  dciid.  ("iiptaiu  Vanliorii  I  hie  of  nearly  all  tlio  advi'iiturcis  oC  the  ill- 
uas  kiilcil  at  tlv  sanic  iiKniictit  Icadiii;^  tiic  I  fated  oxpcdition,  when  a  nicro  (law  of  wind 
left,  and  <'atitain  Desha,  staiidinji;  near  |  eiialdcd  them  to  save  tli(Mns(dv('s. 
Major  Holmes,  so  !sev(  i-(dy  Wounded  in  the  ;  On  the  l.'Uh  .S('[iteml)er,  a  detachment 
{jroin  as  to  disalde  iiini,  tliouu;h  he  relused  I  und'-r  Ciijitain  (Jratiot  landed  near  tho 
to  h'avo  llie  jiTound.  lli^  was,  1  iudieve.  ;  mouth  (d'  the  \atewasaj;;a  river,  and  suc- 
1h('  hrother  (d'  (itinera!  I>ksha,  one  of  the  I  eceded  in  (h'strnyinj;  six  nmnths'  sii|(]dies 
Kentnekv  memliers  cd' th(.'  Ilduse  (d' Jlepre- ;(d'  jirovisions  dejiosited  tliiM'c  for  tr;ins- 
sontalives  in  \f<H,  and  afterwards  repre- j  jiortation  to  Miehilimneinae.  Entirely  do- 
Hunted  a  District  in  Congress  from  another    jiendent  on  those  suiiplics,  tliat  phu'e'was 


State.  Disconrajned  by  the  d(>ath  ol'  their 
lead(«H  in  the  advance,  llohues  and  Van- 
horn,  and  the  inahility,  from  his  wound,  (d' 
Desha,  and  the  men  l)''ii\;.''  all  crowtled  to^i'e- 
ther  l)y  the  low  hrani  lies  of  thick  wonds 
s(!omin;i;ly  lille(l  with  sharji  sho(derH,  invisi- 
h\o,  w  hosi'  d(?structive  Krc  our  men  could  not 
return,  tla^  rei!;ulavs  I'ldl  into  confusion.  Ool. 
(h-o;ih;in  led  on  ('ot^rove's  militia  re;:;iment, 
who  Ijravtdy  nnived  u|>  to  tho  rescue  (d'  tlu 


thus  lielieved  to  lie  at  length  r('duced,  at 
any  rate  renilev(Ml  uscdess  hy  this  destruc- 
tion, provided  tho  fi;arrison  were  (h^prived 
of  till'  means  of  repairinjr  their  'lestidition. 
l''or  this  |iur|iose,  l.ieutenant  Daniel  'i'uruer 
was  left  !iy  ('ommodore  Sim  lair  with  two 
of  the  schooner.s  of  IVi'ry's  s(|uadron,  tho 
Tif!;ress  and  Scorpion,  distinguished  Imth, 
and*  one  under  Lioutenant  'I'urncr's  com- 
mand, at  tho  hattleof  Lake  Erie.     His  por- 


rejjular  troops.     l>nt  the  Colonel  considered  >  om])tory    oiders   ■were,  that,  as   it  was  all 


it  too  ha/.!irdi!us  under  such  circumstances 
to  ])ers(>vero.  Tiie onset  failed,  the  men  were 
discoiirajfod  and  diseontented  ;  it  was  risk- 
in;'  too  nmch  to  march  throu;.';h  woods,  in 
themselves  a  serious  ohstaide,  from  hehind 
every  tree  of  which  a  ritlo  was  supposed  to 
lie  leveled  in  tho  dark,  and  after  ^cdtin^ 
throu;;;h  tin;  woods,  then  to  .attack  the  en- 
trenched iiritish.ahontninehundred  strong-, 
whiidi  was  the  total  of  the  American  force. 
Colonel  (^'o^ha.n,  therefore,  orderoil  a  re- 
treat, which  the  encniy  sutfci'ed  without  in- 
terruption, leaving;  tlie  American  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  ^r.iniid.  It  was  said,  that 
they  were  suhjeeted  to  the  usual  cannihal 
liaiharities  of  the  Indian  triumph,  the  dead 
mutilated,  the  wound-'d  murdered,  the 
hearts  id'  sonn'?  of  them  cut  out  and  de- 
voured. But  t^aptain  (iratiot,  wdio  next 
day  went  with  a  (la;;-ol'  trnc(>  for  tiie  liodics, 
does  not  confirm  this  imputation.  On  the 
contrary,  he  was  treated  hy  Colonel  Mc- 
l)onall  with  ^reat  attention  a,nd  kindness, 
and  )a"<dfered  whatever  (Mml'orts  the  Hn^- 
lish  stiu'os  all'orded.  llohiu^s'  liody  was 
found,  as  left  the  day  hefore,  coveri'd  with 
leaves  liy  (!olone!  Croirhan's  \ihu-\i  servant. 
With  that  nnf.iitunate  skirmish  the  ex- 
pedition ended,  the  tr(o|)s  rc-emli;irked,  and 
soon  after  the  sipindron  set  sail  on  the  re- 
turn to  Detroit.  IJiit  misfortune  marked 
every  sta;i;o  |iy  watiu-  as  well  as  hy  land  of  an 
unlucky  enterprise,  to  which  even  the  ele- 
ments were  adverse.  A  violent  storm  (Vi'.r- 
took  the  sipnidron  sailin;j;  down  the  perilous 
waters  of  i^ake  Huron,  wliich  destroyed  all 
their  lioats,  save  om;  that  was  picked  up  hy 
their  vigilant  and  imhd'atij^alde  enemies, 
the  plank  of  their  rescue  and  of  onr  almost 
niiraculouH  a\i<i  complete  disiiomliture. — 
Perry's  <M)?isec,rated  .ship,  the  Nia^'ara, 
with  four  hundred  ro'fular  troo|is  on  hoard, 
was  saved  from  doskruidiou  on  that  iron- 
bound  coast  of  perpendicular  rocks   by  a 


imj)oi  taut  to  cut  the  enemy's  line  of  com- 
munication from  Michiiimacinac  to  York, 
throu,i;h  the  Xatewasiijca  river,  Eako  Sin- 
clair, &c.,  and  on  which  his  very  existence 
depended,  therefore  Lieutenant  Turner  was 
to  remain  in  the  nnaith  of  that  river  with 
his  schooners,  and  keep  up  a  ri^id  blockade 
until  driven  i'rom  the  J^ake  by  the  incle- 
mency of  the  season,  suffering  not  a  boat 
or  canoe  to  jiafs  in  or  out  of  the  river. 
Lest  the  enemy's  desjieration  should  iniluce 
him  to  attcni'd  boardin;;  Turner's  schoon- 
ers liy  surprise  in  the  ni^ht,  as  the  block- 
ade must  starve  Michilinmcinne  to  rair- 
render  in  the  sprinsr,  Conunodore  Sin- 
(dair  particularly  warned  Lieutenant  Turn- 
er ap;ainst  such  attempts.  IJut  disasters 
nnirked  every  staire  id'  the  expedition,  and 
theblockade,  like  the  battle,  the  weather.aiid 
the  niivi^ation,  combined  to  doom  Ameri- 
can disparaiiomcnt  and  decree  Mnuli,-di  tri- 
uin(di.  Lieutenant  Worsley,  of  the  Knjflish 
mivy,  in  charge  of  the  stores  dcstroye'd  by 
Captain  (iratiot.  escaped  into  the  woods, 
and  in  spite  of  whatever  bloekade  Lieute- 
nant Turner  now  maintained  (d'  the  Nato- 
wasa-a,  on  which  all  depended,  the  Ihip;- 
lish  lieutenant,  nnire  adroit,  enterprising, 
or  fortunate,  idfected  his  passa^-e  in  iin  open 
boat  to  Michilimaiiiiae.  'I'hat  boat,  sup- 
poseiHo  bo  one  of  those  belon,uin^  to  tho 
.\merican  ships  lost  in  the  Ktorm  a  f'w  davs 
belore,  picked  up  by  some  wanderiii;::  In- 
dians, was  placed  at  Lieutenant  W'orsley's 
service;  by  which  mere  casmillv,  furnished 
with  intelli;>;i'nceof  his  irreparable  loss  and 
the  desperation  of  his  coiidili,.n.  Colonel 
.McDouall  went  to  work  with  commensur- 
ate ardor  to  repair  tho  disaster.  'l"ho 
boat  was  employed  stealthily  liy  day  and 
iii^ht  to  doi;  the  American  sqmidron'  as  it 
slowly  and  dangerously  made  its  w  iiy  down 
the  lake.  Meantinn^,  four  biilteaii'x  were 
littcd    and  oiiuipped    at    Alichiliniaciuac, 


J,.- 


1 1 ., 


i:.] 


'  lit-:  I 


a : 


9H. ' 


78  CAPTURE  OF  THE  TIGRESS  AND  SCORPIOX.  [1814. 

— ♦ 
mannoil  by  soventy  of  tho  host  L;ilco  watiM-  I  si<^iial  was  paasoil.     Tho  mon  for  tho  vos- 


nion  and  raiif^ors,  witli  a  (lotacliniciit  of  In- 
dians, coiuiiian(l(>(l  liy  tin?  notorious  Colonol  | 
Dicksdn,  wiio  aotod  as  tlio  marines  of  tho  ! 
8f[na'lvon.  On  tlio  first  of  S('pt('nil)('r.  ! 
Lieutenant  Worsicy  cnibarkeil  on  one  of 
tho  most  adventurous  and  successful  iiruisos  . 


sels  were  picked  V»y  Commodore  Sinclair 
from  his  si|uadron,  twenty-tive  men  added 
to  the  ori^final  crews  of  tiio  schooners,  ami 
Colonel  Croirhan  furnished  some  of  his  Ijost 
soldiers  as  marines.  Still  the  Hritish  much 
outnumliered  tho  Americans,  thou«;h   that 


of  tho  British  marine  during  that  era  of;  liy  no  means  detracts  from  tlie  <;allantry  of 
its  first  odipso.  Tho  Lake  was  fogity.  tho  j  tho  Enj^lish  exploit.  Althoup;ii  tho  Scor- 
nij^hts  dark,  and  oven  l»y  day  the  navij;a-  j  pion  was  provided  with  boardinjj  nottinj];, 
tion  difficult.  If  tho  schooners  discov(!red  j  and,  in  all  respects,  prepared  liy  C'ommo- 
tho  battoaux  before  they  descried  tho  i  doro  Sintdair  for  tho  apprehended  on<lea- 
schoonors,  tho  latter  might  overhaul,  and  |  vors  of  tho  enemy  to  prevent  so  groat  a 
with  their  artillery,  sink  their  eneini(!S  ;  hindrance  as  tho  blockade,  yet  the  Tigress, 
without  a  contest.  Tho  blockade  being  '  after  passing  the  whole  night  not  far  from 
raised,  the  schooners  had  separated,  and  '  tho  Scorpion  at  aiudior,  next  morning 
tho  Tigress  cruised  among  the  numerous  i  weighed  anchor,  set  ail  sail,  swept  down 
islands  which  diversify  those  wat(>rs.  On  \  on  the  Scorpion,  fired  into,  l)oardod  and 
a  cloudy  and  dismal  night,  tlio  Jbl  of  Sop-  i 
tembor.  Lieutenant  AVorsb>y,  having  warily  S 


rcconnoiterod  and  ascertained  the  situafrion 
of  the  Tigress,  with  the  utmost  silence, 
dexterity,  and  celerity,  approached  by 
moans  of  his  oars,  without  being  detected, 
as  the  Tigress  lay  at  anchor  off  St.  Josejihs, 
and  with  a  tiger's  bound  his  watermen  and 
Indians  leaped  on  board.      SailintJ-master 


capturtnl  her  almost  before  it  was  reported 
to  Lieutenant  Turner,  who  was  below,  that 
an  enemy  was  thus  suddenly  upon  him. 
Not  an  American  officer  was  on  deck  at  the 
moment ;  the  capture  of  tho  Scorpion  was 
as  easy  and  quick  as  it  was  creditable  to 
Engli>!i  enterprise.  Throughout  tho  war 
no  action  of  the  British  navy  was  moro 
conformable  with  its  well-earned  glorj'than 


Champlain,     tho    American     commander,  I  that  little  enterprise  on  Lake  Huron,  which 
though  completely  surprised,  made  the  best  |  was  muc'    extolled,   and,  indetMl,  exagge- 


resistance  in  his  power  umlor  such  circnm 
stances  against  greatly  superior  numbers, 
and  did  not  surrender  till  several  of  his 
men  were  killed  or  wounded,  himself  se- 
verely. Having  thus  carried  one  of  tho 
vessels,  Lieutenant  Worsley  instantly  re- 
solved with  that  one  to  engage  and  take 
tho     other.       Tho     Scorpion,    Lieutenant 


rated  ))y  Canadian  accounts,  but  not  more 
oxtolle(l  than  it  merited,  (.'olonel  McDou- 
all's  whole  campaign,  by  land  and  water, 
was  a  series  of  highly  (creditable  success ; 
while  that  of  the  combined  American  forces 
was  at  least  unlucky.  Two  of  Perry's  ves- 
sels were  lost  un(ler  mortifying  circum- 
stances.    The  young  hero  of  Sandusky, to 


Turner's  vessel,  had  a  long  tw(dv(;-pounder  j  whom  we  wore  beholden  for  tho  first  west- 
more  than  the  Tigress,  whiidi  vessel  mount- 
ed but  one  small  gun,  and  nothing  would 
have  been  easier,  but  for  the  tide  of  ill  luck, 
than  for  the  Scorpion  to  subdue  the  Tigress. 
On  tho  evening  of  the  oth  of  Si'ptemlier, 
flushed  with  su(M'e.ss  and  deserving  it. 
Lieutenant  Worsley,  with  a  light  wind, 
anchored  the  Tigress  not  far  from  tho  Scor- 
pion.    He  had  taken  the  signals,  and  no    Atlantic  occurrences,  ei^pocially  in  Europe. 


orn  victory,  was  unfortunate  at  Michili- 
macinac.  Tho  navy,  till  then,  notwith- 
standing the  ill-fated  Chesapeake,  every- 
where superior  to  that  of  (Ireat  Britain, 
did  not  maintain  its  shining  reputation. 
Those  distant  operation-!,  far  b(>vond  tho 
outskirts  of  civilization,  however,  maile  less 
sensation,  and  wore  l(>ss  notici'd  than  our 


CHAPTER  IV. 


\m 


CANADIVN  PARLIAMKNT  —  FA'FXUTinXS  — INDIAN  COUNCIL  —  AMERICAN  TREATY 
WIPH  INDIANS— ENI.I.ISII  INDIAN  PENSIONS— AMEHU'AN  THOOl'S— WAR  SPIRIT— 
SMALL  WAREAUE  — SHERWOODS  INCURSION  —  HOLM  ES'  KXPEDII'ION  — PETTI- 
PAUfi— AMERICAN  PLANS  OK  CAMPAKIN— HROWN'S  MARCH  TO  SACKETT'S  HAR- 
BOR—WILKINSON'S TO  PLATTSUURO— PRINOS  ATTACK  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN— 
BRITISH  ATTACK  OTSEC.O— RRITISH  SURPRISED  AND  CAPTURED  AT  SANDY  CREEK 
—WILKINSON'S  REPULSE  AP  LA  COLE  MILI RROWN'S  CANADIAN  CAMPAIGN- 
CAPTURE  OF  FORT  ERIE— BATTLPIS  OF  CHIPPEWA  AND  BRIDGEWATER. 

The  Canadian  Parliament  assembled  at  tutions  and  languages, — French,  English 
Quebec,  tho  i;Uh  January,  1H14,  much  less  and  Americans,  in  the  petpulation  and  go- 
united  or  tractable  than  Congress,  but  more  !  vornment,  striving  betwe(!n  a  House  of 
liberal  in  grants  of  men  aixl  nion(>y  for  the  |  Representatives,  indig^nous,  elective*  and 
war.     The  colonial  coullict  of  races,  iusti- '  free,  and  u  Senate,  European,  oxocufcivo  and 


[1814. 


Chap.  IV.] 


IXDIAX  TREATIES. 

— ♦— 


79 


M 


irresponsihlo,  with  a  vi«'oroy  over  all,  diil  i  Imided  with  prosonts  for  tlio  Indians  liovoinl 
not,  amid  tlio  contests  of  tho  session,  pre-' 
vent  vijiorons  and  salutary  lojjislation.     The 


Canadian  miiitary  estahlisluuent  v.-as  niueli 
more  respectable  than  that  of  th(>  United 
States.  Six  hattalions  of  eniliodieil  militia, 
nearly  four  thousand  stron;^,  other  militia 
and  provincial  cor[>s,  frontier  lij^ht  infant- 
ry, voltig<'urs.  and  lake  sailors,  at  least 
as  jjood  as  the  common  British  seamen, 
constituted  altof^ether,  with  their  Indian 
allies,  a  consideralile  force,  better  disci- 
plined and  more  obedient  than  ours.  With 
the  larj^o  number  of  veteran  troops  trans- 
ferred that  summer  from  Kui'opo  to  Ame- 
rica, aft(?r  the  con(|uest  of  Franco,  England 
had  military  means  for  tho  def(>nco  of 
(Canada  supiu'ior  to  ours  for  its  conquest. 
English  tenure  of  French  Canadian  colonies, 
always  precarious,  was  iKner  more  so  than 
when  the  American  Republic  was  vainly 
endeavoring,  by  arms,  to  force  its  laws 
where  its  free  princijdes  and  pojmlation 
abound.  That  large  reinforcements  of  vete- 
ran troops  from  Kuropo  were  tinndy  suc- 
cois,  was  shown  l)y  tin;  trials,  in  Maj-,  of  no 
less  than  Hft(>en  of  the  inhabitants  of  I'pper 
Canada  for  high  treason,  by  a  special  court 
at  Ancast(>r,  und(>r  Lieutenant-dentn'al 
Drummond's  administration  of  th(>  I'pjvn- 
Provinces  of  whom  eight  were  executed  by 
hanging,  at  Burlington,  the  12th  Jul;., 
1814,  just  between  Brown's  two  victories, 
the  oth  and  2;5th  of  that  month.  In  the 
midst  of  these  i-iuelties,  and  notwithstand- 
ing Brown's  triumph,  the  Cananian  popu- 
lation was  not  only  kept  in  submission,  but 
its  representatives  in  the  local  parliami'nt 
voted  ample  means,  which  their  servants  in 
arms  a])pliiMl  with  vigor  and  success  to  de- 
feat much  desired  liberation  from  colonial 
thrahlom. 

On  the  ir,th  March,  1814,  an  emhassy  of 
chiefs  and  warriors  from  tho  Ottawas, 
('hippewas,  Shawnee^s,  Delaware's,  Mo- 
hawks, Sacs,  Foxes,  Kickapoos  and  Winne- 
l)ag()es,  northern  Indians,  visited  (.Quebec, 
ami  held  an  imi>osing  council  with  the 
Governor-! ieneral.  Sir  George  Prevost.  in 
the  Castle  of  St.  Louis.  At  that  talk  the 
savages  urged  their  rigiit  by  English  co- 
operation to  recovei'y  of  the  lantls  taken 
fi"om  them  by  tiie  Americans,  and  they  re- 
quired their  old  boumlaries.  The  Prince 
Regent's  vii.'fUMj^-  assured  those  vagrant 
landlords  of  the  wild(Tn<;ss,  that  their  fa- 
ther, the  King  of  Great  Britain,  considered 
them  all  his  children,  and  woulil  not  forget 
them  whcneviir  ])eace  was  made  with  the 
Unit(>d  States,  against  whom  he  expected 
the  Indians  to  persevere  in  hostilities.  Jlis 
excellency  cond(ded  with  them  on  tho  death 
of  General  Tei-umseh,  to  whose  blanketed 
brown  sister  Lady  Prevost,  representing  the 
fair  sex  of  (ireat  Britain,  jiresented  mourn- 
ing dresses  and  ornannuits.  (!olon(d  Dick- 
Sou  was  sur.t  from  t^uobec  to  tho  uorth-wost, 


Lakes  Miidngtui  and  IlMron.  who  were  ca- 
resseil  and  courteil  by  all  the  mi>ans  of 
English  conciliation. 

Next  month  Louis  the  Eighteenth,  with 
his  family,  attendc^l  a  chapter  of  Knights 
of  the  Gtirter,  at  Carlton  [Inus(>,  the  pala(>o 
of  tho  Pi'inco  Regent,  in  London,  where, 
surrounded  by  peers,  prelates,  judges  and 
ladies,  that  order  of  knighthood  was  con- 
ferred on  tho  King  of  France,  who,  in  re- 
turn, conferred  the  order  of  the  llidy  (>host 
on  tho  regent's  l)rother,  the  Duke  of  York. 
Swords,  ribbons,  jjorsonal  ornaments  and 
lands  were  the  rewards  by  which  princes  and 
savage  warriors  wore  alike  encouraged  to 
i>xposo  life  in  battle  ;  the  Indian  and  royal 
ceremonials  not  very  difTerent  on  the  two 
continents,  at  London  and  Quebec  ;  and  tho 
philosophy  of  the  whole  much  the  same. 

Indian  hostilities  always  among  the  most 
terrible  of  British  warfare  against  Ami'rica, 
after  that  congress  of  tho  allied  powei's,  In- 
dian and  English  at  (Quebec,  were  jirovided 
■against  on  our  part  by  a  commission,  con- 
sisting of  General  Harrison,  (iovernor  .Shel- 
by, and  C(donel  Johnson,  appointed  liy  the 
President,  in  June,  liSH,  to  treat  with  the 
north-w(>stern  Indians,  at  tireenville.  Shel- 
by and  Johnson  d((clining  to  serve,  (ienerals 
<'ass  and  .Vdair  were  substituted  ;  but  Gon. 
Adair  did  not  attend.  From  tho  20th  of 
Juno  till  July,  LSI4,  (jenerals  Harrison  and 
Cass  Veceived  the  tribes  to  the  numljor  of 
one  thousand  warriors,  with  throe  thousand 
foUowers,  most  of  whom  had  boon  employed 
with  tho  English  in  tho  war  against  tho 
United  States  ;  who  engaged  to  take  up  tlie 
tomahawk  against  their  old  allies.  But 
most  of  tho  Pottowatamies,  Winnebagoos, 
and  Chippewas  persisted  in  their  English 
alliance  offensive  and  defensive.  By  tho 
treaty  of  tho  same  name,  negotiated  at  the 
same  place  in  IT'.l"),  these  Indians  had 
stipulated  to  renuiin  at  peace  and  neutral 
in  the  event  of  war  with  Englaml.  They 
desired  neutrality  in  1x14,  which  was  re- 
fused, l)ocause  they  had,  in  violation  of  tho 
treaty  of  171''),  taken  up  arms  against  us. 
From  that  time  during  the  rest  of  tho  con- 
flict, the  Indians  (jcased  to  b.>  formidable  ; 
their  power,  numbers,  spirit  and  character 
reduced  and  degraded  by  American  resist- 
ance to  English  subornation.  At  Ghent  a 
faint  eft'ort  was  nuide  for  their  protection, 
but  forthwith  rejected  on  our  part  and  aban- 
doned forever. 

Harrison  in  the  north  west,  in  I'^lo,  and 
Jackson  in  the  south,  in  181.'*,  '14,  broke 
up  tho  Indian  confederates  of  England,  and 
deprive(l  lier  forever  of  that  Canadian  reli- 
ance, of  whose  atrocious  coalition  a  Lon- 
don journal  boasted  that,  "with  patriotism 
that  would  do  honor  to  men  that  pretend 
to  bo  more  enlightened,  they  joined  tJio 
tomahawk  and  scal|)ing  knife  to  t\w.  bayo- 
uot   aud   sword,  and  swelled   tho   British 


:te 


•II 


80 


HOLMES'  EXPEDITION. 

— « — 


[1814. 


CnAr, 


■i  ■ 


■  1 

■V 


4  J 


uliout  of  victory  with  tlio  yoU  of  the  Indian  I  Cornwall,    in   Uppor   rann<1;i,    to   Mailrifl, 
war  \vh<)o)i."     'I'lK-ro  was  reason    to  hope    ivhoiit  fonrtci'n  miles  from  llamiiton, 'loth 

towns  on  that  rivr.  and  eapturoil  a  quaii- 
tity  of  ^oods  taken  from  Canada  *'ie  priM-cd- 


tliat  the  Canadian  j:;overnin<'nt,  l)"f  iro  llai 
rison's  ii'id  .larkson's  extcrniinatinj:;  reac- 
tion, had  lici'onie  son-'''  e  of  the  inhiituaniiy 
of  Indian  warfare.  On  tlu;  Hdth  of  .Inly, 
ISl.'),  a  hoard  of  officers,  convene(l  hy  Mie 
(iovernor-liencral  of  Canada  at  tin;  iiead 
quarters,  St.  l>avid's,  presided  hy  General 
Vincent,  took  into  eonsideration  the  claims 
of  the  I  ndi;in  warriors  to  hea<l  nion<*y  for 
jirisoiicrs  (d'  war,  and  made  provision  r)r 
those  disahled  in  S(!rviee ;  thi^  rates  of  j  a- 
sions  were  fixed  for  the  wounded  am'  \v!- 
dows  of  the  slain,  to;fether  with  iri;  ■ 
money  {\\v  tlie  c  pture  of  Detroit:  ii.  nh  . 
to  Soften,  said  the  order  puhlished  h_>  Ad- 
jutant-General Daynt's,  which  was  conlirmcd 
l)y  the  En;;lish  (Jovernnient,  and  restrain 
the  Indian  warriors  in  (hidr  conduct  to- 
wards such  Americans  as  should  ho  made 
their  ))rison('rs  of  war. 

Our  American  militia,  were  he;iiunin,£;  to 
1)0  ashann.'d  of  constitutional  scruples,  th(> 
volunteers  to  1  arn  that  suhiirdination  and 
patience  are  military  virtues  as  essential  as 
ooura;:;e  and  hard  hood,  while  the  spirit 
of  the  olfn-ei,,  "f  the  ri^;:;ular  army  was 
1)rav(dy  Inioyant  ai  ,'  enter]irisin<j; ;  undis- 
mayed l>y  two  years  of  discoura^enuMits, 
oaj^er  for  further  trials,  and  resolved  to  re- 
deem the  national  eiiaraeter.  Instead  of 
l)ein<5  disheartened  l>y  continual  reverses 
indicatin-i;  incuralde  national  inferiority,  as 
their  proud  enemies  hoasted,  the  AuKjrican 
inheritance  of  Eni;lis!i  I'ortitude,  added  to 
the  more  alert  and  inteHie;(>nt  courajre  of 
the  natives  of  this  country,  front  n^jieated 
diseomfiture,  roused  it  to  more  strenui)us 
and  sueeessl'ul  eii'ort.     The  war  to()  riad  he- 


ini^  Octolicr.  The  15ritish,  alsi,,  surprised 
at  ni;.';ht  and  citptnred  liieutenant  Lowrdl 
with  thirty  of  our  men,  stationed  on  the 
Thames  river,  hidow  the  .Moravian  town. 
Caittain  lica,  of  the  .Michijiiin  .Mounted  Ran- 
!i;ers,  made  prisonc-rs  (d'  Colonel  IJahy,  Ma- 
jor 'l'owlej%  and  Captain  Spriii'^er,  fif  the 
C'anailian  militia,  with  some  others.  Tow- 
ley  and  8|)rin^er  were  horn  in  the  United 
.States,  and  heeomlnjj;  Uritish  Canailian  suh- 
jects,  were  amonj^  the  most  etlicient  and 
vindictive  of  the  partisans  against  us. 
Frontier  incursions  and  liarharities.  hlended 
with  treasonahle  intercoin'se  ami  su]iidies, 
were  disjiustino;  incidents  of  neijrhhorhood 
hetween  liordiu'injj;  people  of  tin;  same  fami- 
ly, who  fo\i:i;ht  and  fed  eacdi  other  with 
similar,  yet  various  fortuni-.  avarice,  and 
ferocity ;  the  Canadians,  whether  of  British, 
Fren(di,  or  American  pedij;ree,  less  disloyal 
or  covetous,  hut  niitro  sanguinary  than  their 
American  (>neniies. 

Colonel  A.  15utler,  of  the  Second  Hiflo 
Heiriment,  lUimmandinii;  at  Petroit,  on  the 
21st  of  Fehrnary,  iSld,  res<dved  on  a  stroke 
at  some  ^A'  the  en(Mni(>s'  posts  in  that  (|uar- 
ter,  (hvspatcdicfl  Cajitain  .\.  II.  Holmes,  of 
the  24th  Infantry,  with  small  detaehmenta 
from  the  2(ilh,  27th,  and  2«th  ree-imi-nts, 
to  attack  Fort  Talhot,  ahout  one  hundred 
miles  down  Lake  Erie,  helow  JNIaiden,  or 
Delaware,  as  Ik;  miiLlit  tdioese.  Fallen  tim- 
her,  had  roads,  winter  weather,  and  other 
impediments,  comiielleil  Captain  llolnn^s  to 
leav!>  the  two  pieces  of  artillery  he  took 
with    him    and    depend    on    his    musketry 


come  dcd'ensive,  althoiii^h  we  <Mintinm'd  to  |  alone.  Captain  Gee,  with  his  company  of 
pro(daini  and  pre]>are  for  the  invasion  oi" 
Canada.  Suhduini;  the  fli^ets  and  vaiKpiish- 
ing  the  armic^s  on  its  lak(;s  atid  shor(!s  were 
defensive  rathi"''  than  oif(Misive  o|i(M'ations. 
Gre;it  l>ritain,  hy  large  th  ets  and  fonjes, 
assailed  the  United  States  at  all  points,  in 
New  Englaml,  X(;\v  York,  Mavyland,  Vir- 
ginia, and  all  the  southern  st.ites  ;  eyery- 
wher(!  Euro|t(>an  tronjis  wen;  the  assailants 
and  instnu'tors  of  ours,  train]iling  upon 
u.se'os8  disalfection,  eorrohorating  patriotic 
union  rin<l  ex(>rtion,  rousing  national  enthu- 
siasm, diseountenancing  the  pai'ty  divisions 
whicdi  had  heen  our  fetters  am'  Iier  strength. 
The  evident'  I'ritish  sucicess  was  completed, 
and  ours  hegan  wdien  her  iiori/on  was  fair- 
est, hut  all  the  depths  of  sentiment,  if  not 
jiower,  were  ours. 

Sevtiral  smaller  exjieditions  and  encoun- 
ters pr<!ceded  the  (!anadian  campaign,  whicii 
l)egan  in  July,  ISI  1. 

On  the  night  (d'  the  fith  of  Ftdtrnary, 
1S14,  (Japtiin  Sherwood,  of  tin;  I'ritish 
(piartermaster-general's  department,  with 
Cajttain  Kerr,  and  a  few  nnirines  and  mili- 
tia, cryswcd  the  river   St.  Lawrcueo,  from 


Kangers,  and  (^a[itaMi  Leo  with  a  troop  of 
Michigan  cavalry,  join(;d  Holmes'  detach- 
ment, whiidi  soon  got  within  striking  dis- 
tani;e  of  a  superior  IJritish  force,  a  light 
company  of  the  Uoyal  Scots,  another  (d' the 
S'.Mh  regimetit,  Cald\\<drs  Indians,  and 
.Mctiregor's  Canadian  Hangers,  not  less  than 
three  huiulreil  good  troops,  fresh  from  their 
harracks,  wcdl  found  in  all  respects,  high 
spirited,  and  commanded  liy  Captain  I5ar.s- 
den  of  the  SUth  rr'giment.  Holmes'  nu'n  had 
suffer(;d  so  mucdi  frimi  fatigue  and  expojure, 
that  se\(;ral  had  heen  sent  home,  and  of  the 
rest,  altogether  ahout  onelnmdred  and  sixty, 
tuany  strnngly  (  pposed  lighting  a  force  so 
superiiM' to  their  own.  iJut  Holmes  nd  his 
ailintant.  Heard,  a  grandsini  of  the  famous 
rifleman,  (J(Mi(;ral  Morgan,  (H>uld  not  hrook 
retniat  without  eomhat,  and  resolved  on  vii;- 
tory  or  death,  whi(di  nnndi  ofteniM'  leads  to 
victory  than  death.  Aftersome  timespent  in 
marches,  countermiircdies  and  manoaivreH 
that  would  not  have;  heen  discri>di(ahh;  to 
celehrateil  commanders,  the  mutually  w<dl 
r(;s(dved  leaders  of  miniature  armies  met  on 
the  4th  March,  1S14,  at  a  place  called  Leug- 


Chap.  TV.] 


OSWi:(!0  ATTACKED. 
— « — 


81 


t'' 


T\-()ip(1.  wlicrc  tl)o  Biliisli.  iiftcr  Viiiiily  trvinir 
todi'MW  the  Aiiicririiiis  into  (liNMilvaiitMncuus 

ndiiiii,  wcTi'   iiiilii(i'!l   to  iitt;ii'k  tlici II- 

trciii'lii''!   ami  pri'|i!ircil    lor  tlicii-  siipcrioi- 

iissililanls.      >Vl'ti'l'    l'('|p(';it(Ml    oiivliiiiLlllts    ;it 

ol(]S"  (|ii!(rti'i'-i,  liravciv  iii.'ii!''  iiii'l  n'|ii'll<'il, 
till'  l>riti.-li  were  ili  I'lMti'd,  -with  tlu'  loss  of 
liftwocii  ci^lity  iinil  ninety  iiirii,  nr.irly  ouc- 
tiiinl  ol'  t'u'  wiioli',  iiirliiiliiiii-  ( 'a|ii;iiii  -ioliii- 
stoiK^  iiiul  l/u'Ulciiaiit  (irn'iiic.  kilii'fi,  while 
tlio  Aniericaii  loss  was  lait  six  or  seven,  • 
anil  tiiey  caiitiin.Ml  one  linmlreil  cattle.  For 
this  liarliinu'er  of  onr  \  iituvies  tiiat  year. 
Ciiptiiin  Holmes  was  fortlnvith  iiiailc  a  ma- 
jor. It  was  his  further  pioil  fortune  tiiat 
ills  victory  was  eonfisseil  in  British  jjene- 
ral  (inlers,  |piil)lislii'(l  at  (^hie)iec  the  ISth 
March,  ltsl4;  acknowleil^inient  so  nniVe- 
f|iieiit  anion;;'  all  com'iatants,  that  even  in- 
(liviilnals.  much  less  armies,  si'liloin  coui.-eile 
tlieir  own  iliscouilitiire. 

The  atieni|'t:   lo  coui|ner  Caiiaila  ]iroveil 
such    toial,    iii>';j;racel'iil,    ami    inex|iliciilile 
failiiii-i,  that  while  the  army  ivas  more  ex-' 
cited  liiaii  ilisconra;rei!,  the   Kxeimtive  was  | 
iliscontentei]  and    silrinkin^  lik"    a    hnrntj 
child  tliiit  di'i'ads  the  fire,     (leiii'rals  ,\rm-' 
sti'oii'j;  and   A\'ilkiiison    bitterly  iijiliraideil 
each  other,   the  country  Mameil  both,   the 
President  trusted  neither,  while  schemes  for 
a  tliird  Cduuiian  canijiai^'^n  were  s\i<r;J!ested, 
(|Uestioned.  iiondered,  and  rejected.     Wil- 
kinsoiiV  army  was  somewhat  comfortalily  ' 
cantoned  at  French  !Mills,  where  he  erected! 
extcn>/\e  ainl  exjicnsive  f|iiarters,  foi'tilied. 
and   left  them   to   visit   Alhany,   ami    plan 
winter   expeditions  with  (iuveriior    Tomp- 
kins. ! 

Thedeneral's  scliem(\  in  wliiidi  he  said 
th(>  (i.cvriiior  concurred,   was    to  surprise 
I'rescult,  wliM'c  he  slid  the  enemy  lia.d  hut  | 
a  few  hundred  men,  ill  fortilieij  or  prepared  ' 
lor  attack,  ami  thus  sever  r])per  ami  Lower  ' 
Canada  asunder.    The  Secretary's  plan  tiiat 
year,  a-  ihe  year  lud'ore,  was  to  attaidi    the 
enemy  at  Kin^'ston,  tl'(>  head-quarter'  of  liis 
naval,  and  ?n  imjiortant  station  of  his  luili- ; 
tary,  sirei-.i.';tli  ami  opera  t  ions.!,  ml  oM-rpowi'r  i 
his     pi'i.n-iiial    ))ost   hefore    'einforcemelits  | 
could    oe   received.     The    I'rcsident's   plan  ' 
Avas    to    attack    nowhere,    hut    jiauso    and  [ 
think.    The  tei'riide  catastrophe  of  the  jirior  ^ 
autumn,  ex'.endini;-  Irom  St.  l!(>i.';is  to  .Viaira- 
ra,  cimclndinn'  Wilkinson's  and  llumpt(iir'- 
iii'tiominioiis  miscarriap's,  lirouLiht  him  (o 
a  delermlnatlon  to  stand,  on  tlie  defensive 
meridy,  and  attempt  nothiii;;-  I'lirther.    Ame- 
rican   disaster-,    vviili    I'orniidaMi'    threats 
from  Iviiiiland,   and  tidini^'s    from    Fin'ope, 
reduced  our  plans  and  posture  to  the  merely  \ 
(lefi^n.sive.     On  the  2d -January.  IS  Id,  there- 
fore,   'Wilkinson    was    directed    to    detach 
I'rown,  -with  two  thousand  men,  tti  Sacketl's  ; 
Ifai'hor,  for  the  itrotectioii  of  that  place,  and  ; 
with  fho  rest  of  his  army,  ahandoniniv  iiis 
position  on  Salmon  river,   to   fall  haek   to 
riattslmr;^',  and  rest  uu  his  unas  tliore.  Tho 
6 


Secretary  deemed  U  il':insiin's  po-ition  nri 
Salmon  river.  I  ho  11  oil  furl  i  lied,  insecuve:  anil 
the  o\e)wli(dmIii'i;  tiiumpli<  o|'  Kii'ilaiid  in 
F.iirope.  coiiipierin'j;  peac  there,  tlireati  iieil 
imasion  of  \ew  ^  oik  liy  I'iattsliur;;'.  witli 
a  ujiinen  ted  hostile  loices  in  Canada,  transfer- 
red from  France,  as  to(di  place  in  Scptemher. 
On  the  loth  of  Fehruary,  IJrowii  marche.l 
accordiii;.;ly  for  Sacki  It's  ilarlior,  and  W  l\- 
kinsoii  aiti'i'wards.  with  the  rest  of  thearmy, 
to  the  horilers  of  Lake  Chainpl.i'o.  Ju  tho 
latter  eiivl  of  that  month.  Armstiiuiu',  on  th« 
imiiicement  of  conlideniial  and  crediMo  in- 
Ibrmation  of  the  exposure  of  Kineston,  viitn 
the  lleet  and  juihlie  stores  tliei'e,  to  easy 
capture,  th.ero  lieinu;  only  tx'.ejvo  hundred 
ineii  ill  f;arrison,  without  the  p"S.sihility  of 
reinforcement  or  supplies  till  dime,  aj;airi 
sii^!xe>te<l  an  expeditioii  there:  ami  on  tlm 
-!Mh  of  [''ehniary,  Isld,  din  cted  lirown  to 
undei-;ake  it:  hut  to  mask  the  enterprise 
liy  aii)ieara)ices  of  its  heiiii;  intendod  to  re- 
take l'"oit  Xiauara,  towuriis  whiidi  ho  ^^as 
to  mandi.  iii  order  to  jironioto  that  decop- 
tion.  Diit  in  the  opinions  of  Ceneral  l>rown 
and  Comiiioiloi'e  ('haiincey,  four  thousaml 
men,  the  dispipsaMe  force,  was  iiieflicient, 
the  ilouhtl'iil  condiiion  of  the  ice  unfavor- 
ahle.  and  the  i'resideut,  extrenndy  apprr- 
heiisive  of  all  hazardous  iiiidert;ikin;js,  so 
unlii(d<y  in  that  ipiarter.  rcadilv  rejected 
the  SI  liemo  on  these  doubts  of  ns  best  of- 
ficer on  the  s]iot. 

As  our  troops  did  not  attack  i\iii<iston, 
the  enemy,  always  more  eiiteiprisin:;-  and 
assailant,  executed  an  assault  under  (Jenc- 
ral  Ih'iimmond  and  Comin.Hlore  Yeo.  from 
that  place,  on  Oswei^'o,  a  station  wdiere  larji;o 
i|uaiitities  of  stores  ami  provisions,  onli- 
naiiceand  naval  iipiipments  were  eolloctod 
for  additional  sujiplies  to  Sackett's  Harbor. 
Lake  Ontario  cleared  of  ice,  became  navi- 
,:;able  about  the  i:.')t!i  of  .\  prii,  Js  14.  On  tlia 
rill  of  .May  all  exjiedition  sailed  from  Iviun's- 
toii,  consistine;  of  infantry,  artillery,  rock- 
eteers, sappers,  miiiei's.  and  marines,  which 
arrived  next  day  off  C)swe;;-o.  near  the  east- 
ern end  of  Lake  Ontario.  From  tho  indi- 
cations at  Kinjrston,  (ienoral  Hrmvu  acci- 
dentally at  Sackett's  Harbor  anticip-'itinf 
tho  attempt  on  Oswej;o.  disjiatdied  four 
companies  of  heavy  ami  one  of  lioht  artil- 
lery, under  Lieutenant-Cidomd  (;.  S.  ^Mit- 
cliell,  of  the  first  artilh'iy,  who  reaidied  Os- 
we;iotlie  oUtli  (dWpril.  On  the  fith  of  May 
ihe  eni'iiiy.  coiimianded  by  Ihaimmoiid  and 
^  eo,  attempted  a  lamliiiii',  Imt  were  I'c- 
pnlsed  :  ami  not  belli;;-  favored  by  tho  wind, 
ilrew  oil',  for  lietter  ancliora,2.e.  '  \?xt  day 
they  renewed  the  attempt,  ami  sui'ceedeii, 
but  without  any  imjiortaiit  resnlr,  and  willi 
cri'dlt  lo  the  American  avnis.  Tiie  I'ritish, 
not  less  than  iiftoon  liiindred  soldiers,  ma- 
rines, and  scanion,  wore  courageously  and 
judiciously  resisted  by  .Mitchell,  Mith  less 
than  four  hundred  siddiers  and  sailors,  siip- 
pui'ted  i)y  sumo  uf  the  uoij^hboring  militia, 


.4- 


m 


:*/W 


~         It 

H    I 


I'  \  l>    \ 


I- 


1i^ 


'    It 


nuiTisir  r.\T'T(i!i:p. 

sliiii't  ii('ti((.>    t'.'    •lie  '  II-    ('xpi'vii'iici'd    111 
In    t;iki'    iiiti't.      Mitel'   il  1  witli   11   hriuiulc 


[1814. 


82 

wild   ri'pii'r<  il  1)11 
coiint(  r,  iiiixi{iiis 

I'cTiri'il  ill  ^'11(11!  ni'ili'T  fVoin  ii  ili!:i|iii!:iic(l  i'-i-- 
tiliciitiiiii,  uikI  r.'ll  l)ai'l<  li.;iitiii:r,  t'lwarils  tin' 
H]M)t  iiilaii:!.  tliirh'i'ii  iiiilrs  ii|i  tlii'  Sen  i-.i 
rivur.  at  tlip  tails,  wlio'c  tin'  stoic-^  wcii' 
il(')Misiti'il,  Heme  I'l' wiili'li  ti-il  Into  till'  liainN 

(if  the  en 'iiiv.  wlidsc  Ih^s  In  killed  and  ti  II  III' tills  annaiiii'iit.  i'iiilI.s|M'ii<iiM<- to  (iiip 
Viiiindi'd  Avas  iiiiictv-liuir.  luid  lUiis  sixty.  '  S(|iiadr(in.  Ui'sidi's  sailui'.s,  ('ii|,iaiii  \\  nlsov 
(.";i|itaiii  lloifawMy.  nftlK'  Kii.;:lisli  marl,'  -s,  '  liiid  mu'  liimdri'd  ami  tliirtv  ril!<'inrn  umli.'V 
was  killi'd.  ('ti)ituiiis  licdp'rjivi'w .  .Mill.  ;:s-  .Major  A|iliiit;'.  of  the  lirst  ri-ii'  r-iiu'iit, 
ti'r.  and  i'ojiliam,  Ijii'iitenants  .Mavaml  (ii  ,1-  dlsirilnited  as  a  ;iiiard  in  lib  l.ali-'  ■.' ,  anil 
fitli.  (if  tlii>  navy,  woumlt'd.  in  a  -!iar|)  con- ;  a  )iarty  olOm-ida  Indians,  led  uy  J.ioatc'iant 

Hill,  oftlic  I'iilo  nifi'mient,  |i!ii'.  oi' the  /ay, 
to  ill-company  tlio  iioatss  on  .-dioic.     .\!'((  t- 


laki^  n!\\iy,iit!on.  set  sail 
of  iiini'ti'i'ii  lioats.  loadt.'d 
with  I'ovty-eitrlit  lii'axy  sliip  eaniioiis.  ealilcs 
and  other  ai'tleles  lor  SaekeitV  llarhor. 
The  utmost  dlspati  li.  secrecy  and  even  de- 
ceptlon  (o|'  the  ciii'iny  liy  circulating'  laisL' 
■iiinoi's).  were  necessai'v  to  the  transportii- 


flict.  well  contested,  for  which  iiiciitcmini- 
Colonel  3Htcli(dl  wa><  coii;|iliniciiti'il,  in 
general  orders,  liy<!enoral  iSiiiwn,  and  lii'; - 
Vcttei]  colonel.  1'lie  oiiemy.  lia\Ini>;  dis- 
iniintli  d  the  fort,  destroyed  the  hariiiks. 
ami  liii; .  'it  the  dead,  retiirneil  on  the  7th  <  '' 
ISIay  t  1  lvin;.fston,  al'tcr  an  niiprolitahle  ■  x- 
cni'.sii.ti, 

/.liont  :i;csiinio  tlmo  the  Mnyli-!!  nnxiil 
comnrindci"  on  L.ikc  (.'hmnplain,  ('a)itaiii 
]'rin;r,  .sailed  fi  'in  l-]>  .u\  .\oIx.  on  tlie'.hh 
of -May.  1S14,  viitli  aih  ■:•.  liim  nt  of  iinirim's 
to  captui'e  or  destnr  '!i.'  in  w  .Vniericce 
vessels  jitsr  '.■innciii'd  nt  A  er;v(  .,n'^s.  and   t  i 

intended 


|itsr  [■uinclii'd  nt  A  eri^j  .,!)■ 

'      :,die. 


reconmiitei  oij:,'  i.nil  a'-''in't:ilnii' .;  that  tlio 
coast  was  cl'Mv,  tlio  I'oats  set  cil'  at  dark, 
and  rlilemcn  us  well  iis  fiailors  woikin;; 
li;Mil  at  the  i':'.vs.  In  il  dcliip'  of  rain,  they 
.'i'ot  to  Iti;;-  Salnioii  I'ivor  ul  d:'y-ii;:,iii,  on  the 
'I'.Hh. — all  excr-jit  oiii'  hoat,  \rhicii.  in  spito 
cl'  1  ider  iiiid  cx(-i'tIiois  to  keep  the  hi'In'iido 
a-  coiii)iact  ns  jiossildo,  fell  into  liio  lia'  's 
o^  iho  watchf'il  cm  i;  y.  ('it  that  oliU'c  ti!c 
Inil'.aiis  jolin 'I ;  and  Uiijitaiii  Wnl-i'v  took 
Ills  lioats  alioiit  two  miles  up  Itii;-  Sandy 
Creek,  there  to  repose  liii-'(ly  from  lidiorious 
lUiil    ha/.aidoiis  duty.     The  ciiptnrcd   lioiit 


iirtercept  (lie  storo>  timl 

for  their  eiiniiiinciU.    Hii  ih'    ]4th  of  Miiy.  1  imide  known,  however.  It)  the  JJritisii  coni- 
Cajifiln  J'ruijj;  ajipeaved   'if  tnc   month   of  ]  modorc  tlnit  there  were  more  sit  hiind  ;  and 

he  dispatched  Ciiptiiliis  l*i'ph;un  iuid  .Splls 


Otter  * 'reek,  il  !■  dd  ^tr('.lill,  where  .Nlaciio- 
noiijili's  sf|nadron  was  iiit'xl  for  Its  lirll- 
liant  exploit,  soon  after,  near  I'laltsliiirLc. 
The  Miemy  !iad  his  new  dri;;-  and  sexeral 
slooji..  at  hand  s-i  support  the  ei^ht  <ralleys, 


biirv  of  the  royal  nav\  with  three  i!j;un- 
lioats,  three  cutters  and  a  ;.';i<i,  to  cajitiire  a 
)iri/.i',  on  which  tiie  mi\ai  sniiremacy  on 
Lake  Ontario,  that  campaiun.  ]irolialily  do- 


wlth  a  lioinl)  vessel  which  made  the  attark.  peiided.  ('ajitiiin A\'olscy  jnndcntly  sent  to 
Captain  Thornton,  of  tlie  artillery,  'iml  liie\i-  ■  Siickctt's  llarlmr.  sixteen  mi-.s  distant,  for 
tenant  < 'ass,  of  tliv'  navy,  comniamled  the  '  reinforcements.  Coinniodore  Chaiincey  Iiii- 
j\merlcan  hattery.  .Many  shells  were  lodged  Iniedliitely  dlsjiatclied  Cajitiiln  Smith  witli 
in  fli"  )i!U'a]>et.  but  no  mati'ilal  damaii'c  i  one  hundred  and  twenty  marines:  iind  (le- 
done.  Colonel  ])avis  was  iiihantiieconsly  i  inM-al  (iain(>s  iidded  a  sipiadron  of  caviilry 
piisteii  ill  receive  the  enemy  if  he  landed.      '  under  Cajitain  Harris,  and  Captain  -McKin 

After  an  hour  and  a  half's  ineffectual  \  with  it  coni)iany  of  lle;lit  tirtillerv.  who  sir- 
lioinliardment  the  iisstiilaiirs  drew  o)f,  ami  rived  in  time  to  protect  the  lioals.  'J'ho 
passinji  liy  ijiirline'ton.  returned  11)1  the  lake  IJrltish,  Inivint;-  reconnolti'red,  resolved  on 
to  the  Isle  aux  Xoix,  leavln<r.  in  their  jire- { iui  imniedlateiittack.  Captains  AVolsey  and 
oipitate  retreat,  two  tine  mw-hoats,  shot ,  Harris  deemed  It  host  not  to  display  their 
loose  from  their  barges  by  the  fire  from  oiir  ]  force,  lest  it  should  deter  the  enemy's  iit- 
liattery.  On  their  retreat  up  the  narrow  \  tempt.  The  riflemen  were  therefore  jii- 
lake  the  <;alleys  were  fired  upon,  hai'iissed  ^llcioiisly  jicstcd  In  anibiiNh  half-a-mile  lie- 
.ind  cut  up  by  militia  from  shore.  .\t  (ill-  i  low  the  boats.  The  iirtillcry,  cavalry  and 
leland's  Creek,  where  they  landed  to  cap- j  seamen  kept  out  of  view.  1'lie  enemy  went 
ture  the  Hour  from  some  mills,  many  of  the  u]i  the  ia\er,  with  their  ij;uiiboats.  cutters 
mini  of  two  of  the  jj-alleys  were  killed  or  i  and  jjiu:.  landed  on  both  sides  to  prevent  any 
wounded.  1'he  enterprise  more  than  fail- j  esi'ape,  iind  were  about  jiossessinp;  theni- 
cd :  It  was  completely  defeated.  The  com- 1  sehcs  of  their  Miluable  prize,  when  the 
liiander,  I'riii;;'.  was  sent  to  Montreal  and  rlilemcn  rose  from  concealment  :ind  ]ionrcd 
tried  for  nilscondnct.  In   the  deadly  tire  which   Is  so  iniicli  more 

'i'iie  ib'Itlsh  s(|iiadi'on  h,i\iii;r.  by  out- i  fatiil  than  tliat  of  musketry;  sailors  on 
liuildin;C  ours,  the  ascendant  on  iiake  On- i  shore,  moreover,  ncNcr  feclinij;  as  eonfi- 
tario,  threatened  several  .\merieau  |ilaces  i  dent  as  on  their  iiccustomed  element.  In 
on  the  lake,  and  kept  (dose  watch  to  Inter- 1  ten  niliintes  they  all  surrendered  at  dlsero- 
copt  supidles  }:'oIii,L!;  from  Oswejco  for  the  tion,  with  midshipman  lloare  and  fourteen 
e(|iilpment  of  the  new  Anierlciin  vessels  seamen  and  niiirlnes  killed.  Captains  i'op- 
launched  at  Sackett's  Harbor :  which  place  I  ham  and  Spilshnry.  Liciitemints  Cox  and 
it  blockaded  on  the 'JSth  May,  ISll.  Caj.ttiln  |  l\aL':h  of  the  marines,  with  twenty-six  men 
'>Volsey,  of  the   navy,  long  emphiyed   and  i  wounded,  and  the  Avhole  luirty,  gun-boat.s, 


fi 


'4 

f 


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IS  14. 

t      Silil 


Cii.M'.  IV. T 


WILKINSON  i;i;]>n,si;i». 


8.". 


iiiidcil 

I'lllllcH 

arlii'i'. 

'11   ilij- 

.-  I'iiImc 

|lnrtil- 

tn  (ilir 

^•^J 

M.llt, 

J' 

' ,  iiiid 

\'h 

K'-saut 

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■  .'iiV, 

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.\  fat- 
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s|iit(! 

I 


1iiiv;!;i'H  mill  111),  uith   iicai'ly   twn  liimilrcil 
nu'ii,  ciiiitiiri'il,  witlioiit  tlu'  luss  dl'  a  iiimii  on 

()111'  f-illl'.  Mini  cilllv  "lie  WdlMlili'd.       l'"(ll'    tlli^^ 

•vvfil-ii'iiiliKti'il  Mii'|prisi'  iiinl  ciiiitiin'.  .AliijdV  ; 
Ajiliiiii;   WHS    lircvcttcil    liciitriiimt-i'nlipiii'i. 
('ii|itiiin    l'ii]iliain,  in   liis  i.tlicial    i-cii(,|-t  nl' 
tills    iiii^f'iirtiiiic    ti>    ('iiiiiiiiipildrc    Vco.  ac- 
kiinwlccljii'il    -.vith    llic   :vaniii"-t    jiralitiuli' 
till'  liiiiuaiic  cxcrtiiins  ot'  tlic  Aiiicricaii  -iHi- 
ccrs  111'  the  I'itlf  ('(irjis   in   sa\iiij;'  tin-   lives  , 
of  many  df"  tin-   Mii^ilisli  nfKccrs  anil   men  ■ 
(lovdtrd  til  .'^laii;iliti'i',  saiil  liis  r('|idi't.  liy  the 
i\nii'rii'an  nnldiers  ami  Iiulians.    Tlii'  ( )iii'iila 
Indians  witi'  first  to  sci/i-  tlic  Kn^lisli  wlii'ii  '■ 
tlii'V  siiiTi'ndi'i'cd  and  (lis)i(isi'd,  as,  cLtlii'ri'n- 
cmirap'il  "i"  )n'i'niiit('il   hy  i'ln^iisli  nfliicrs, 
ai    llaisin,    jjiiilald,    Ijcwistown,   and    itliiT 
placi's  IVt'sli    in    universal    rccdilectidn,  tn 
massacre  ciljitives  :  IjIiI  tliey  were  |ii'evented 
by  t!ie  Aniei-ican  nHicers.     Ti  was  an  ini'ic- ] 
nerdiis  as  widl  as   unjust  as)iersidP  iif  the  ! 
liritish  cdnnnander  iin;:;ratei'nlly.  with   his 
ackiidwledji-nient   nf  that   inter|idsitidn.    td 
Cdii]ile  the  eahiinny  that   the  sdl(|ier>  wire 
as  savage  as  the   Indians.      .\d  in-taiiee  dl'; 
snidi    liarharity  is   ini|iiitalile    td    men   tdd 
justly   shdcked    at    Mntilish   eiinnixanee    in 
siuli  endiinities  tn   jiractiee   tlieiii.  and    tnn  ] 
liiinilily  Sdlicitdiis  df  J'lii^lish  ;ini;d  ii|iinidn 
thus  td  (iirleit  it.  j 

AVilkinsiin's  remise  at  La  <'dle  Mill  was  ] 
the  last  df  diir  <     naiiian  disastei's,  and  id'I 
his  iiiilltary  sri'viee.     His  little  army,  fiinr  ; 
thdiisand  str  injr,  in  Man-li,  ISll.  was  con-' 
centrated  a,  the  villaiie  df  ( 'liam)ilaiii,  tliree  ' 
miles  IVdin  tlie  lake  slitire,   and  diie   frinn 
the  ili\  idin;;' line  )ietw,>en  the  Cniti'd  States 
and  Canada,  tn  <>;ive  the  enemy  liattle.  if  he 
Wdiild  venture  frum  his  fastnesses  tn  ini^ot 
our  fdiv  ev,  sii|ii'ridr  in  nnmljers,  in  the  d|ien  i 
field,  whirh  was  iniiirdlialile,  dr  tii  furtify 
lidiise's    pdint   with  a   Inittery  that    wmild 
pre\rnt.  as  was  certilied   hy  the  eniiiiieer,  | 
the    ISritish    si|iiadrdn.    then    nearly   ready  t 
fur  aetidii,  friiin  eiiterinji'  Lake  ''hani|dain.  j 
Early    in    that    miinth,    liriiiiidier-deiieral 
ISIardiiili,  with  twd  thdnsand  men,  erdssed  j 
the  lakeoii  the  ice,  entered  St.  .Vniand's  in  I 
Canada,  staid   there  several   days  Avithunt  ' 
further  nidvement  iir  any  nidle-^iatinn.  and  i 
rotnrned   tn  (ieneral  MilkiiiMin,  wild  liad  | 
then  the  three  hriuiades  iif  (Jcnerals  Smith.  ; 
Bissell    and    .Macdinli,  all    full  ef  cdiirap'.  ' 
arddr  and  devdtinn  :  excellent  trudjis  as  far: 
as  cduld  lie  witlidiit  (>x|ierience,  wliiidi  was  j 
ciinlined  td  their  ciimmander-in-cliief  alune.  | 
Forty  years  liefure,  lie  had  visited  the  same 
coniiiry  a^  Ca|itain  AN'ilkinsdii.  aid-de-camii  i 
to  15riuadiei'-(  ieneral  lleiieclict  .\rndhLdnej 
of  the  most   enterprising;    .\iiierican  ji'eiie- , 
rals,  as  Wilkiiiscin,  then  like  lliill  and  i>ear- ■ 
Ijorn.  was  a  vdiiny;  oflicer  of  u'i'eat  i^'omise.  | 

On  the  il'jth   .March,    Isl  l',  a  council  ,d' 
•war,  at  wliiidi  (Ieneral  \\'ilkinsiui   was  not, 
pi'osent,  hut  whoso  judgment  Avas  immedi- 
ately made  known  td  and  approved  hv  him.  ! 
reso'lved  to  attiiek  La  Cole  .Mill,  the  wall  of! 


which,  it  was  said iiM  lie  easily  hreadied 

liy  li;;hl  cannon.  One  dl'  the ollicer-  |ire-i>nt 
kiii'W  the  mill,  had  lieeii  in  it.  and  no  doiilit 
was  entertiiiiieil  of  takniu'  it.  I'lit  lo  \■^^\i■\• 
the  artillerists,  it  was  deemed  prudent  to 

take  aldO;:'  se\eial  liiindles  df  packeil  liav, 
df  >vliicli  there  were  many  stiired  in  the  \il- 
la;^'e,  td  serve  as  liall-pi'dof  jirotectioii  from 
the  enemy's  musketry,  'i'hal  part  ol'lhc  plan 
made  no  impre-sion  on  the  (leneral's  mind  ; 
jperhajis  lie  considered  it  useless:  on  his 
court-martial.  In'  ilcnied  it  alto^icihcr:  hut 
the  en^iineer  dfiicer,  .Major  'I'otteii,  is  positivo 
tli.it  it  was  to  liave  heen  done  next  day,  .'Kith 
Manh,  Ls'll;  when  the  army  marcheil 
without  the  hay.  led  \,\  ('oidiiel  Clarke,  iiml 
.Major  I'orsyth,  in  the  aihaiice,  who  had  a 
sharp  skirmi-l)  on  the  main  rotid,  which 
rendered  it  necessary  to  dejiliiy  two  of  the 
hriirades,  and  occasioned  much  lost  time. 
The  main  road  to  Canada  was  im]pussahl<', 
friim  dlistructidn  hy  felled  trees.  At  tldle- 
town,  the  (ieneral  caused  one  of  the  many 
liersdus  df  tliiit  name  there,  to  he  placi'd  he- 
tweeii  two  drfiifoons,  and  forced  to  show  the 
wwx  to  the  mill,  to  which  that  mail  for  three 
mill's  traversi'd  the  forest,  hy  a  very  crooked 
jiath.  only  wide  enmieh  tn  allnw  the  pass- 
a^i'e  dl'  the  small  slei;:lis  of  the  coimtry. 
The  heaviest  (Million,  an  ei;i:lite('n  jiounder, 
hroke  down  in  the  miry  ground,  hetween 
the  main  ro.id  and  the  wood,  (ieneral  AV'il- 
kiiison's  military  sei;retarv.  Captain  IMae- 
liherson,  who  vdlunteereil  to  take  clnirjre  of 
a  twelve  pounder,  ;;-ot  it  forward  with  j^reiit 
difficulty  andlalior:  the  wheels  contimiallv 
cdiniii;;'  in  contact  with  trees  on  hoth  sides 
of  the  mad.  liientenaiit  Larihhee  ooii- 
du('t<'(l  a  howit/.er  in  like  manner.  But 
iuiother  twelve  piiund  ,;:nii,  althou;:h  the 
party  in  char^re  of  it  were  directed  hy  the 
chief  of  the  artillery,  diil  not  reach  the  front 
at  all.  And  there  was  a  second  sharp  en- 
counter in  the  forest-path,  hefoie  the  e'uns 
wen^  allowed  td  he  carried  furward.  The 
hest  ]ilac('  in  the  clearinir  that  cmild  lie 
found,  was  selected  liy  Captain  Macphersoii 
for  the  hattei-y  ;  hut.  unfortunately  so  near 
the  mill,  as  to  he  exposed  to  such  iiriMvith- 
out  cover,  as  no  troops  can  hear.  Of  the 
twenty  men  and  three  oHiccrs  at  the  Ji'uiis, 
two  of  the  ollicers  were  severely  woiindod, 
and  i''ourteeii  of  the  men  either  killed  or 
Wounded.  The  mill  was  defended  hy  Jlajoi" 
liandcdck  and  some  two  hundred  men, 
whose  firin;;  was  incessant,  aectirate  aiul 
destruetive.  l''rdni  a  eiin-hoat,  and  also 
fmm  dth.er  places,  the  enemy  kept  up,  more- 
dver,  a  fatal  fire;  hesides,  se\ei'al  times, 
with  the  utiiidst  i;allantry.  riishin;;  furwaril 
to  seize  the  American  <;uns  ;  in  which 
iittem|its,  however,  they  were  as  hravely 
re]iulsed  hy  our  troops,  ■whose  eonduetj 
tliroui;hout  the  whole  eiij;a!;eiiient  was  ex- 
cellent. The  twelve  jiounder  ami  howit- 
zers continued  their  ilischarsres,  as  their 
ofHcer.'i  lliittered  themselves,  with  good  ef- 


'*  ^'i'  ^ 
;"'i-.'. 


"'  *  S^ 
>  •'■.' 


4  :. 


K^: 


5f 


tl: 


ii.^ 


■jr 

.ml 


84  PETTflMXC.  [1814. 

— *- — 

fccf;  wliicli  til"  ilr<]irr,ii(' ciriiit-idf  111.'  ciK'- '  in.itr"  rcjini  ti'd  tliat  it  wax  iitti'ilv  iiii)ivui!- 
]iiy  to  si'i/.i)  Jiiiil  s|iiki'  our  raiiiioii,  sci'inrd  |  tiiulili'  to  iiiiircli   iorwanl   or  ri'iirw  llit(  iit- 

to  jiisiily.     As   our    ti |is   arrhcil,    tlirv    Iriiiiit  on   the  inill.    This  xcriiiil  ililu;;<' was 

woro  Mtatioiicil  |pr.iiii|illy  mill  ill  Jjood  order,  soon  lolluwcd  l>y  tlic  ojioniny;  of  tlii^  lake 
80  as  to  jircvoiit  tilt'  cscaiic  id'  (lii'  ;j:arri>oii  id'  wliicli  tlic  cin'iiiy  had  coiniiiaiid.  and  it 
or  siici'or  to  it;  and,  also,  to  In'  ready  lor  I  wiis  hut  coninion  ]iriid('in'o  I'or  (iriicral 
the  a'^-aiilt.  wlifiii'vcr  till' time  for  it  should  I  Wilkinson    to   witlidrMW  his    armv   ^\ithiu 


1m!  lUinolllieed.  Tile  troii|is  sfnod  in  snow 
nlimit  one  loot  deep,  and  in  u  forest  so 
dense,  that  seareely  any  <d'  them  eould  .••ee 
the  mill  at  all.  IVoin  whieh  a  dtsjierate  sor- 
tie of  a  I'ouiih'  of  eonijiaiiies,  had  nearly 
reaidied  lair  jcims,  to  caiitiire  them,  liefore 
they  were  perceived,  and  driven  liack  hy 
(lur  troops,  who  were  so  ineoiiinioded  hy  the 
trees,  as  to  lieohiiiced  often  ti  stoop  very  low, 
in  order  to  tire  with  any  ell'ect.  Liirildiee 
Iiad  hardly  j'liiied  M  upiieisoii  willi  Ids  liow- 
it/.er,  wiieii  a  iiiii:-ket-lpall  jiieried  hi>  hreast. 
^  'lieli  was  immediately  e\lracted  i«y  the 
)<ur;;(>on,  from  lietween  his  sluadder  lilades  : 
in  a  lew  days  he  had  (piite  reeovered,  and 
is  liviii,i;  now  a  respectalde  farniin'  in  Con- 
neetieiit.  M.'r|ilierson  was  soon  liit  liy  a 
]iassiii:i;  hall,  under  the  idiin,  whi.di  he  dis- 
retrardi'd,  and  eoutiinied  willi  jrreat  itniiua- 
tioii,  to  serve  his  piece,  till  struclc  dnwii  hy 
a  dreadt'ul  shot  in  the  hip,  IVom  which  he 
never  riH-oviM'ed.  lie  snrviveil,  indeed,  se- 
veral years,  liut  always  a  niiseralde  criiiide, 
kindly  sent  liy  I'resi  h'lit  .Madison,  as  ('m- 
sul  to  ^^adeira,  in  a  vain  attenuit  to  ri'co\  er 
his  ,-hattered  health,  which  continually 
tailed,  'till  that  alile  officer  and  amialile 
iiontleman  snlfen'd  a  iircmatiirc?  deatli. 


onr  own  horders.  On  his  court  miirtial  at 
Trov,  soiiiethiii;i;  censorious  was  said  ol'  not 
settinj;-  tire  to  the  roof  id'  the  mill  hy  red 
hot  shot,  and  also  id'  not  co\erini:'  the  ai'til- 
lerists  with  materials  to  he  found  on  the 
H'roiind,  lint  snow  was  tho  only  niatei'ial 
there,  and  if  there  had  been  red  hot  shot, 
they  could  not  lie  lod;;;ed  on  the  roid',  heciiuso 
it  was  ini|iossilde  so  to  jioiiit  the  ^uns  as  to 
strike  or  aim  at  it.  The  rcpidse  was  one 
(d'  those  misforiu'.ies  A\  liicli,  peiliaps,  more 
foresi;;lit  niiiiht  lia\c  prevented,  lail  which, 
nncx|iecled  and  morlil'yini;  as  it  v.-as,  was 
no  discredit  to  the  Ameriitan  amis,  vvliile  it 
left  soniethiiiji;  in  dispute  hetwceii  the  cn- 
!iineers  and  th<^  cinnmandin'i;  iienei'al,  ho 
deidarin^i'  that  he  perl'ornieil  the  e;;pediti(>u 
to  ilraw  olf  the  enemy's  ntti'iitioii  from 
whatever  miy;lit  lie  Oeiicral  l>rowii's  de- 
sijjus  on  Lake  Ontario,  and  )nirsu:int,  as 
Wilkinson  supposid,  to  the  wish  and  jilan 
of  the  Secretary  id'  \\  ar,  whii  h  the  ."^ecre- 
ttiry  positively  denied  hy  a  pulilicalioii  in 
the  pulilic  prints. 

That  unlucky  renewal  of  Wilkinson's 
attempt  on  ('auada,  superadded  to  his 
in;:lorious  discoiuliture  the  autumn  he- 
fore,  induced  him   to  retire  I'rom   the  coni- 


Undc 


destructive  a  lire  as  tlie  JJi'itish  i  nu: 


nniintainod,  the  artillery  oliicers  were  ot' 
opinion  that  heavier  jruns  would  have  lieen 
of  no  avail.  To  ni:ike  a  hreaidi  in  the  wall, 
oven  if  niuidi  thinner  than  it  was,  it  would 
have  lieen  ni'eessary  to  ]>!ant  in  it  many 
balls  near  to  each  other,  whereas  .-carcely 
any  of  them  struck  tlu'  w.ill  at  all,  as  it  was 
impossihie  to  point  or  aim  the  cannon  v.ith 
precision  under  the  storm  of  bullets  and 
accurate  {jrinji;  of  the  British,  v.hich  no 
troo])s  could  stand,  exp-'Si'il.  ii.<  (e.u's  wci'e,  to 
certain  de.stniction.  Xl^h!  was  coiuiii  i' on  : 
it  was  too  jilain  nothin;^;  had  m'  co:iid  lie 
done,  and  the  .i;vncra!  drew  oif  his  di.-ap- 
pointed  troops  in  perfect  order  and  dclllie- 
ratinn.  cncampinj;'  fheui  for  the  ni'i;!it  near 
the  jioint  in  O  lietuwn  where  the  Mill  ro.vd 
tliv 'r.'ies  from  the  ni.iin  road,  (ieneral 
Wilkinson   must  have   been  aware   of  tin; 


(d'  the  ariiiv,  and  demand    a    court 


martial  by  which  he  was  tried  and  acipiit- 
ted,  hut  I'O  ni.'ver  regained  th<i  contideneo 
of  the  ^xoveriiment  or  the  connti'y,  and  was 
unavoidably  left  oui  of  the  army  when  it 
was  reduced  to  ten  thousand  men,  and  two 
major-generals  at  the    leace. 

One  (d'  the  best  colcliictid  euferjiri-es  of 
the  Ihiulish  marine  was,  safely  to  th  'iii,  with 
considi'rible  American  loss,  accompli.--lied 
on  the  Sth  of  A\,v\\,  IS14,  when,  after 
midni^rht,  n  detaclmient  of  two  hniidrcd 
men,  i'rom  (he  blockadine-  si|uailron,  idV 
Xi'W  London,  in  six  boats,  entered  (.'on- 
nec'ticnt  river,  landiMlat  Saybrook,  disarmed 
tlie  ^mall  battery  there,  and  re-emliarkinu', 
went  ei;i;ht  miles  u]i  the  river  to  I'i'tiipuiiL', 
where  tiiey  l.inded  aj^aiu  and  burned  tv.cn- 
ty,  some  (d'  them  vahailde  vessels.  'I'hey 
spunt  the  mornine;  there,  the  seamen  eujoy- 
canse  of  his  mishap,  the  whole  matter  turn-  I  in;ithems(dves  ]dayin;i'  ball.  ])itchine-  ipioils, 
inj^  on  a  small  point  of  detail  wliiidi  should  I  and  other  amnsements,  while  the  (dticers 
have  been,  but  nnlnekily  was  not,  pnniiled  i  :-np"i'intended  tie!  i-oiilla;xiation,  whiidi  was 
for  in  the  first  instance,  auil  no  ilonbt  in- 1  done  with  kind  expressions  to  tln'  inhabit- 
tended  to  renew  the  atta(d<  next  day  with  j  ants,  staving-  in  sevi'ral  lioj^sheads  of  rum, 
the  bundles  of  hay  or  other  protection  for  i  lest,  as  the  connnandine;  olHcer  said,  it 
his  artillery,  and  nothin:.';  contiii;j;i'ut  could  mi;;lit  intoxicate  hi.s  men,  and  stoppin;^ 
be  morii  certain  than  tics  success  of  a  r.'-  the  burning;  of  two  vessels  on  the  stocks 
newed  attack.  IJiit  that  nijj,ht  torrents  of  for  fear  of  ilseir  ,soUin;>;  fire  to  the  neiirh- 
rain  fell,  tIl(^  snow  midti'd,  the  whole  forest  borinj;'  bulldin;i;M.  The  country  round 
was  flooded  with  a  sn'^tratiim  of  liasin  was  soon  alarmed:  some  volunteers  with 
like  ico,    and    tin;    oltic!  rs  .scat   to  rocon- 1  arms,  liy  noon  rc[iaircd  from  Is'-'W  London 


th. 


»mmm 


lsl4. 


CUAP.  IV.] 


CANADIAN-  CAMPAKiX. 


83 


nml  Killinj'swovtli.  fnUuwoil  in  tlic  nffiT- 
iiiiiin  liv  (li't.'ii'limriit>i  li'iiiu  tlic  Miiicild- 
liiaii,  tliidcr  (':i]it;iiri  JhIm  s  iukI  llinl'T  ( '11)1- 
taiii  liiiiilli'  IViiiii  tin-  llcriii'r.  At  iii;ilit. 
vlicti  till'  oiiciiiy  siill  I'l'iiiaiiiril,  III)  Aiiirri- 
caii  victovv  fHjcini'd  (•crtiiin.  ISiit  lit  nine 
o'cliick,  wiicn  it  WHS  cxtninclv  diirk,  tiik- 
inii;  iiilvaiitii^ic.  of  a  frcslii't  in  tlio  river,  the 
lucky  imiiilcrs,  without  the  least  noise,  or 
jiuiliiif;'  ail  oar.  lait  swil'tly  liorni*  away  011 
till'  to))  of  the  flooil.  (loati'il  out  of  ri'urli : 
just  as  tlii'V  clearcil,  tlio  Anu'viran  I'ort'es 
saluliuu;  tiiem  witli  tliree  li.'iirty  valcilic- 
torv  cIh'I's.  a  couiilr'  of  Immlri'il  vrii- 
turi'soine  ma.riiiors  iii'iictnitoil  ('ii^lit  inili\s 
into  11  tliickly  settled  part  of  tli(!  United 
States,  spent"  tlio  day  tliero  merrily,  and 
escaped  witliont  11  man  hurt.  Wliat  was 
more  remarkalile,  and  as  luiieli  to  tlieir 
cri'ilit.  tliey  lieliaved  us  courteuu-ly  and  iii- 
(ill'ensively  us  was  possiMeon  sui-li  an  oreu- 
nion,  iujurinj;'  only  the  jU'operty  which.  Iiy 
the  law  111' war,  tliey  had  a  ri.i;ht  to  deslroy. 
That  incursion,  tlioii;j;h  it  cost  American 
citi/ens  on(!  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars  of  their  yivoperty  ilei'.troycMl,  ndmo- 
nishiii  (he  iioopleof  Xew  Kii;ilind  to  he  on 
tlieir  ;ii!ard  airainst  an  enemy,  like  death, 
always  at  hand,  and  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons or  ]ilaces.  The  ahivm  emliraced  IJos- 
ton  in  its  prejiarations  against  such  unwel- 
come visits. 

The  Secretary's  ydan  of  eamjiai^iu  was, 
that  while  parts  of  the  I'lrie  ileet  and  the 
fi'arrison  at  Hetroit  should  he  sent  into  liiike 
Jliiron  and  the  Western  Lakes,  to  recayiture 
!Michilimacinac,  and  lireak  down  tlii^  In- 
dian power  in  the  mu-thwest,  other  jiarts 
of  that  Ileet  wei'e  to  i>'o  to  the  east  end  of 
the  lake,  and  there  co-operate  in  landing  a 
military  expedition  in  Canada.  That  ex- 
pediliun  was  to  nnirch  rajiiilly  to  IJuiTini;- 
ton  lleiglits,  and  seizing  that  position  for- 
tify it,  and  there  wait  tiie  co-uperation  of 
the  Ontario  Ileet.  AVith  tiiat,  which  the  Se- 
eretary  of  the  Xavy  promised  hy  the  Idtli 
of  .June,  and  the  troops  at  Sackett's  Jlar- 
hor.  Kingston,  might  lie  attacked,  and 
eventually  Montreal.  15y  these  operations 
forts  Niagara  and  (icorge  would  lie  rendered 
useless  to  the  enemy,  who  would  he  shut 
off  from  all  direct  ci'iiimunication  wiiii  his 
western  yiosts  and  scttl(>ments,  and  disahled 
from  reinstating  his  control  of  the  Indians. 
The  heavy  expenditures  on  l^aki'  (Ontario 
W(uild  he  no  longer  necessary,  and  a  large 
]iart  of  Canada  taken  into  American  pos- 
session liefdre  that  seasim,  mid-summer, 
Avhen  Mnglanil  could  reinforce  from  i'lurope. 
Cicuieral  Armstrong  llattered  liimseH'  that 
the  heart  of  Tpiier  Canada  might  he  reached 
from  Lake  Krie,  where  American  ascend- 
ency was  undisputed,  as  well  a '^  from  On- 
tario where  it  was  disputed.  With  naval 
co-operation  on  'hat  i,ake,  which  was  indis- 
]ieiisal'ii'.  si\  thousasid  men  on  the  Xia^a- 
ra,  marching  to  Uurliiigli.in,  could  not  be 


resisted  without  so  weakening  the  I'i'itiili 

i'/astern  Jmsts  lis    to   cApose  iheiii  tn  niir-.  at 

Sac]cctt"s  Jlarhor  and  I'lallshiirg,  Such 
\vas  his  plan:  which  the  I'resideiil  at  lea>t 
diiilliled,  if  he  did  nut  disapprove. 

The  romiiiitic  p"ninsiil:i  hetween  those 
inland  seas.  Lakes  Ontario  and  I'.iie,  and 
tlie  ri\er  Niagara,  whose  waters  uuiti^  llie 

'  two  lakes,  was  the  theatre  in  the  summer 
of  l8l4  of  an  isolated  and  sanguinary  cam- 
)iaign.  as  striking  as  the  riigL-ed  features  of 
that  wild  region.  The  riveriunning'  aliout 
tliirty-six  miles  friuii  one  lake  to  the  other, 
constitutes  the  natural  liouiidary  hetween 
rival  empires  of  the  sanu'  lineage,  languagi' 
hardy  iind  adventurous  spirit,  exaugerated 

1  to  greater  hohiness  in  America  hy  tlie  vaster 
teriitories  inhahited,  waters  navigaled,  and 
liherty  eiijiyed.  J''ort  (ieorg(>.  in  the  corner 
hetwiseii  Ontario  Lake  and  the  river  Niag- 
ara on  the  iiritish  sid",  stands  ojipiLsite  to 
i'"ort  Niagara  on  the  American,  since  l)e- 
eemher  Isl.'!,  and  throughout  the  war  I'or- 
cihly  held  hy  the  Knglish,  much  to  the  dis- 
grace of  America,  and  in  spilo  of  all  that 

;  pu)ili('  sentiment  couhl  do  to  goad  yuihlii! 
force  to  retake  it.     .Vt  the  other  end  of  the 

'  [leninsula  the  Hritish  Tort  I'lrie  stands  op- 
jiosite  (o  IJiiHiilo,  where  the  river  Xiagara 
ilows  into  l^ake  Krie.  I'dack  Koi'k,  AN  illiams- 
hiirg,  .Alancliester,  are  \illages  on  the  Xew 

I  N'ork  side  :  Xewark  and  Clii))]ie\va  on  the 
Canadian,  their  (^>in'enstown  right  opjiosite 

1  to  our    Lewistown,      Midway  hetween   the 

[  two  lakes  the  river  Chipjiewa,  coming  from 
among  the  Six  Xations  and  other  trilies  of 
the  West,  empties  into  the  river  Xiagarti 
near  the  falls,  ojijiosite  to  the  American 
town  of  Manchest.'r.  There  the  Xiagara, 
ahout  three-ipiarters  of  a  mile  wide,  after 
tumhling  over  rapids  for  near  a  mile, 
plunges  down  170  feet  of  the  most  stu- 
|ieii  lolls  cataract  in  the  world,  o-u!  of  tiio 
pro  ligious  lineaments  of  the  Xorlh  Ameri- 
can continent.  J'y  the  treaty  of  inde- 
pendence in  17s;!,  and  that  of  CJhent  in 
ISl"),  t!ie  line  which  separates  the  I'nited 
States  from  (!reat  Hritiun  ])as>es  where 
never  human  heing  could  trace  it,  or  lieast, 
or  hardly  water  fowl  \enture — through  the 
middle  id'  the  l'"alls  of  Xiagara.  Xear  the 
magnilicfnt  mist  and  eternal  commotion  of 
tiiat  prodigious  waterfall,  the  younger  jieo- 
jde  challenged  the  older  to  comhat.  'l"ho 
rival  nations  there  met  to  light,  first  hy  the 
hrilliant  sunset  of  western  skies,  then  un- 
der ilie  (lark  miilnight  of  such  scenery,  and 
linally  at  noon-day,  when  a  sanguinary  sor- 
tie surprised  and  overthrew  the  British 
arms. 

I  During  a  camjiaign  ofseventy  days  almost 
every  kind  of  liatt!o  tried  the  mettle  of  the 
comiiatants:  in  an  oi>en  ]dain  at  Chi|i]iewa, 
hy  night,  in  coul'ict  hand  to  hand  at  Bridge- 

;  water,   hy    Iiritish    siege    ie)iu!si'd  at   Fort 

'  l'",iie,  tn'.ii  linally  .\merican  sortie  there  in 
mid-da V,  dcmolishiii";  the  JJritish  aimv,  and 


"■J-i 

•(■•. 


•:'t    . 


8t) 


PLAN'  or  (AMPAIfiX. 


[1S14. 


^! 


^1, 


l.  it; 


5  4! 


m 


i 


■■;! 


if   I5l'ii\vii  liiid    l.i'i'H   siciitiili'd  ii^J    lie  sliiiiilil  ; 

liiiM'    I II    li_v    ritlu'i-   Cliiiuiiri'v  i>r   l/.iiril. 

|inilpiililv  i;i\iiin'  Aiiii'i'-iim  ti ps  Hh'  cdin- 

]ili'|c'    iHi>MfSf<ii'ii    III'  II    lar.ni'    [piirt.    nl'   L'li- 
iiM<l;i. 

'I'lic  liazMi'ilciiis  iiiul  iiii)ii'ii1ialili'  dcsijin  "f 
TJriiwii  iiml  Si'iilt,  wliii  wi'i'i'  tlif  lil'"'  ol"  tin' 
ciiti'i'iirisi',  was  t')  take  l''(H't  V.\'\  at  tliat 
I'lnl  of  I  III'  N'ia'^ara,  Kni't  (i'nrHi.  nt  tli<' 
iitliiT  I'll!  I,  111'  cull  r.-r  till'  ill  1 1 'I'm  ••dial  I'  placi's, 
( 'lii|>lir\\ a,  l^>iii'('ii>tii\vn.  and   Newark,    and 

]ii I'l'ijini;  iiiii'tii  a'.iiiin'  t!ii>  slmri'  oi'  Lake  \ 

Oiitai'ii)   tn   liiii'liiiutnii    ll('i;ilits,  si'i/.c  and 
I'lirtily  tiiat  [iliicc,  the  western  extremity  nt'j 
tlie   lake,  lint  iiiiuiy  iniji's  frniii   York,  and 
till'  wliiile  extent  lit' it  rnnii  Kiiiistnii,  wliieli 
stands  wiieri'  Kiiijt's  Itiver  enters  the  lake, 
in  the  midst  of  islands   in   t!ie  I'ritli  where  \ 
the  lake  nri:i;iiiates  the  iiiiiihty  Si.  Lawrence,  | 
■with    ;j;reat  al\  aiita:.'es  nl'  iiavi;;-atii'ii.     'I'o 
sulidiie  and  linld  tinu  Canadian  |ieniiisula,  ' 
rniin    Burliii^itiin  tn   Krie,  with  a  ileet  cmn- 
iiiandin;:'  the  lake,  niiulit  sever  l.'|i|ier  t'niiii  j 
|jiiwer(.'anada.  cuntinl  the  Indians,  |ianily/.t'  I 
AVestcrn  ('anadi.and  l)e;;in  the  invasirn  nfl 
the    Mastern    iimvinee,    Muntre;il,   (.>iieliec,  ' 
and  all  that   was  nceessarv  to  drive  hack 
l",n-li-h  ruothold   lieyond  the  hanks  oC  the  , 
St.  Lawrence.     So  iin]iracticalile  a  scheme, 
Aviili  so  small  a  I'orce,  dejieiided  on  two  car- 
dinal coiitinii'eiicies,  either  «it'  w  liieli  failinu; 
mii-^t  I"'  i'atal— and  hoth  failed — viz.,  timely 
and  cordial  co-o|ieratiiin  rroiii  thoiiavv.aiid 
ciiih|iierin;j;  the  \\;\\-  to  Hnrliiiirton  hcl'ure 
lU'itish    reinl'orcemeiits   from    almve   could 
overjiowci'  I'.rown.     'i"he  navy  neither  did, 
]iei'ha|is  cinild  or  would  co-o)ieiato  with  the 
army:  and  IJritish  reinforcements,  not  only 
from    KiiiLtstini    and    Montreal,    hnt    from 
•  ^weliec,  and  even  from  Lnro|ie,  arrivi'd  Im'- 
fore  it  was  ])ossilile  for  IJrown  to  coiniuer 
halfway  to  Like  Ontario,  where  the  enemy 
held  the  ascendant  on  the  water  as  much  a  ■ 
hy  land.    Ijiit  Urowii,  the  upstart  of  emerii- 
eney,  ardent,  lirave,  athletic  and  sa;j;acions, 
was   ini|iatieiit   fur   disiinction.    and   Arm- 
stroii'j;.  an  old  soldier,  who  cherished  soldier- 
ly (|naliticatioiis.  was  disjiosed  to  ;j;ratify  the 
enter|n-isin^' horderer,  for  wdiosi;  promotion 
to  ciminiand  he  was  responsihle.    Scott  had 
he'll  to  \Vasliinv;ton,  commnnii^ativo,  jiliiusi- 
lile,  and  persuasive,  a  sohlierof  some  stand- 
ing, tlioiiii:Ii   a  yoiiii'j;  man  not  thirty  vears 

of  a;;e.  who.  a- Colonel  of  the  Secninl  'h'.i;'!- 

inenr  oi'  Arilliery.  as  .\d;iitant  (I  en  era  I.  and 
on  all  occasions  had  di-played  that  alacrity 
of  eoiiraxe  and  vanity  of  ('X[iloit  which,  like 
oarnestncss    in   an  in'ator,   are   anion;j;   the 
instincts  uf  success,  and  connnand  piihlii' 
admiration.      Iniportiinat''  to  h(>  allowed  to 
i  ad  an  expedition  into  Canada,  they  at  last 
;i'ot  leave,  with  many  execnt!\e  misiLri\inii's,  j 
al'ter  loiiL:;  he-itation  and  niiicli   relnctam-e,  '■ 
to  cross  the  Niagara,  capture  l'"ort  Krie,  r!s-k  \ 
a  cniuliai,  march  on  Cliiiipi'wa.  hi'Ihkt  Fort  \ 
(.icori^c, soi/,1.' and fortil  .  ijurliii;i;ti >u Heights,  ; 


hut  only  if  assured  of  Channi'ey's  a-cinl- 
elicy  nil  the  hike  and  co-nperal  ioii  with  tin) 
mii\enient,  who  had  promised  to  lie  in  arm.i 
on  the  lake  hy  the  1st  of  .(illy. 

The  plan  n'ems  to  liu\e  liecn,  to  collect 
several  thousand  i'e'j;ulars  and  militia  lit 
i'etroit,  as  many  more  on  the  Niaizara,  a 
liri;;ade  or  more  at  Sackett's  llarhor,  and  a 
eoiisiderahle  I'orce  at  I'lattshiirji'.  l>iirlin;j;- 
ton,  and  tliereahoiits,  on  Lake  Cliamplain, 
while  liy  threateiiin;;-  Montreal  and  tlm 
I'liemy  ill  that  part  of  Canada,  he  sliniild  he 
deterred  hy  l/.ard  from  sendiiijj;  any  consi- 
deralile  niimlier  of  troops  beyond  lvinL':stoii 
or  \'ork,  IJrown,  with  six  or  seven  thou- 
sand men,  should  invade  the  Canadian  pe- 
ninsula from  I'lrii!  to  IJurlin^toii,  and  tlieru 
fortify  an  estahlishment.  lint  his  forco 
n.xMi.  i.v..i„„i|.||  tliirty-liv(!  hundred  men, 
iltle  (ir  no  reinforct'- 


never    exceed 

Volunteers  and  all  .    ..,i..    

ments  eaiiu'  from    l>ctroit,  at  least  not  till 
after  his    two  huttles 

auara  :  ('liaiincey' ,.  . 

with  him  ;   and    Izard  withheld   his  assist- 


at  the  Falls  of  Ni- 
tleet  never  eo-operateil 
Willi  nini  ;  ami  izanl  withheld  his  assist- 
ance w  hen  reipiired  :  so  that  tin'  fate  of  the 
camiiaiL!;ii  de\olve(l  on  the  insiKuilicant  en- 
terprise of  lirown,  lint  was  hy  him  ren- 
dered, therefore,  more  'glorious,  auspicious, 
and  niemiirahle.  Without  either  Chaiincey 
or  Izard,  Brow  n  aloiu!  coni|iiered  and  held 
a  position  in  Canada,  just  when  all  the 
armi  's  of  (Ireat  ISritain,  havinij;  siilijii;::ate(l 
France,  conld  he  landed  in  Canada,  wliero 
reinforcements,  not  less  than  thirty  thtai- 
sand  of  the  hest  troo]i.s  in  the  world,  wero 
actually  landed.  I'lien  it  was  that  a  littlo 
forlorn  exitedilion  invaded  that  province, 
as  the  fritiiites  went  to  s'li  in  ISI'J,  ;;overn- 
m  lit  ^hrinkiii^-,  oftioor.s  confident,  men 
willing-,  and,  during'  the  wholo  summer 
and  luitiimn,  hy  nspeated  ilefeats  kejit  the 
enemy  at  hay  in  six  hloody  toiirnameiits. 

O.ir  troojis  had  heeii  so  indnstriously 
drill  'd  and  severely  disciplined,  that  hattlo 
wa-  ilmost  recreation  to  tlio  siddlery  as  to 
the  .1  I  men,  from  the  irksonu!  toil  of  in- 
cessant exercise.  The  officers  were  mostly 
anxiniis  to  ti^i'ht,  as  a  corps  of  ollicers  must 
he,  and  the  men  were  ready  to  follow  wdier- 
(!Vi'r  oiiicers  led.  Brown,  Mdtli  Scott,  ]iro- 
niotcd  to  a  hri<;ade,  were  intimate  and 
cordial  in  tlndr  arranfiynients.  If  they  had 
heen  more  I'Xperieiiced  commanders,  they 
mi;j;lit  have  heen  less  san<;;iiiiui  or  veiitiirc!- 
some.  But  the  army  and  the  coiintry  had 
reached  one  of  tliosi'  conjunctures  when 
temerity  is  a  virtue.  Brown  and  Scott,  if 
they  had  failed,  would  jirohahly  iiavo  fol- 
lowed i)i'arhorii  and  'W^ilkinson  into  retire- 
ment. But  their  succes.s,  besides  its  own 
justilicatioii,  the  j;reatest  ca|)tain  of  the  a;;;!; 
would  have  pronounced  leiritimate  warfare, 
lieviewinji'  the  campaiii'iis  ol'  Frederiidi,  Xa- 
polcnn  testiiied  that  coiiiicils-of-\var.  and 
'"  plays  of  discussion,  end,  on  all  occasions, 
iidi,i[itin;:;  the  worst  plan ;  that,  almost 


lllSp 

h 


nnowN'  ciiossKs  riii;  xiacaiia. 


.  11.1- 
ii  till) 

illcct 
ill  lit 
ii'ii,  a 
mil  a 
■I  inn;, 
il.'iiii, 
tlio 
M  l>(> 

illlsl- 

.'■stiiu 
thoii- 
11  po 
tlliTO 
I'nri'O 
llH'll, 
iplTt'- 

t  till 
.r  \i- 

•riiti'il 
issist- 
oi'  till) 
lit  ril- 

I  riMl- 
ciiilis, 
iliiri'V 

irl'.l 

II  till! 

l^iUtoil 

\vlii'r(3 

tlimi- 

,  Wt'l'O 

littlo 


4 


ClIAl-.  IV, I 

nhviivs  |iriiilrni^'^  i<  |'.iisill:iiiiiiiMii-i,  ;iiiil  tnu' 
iiiilil:ii'v  "iMiiiiii   ciiiislsi^   ill  cu'T.;!  tii;  il'' 
ti'i-inihiili'ii. 

r|i"li  ill''  illllilll"^!'  I'f  tlH'>i'  |il'iliril)Ii'i,  nil 
till'  cvr  r  till'  iiiinivi'iMiry  I'l  tli;il  iiatiniiul 
ilnli'iii'll'li'liri'  wllirli  )ic;::ill  ill  IMiiili  limri' 
iii'iil  mill  iliiiilit,  till'  ;iil  Jiilv.  Isl  I.  ill  till' 
iliirkiii'ss  i.r  iiiirlit.  witli  iiiiiii'i'l'iH-t  luraii-i  nl' 
I'l'M^^iii;'.'  till'  N  i.i'^'in'ii.  im  sti.fi's  oi'  sii)iiilii'- 
i,Vi'|i;ii'i'il  "lii'iT  111'  win  j;iiiii;;',  IJniwii  li'l 
f'l'iitt's  iiii'l  i;i|ilc,v'.-i  hri;iiiili's  111'  ri';i'iilui> 
iiinl  i'lirti'r's  uf  viiluiit"i'rs,  with  .Majur 
lliiiiliiiMii's  liattiiliini  nC  lutilli-rv  witli  tliiir 
>iMiii-i.  mill  ('ii|itaiii  Harris'  triiii|(  ><['  linc-i', 
iiitii  t.'anailii,  mul  l.iinli'il  williniit  iiiniusi- 
tiim:  Srott  ill  tlio  niiilit ;  l{i|ili'y,  imt  till 
till'  iii'xt  iiioriiiii;:-.  Ii's^  iiitiiiiali'  wirli  liis 
li'ailrr.  mill  li'-^--  I'oiiliili'iit  in  tin'  iiiiilrrtakiii;!:, 
eiiiliarkiiiii'  willi  ri'liiflaiu'i'. 

'I'lniM'  tliiiii.^aiiil  avi'  liiiinlri'il  iiii'ii  iinml- 
iiur  11  liii-iili'  ruiititry,  iirnn'il  at  all  )niiiits, 
liy  laiiil  mill  wati'r,  jiri'iiiiri'il  with  iiinii' 
than  twii'i'  that  iiiiiiihi'r  nf  sii)ii'rini'  ti-imiis 
lianl  hy  tn  fonrroiit  tin'  iinaili'i's,  sitiiii'iI 
ti)  he  \viirsi>  than  ii>rli'ss  irru|iliiiii.  i5iit, 
Hiioii  iil'ti-r,  11  l)riti.>li  ariiiy  of  ahiuit  the 
siiuii'  si/.i',  witlnmt  ai'iillci'v  "i"  t'lnaliy, 
li.|,,uiii_ri.  wiliiiins,  or  sii|i|ili('s,  |iiiii'trati'il 
^larvlaiii],  |iiit  tn  tli^rht  twiiT  thrir  niiiii- 
Iji'rs  at  Ulaili'iishiir;;,  caiiturcil  \Vashiiii;tiai. 
tiii'l,  iit'li'r  hi'sii'j;;in;;'  IJaltiiiinri',  ri'tiri'il  sali'- 
ly  tn  tlii'ir  Nhiii|iiiii;.  A\'liat  wi'  waiiti'il 
was  linM,  if  not  rash  Icailrrs,  to  laic  ovrr- 
powcriii;;'  asfi'iiilciii'V,  iiiiirr  iiiiuriiius  than 
sii|ii'riiir  lori'i'.  Aini'rii'an  mulacity  tn  ili'l'y 
Eiinlish  arriii'-anri',  ami,  ti'iirh'ss  nf  rniisc- 
(|ii('iiri's,  risk  all  for  vii.'tory: — to  burn 
till'  shins  ami  trust  to  f'ortuiu'. 

On  tho'ilth  .Imiuary,  ISN,  Cionrffc  Izanl 
mill  •lai'oh  lirown  wi'ro  proiiiotcil  from  hri- 
ijailii'rs  tn  iiiajor-ji'i'ni'rals  ;  ami  on  the  1st 
of  May,  IS|  1,  Amircw  .Jarksmi ;  tlio  two 
fonni'i'  ili'stiiii'il  to  coiiunaiiil  in  tlio  Xorih, 
till'  lalti'r  ill  till'  South.  On  the  "Jil  May, 
Isl  1,  (Ji'iii'ral  l/anl  took  (ii'in-ral  A\'ilkin- 
son's  |ila-i',  as  LiiiiuiKiiidrr  i/f  the  uortlun-ii 
army. 

What  was  calloil  tlio  si'i'iuul,  or  division 
of  till'  I  ft  of  tho  iiortlii'rn  aniiv,  was  coin- 
jiosi'il  of  two  Miiiaili'ons  of  liji'lit  ilraijooiis, 
coiiiniamli'il  hy  Cajitain  Harris,  a  ilrtach- 
iiii'iit  of  till'  coriis  of  artiili'ry  niiilor  Major 
llimlmaii,  a.  liattalioii  of  tin'  tir-t  roj^imi'iit 
of  Ititlriiu'ii,  niuii'r  Maior  Mor;i.aii  :  ami  tlii' 
1st,  '.itli.  Ilth,  21st,  i>2il,  2;hl,  anil  2i")th. 
Hi'vi'ii  ri'jriiiii'iits  of  infantry,  foiitniamlcil 
hy  .Major-tii'iMM'al  Hrowii,  iJiinairu'r-tli'iic- 
vals  fiaiiii's,  Srott  ami  l\i]ili'y,  Ailjutant- 
(li'iii'ral  (iariliii'r,  Ins|pi'ctor-(ii'm'ral  Siicll- 
inii,  I'hiiiiiiri'rs  .Mi-ilri'  ami  Woml.  Tiu'  first, 
(li'iioral  .Si'ott's  iiriii'aili'.  coiisisti'il  of  thi-  0th, 
11th,  'J'Jil  anil  2')lh  rouimciits  of  infantry. 
I'omiiiiiiili.'il  ri's|ii'cti\i'ly  hy  Ci.loni'l  Camii- 
lirll,  Mai'ir  l/i-avrnworth,  .Nlajor  .lossuii  ami 
Major  .NlcXi'ill.  'fill'  si'i'oml  hri^aih'.  coni- 
mamli'il  hy  ( iciicral  Uiploy,  i-on-iisti'il  of  tlio 
21st  ro^iniunt,  ColoUL'l  Jaino.-j  31iilfr:   the 


il.  Coloiii'l    Hraih 


ih   ili'tmh 


_::ii.  I  oloiH'l    lira'iy.  Willi   Hi 
'io  li'ih  ami  I'Mh  ri"riim'iit'^, 


H7 

of 


Ulicilt 

I'hi'  lir-t  n- 
•riiiii'iit,  ( 'oloiii'l  . Nicholas,  joiiii'i I  till 'ni  a I'tiT- 
anls  in  <'anaila,  hut  was  attiii-hi'ii  to  ni'i- 

ihrr  hriiraili',     <'ii|itain  ilarri-,  with  a  ti |» 

of  ('.  Imui'I  liiinis'  ri"ziiiii'iit  of  ia\alry,  iipil 
M;i/|or  lliniliiiaii,  with  a  haitalion  of  nrtil- 
li'iy,  coiisisiiiiij:  of  tin'  i'oiii|iaiiii's  of  ('a)i- 
taiiis  Towsoii,  Tlioiiiiis  iiiililli',  llitrhii',  W'il- 
li  anil  mill  I'aiiiiim/,  iiiaile  ii|i  wish  tin-  hi 'fori' 
iii"nlioiiiil  two  hi  i'^iaih"^,  <  Iriii'iiil  r)rown''4 
reiiular  foree.  Karly  in  Aio-il,  \>\\.  Col. 
I'l'iiton,  w  1th  oil''  hiimlii'il  ;i.  il  i'i;ihty  mi- 
lunti'i'rs  lioiii  I'i'iinsyh aiiia,  ami  nmri'  it' 
ni'oili'il,  wove  rraily  to  iio,  einliMrkcil  at  Hrli* 
in  till'  si'hooiii'i's  Sioi'iiioii,  'l'i;jri'ss,  I'oreu- 
|iiiii'  ami  Soiiii'i's.  miller  ('.iptaiii  liiliotr, 
ami  hi'in;^'  l.imleii  at  Ihitfalo,  joineil  (leiieral 
I'lPiter's  stmnlanl,  nmlrr  whieli  they  sii'\cil 
with  ;i'ri'at  ;iallantry  throughout  tin.'  whulo 
(Jtinailiaii  ••aiii|m!,::ii. 

Ill  the  niontli  of  A)iril,  iNll,  on  the  onst 

liaiik  of  the   river   .\ia;';ara,  aiiioii;i'  the  de- 

\astatei|  |il,|i  1  -  of  that  allllo.--t   lioliseless  \\- 

ciiiaue,  the  ollieers  of  all  rmik>i  went  to  work 

to  disiijiliiie  their  men  hy  drill,  iiiameiivn; 

ami  iiiareh   from  ei'^ht  to  ten   hours  a  day, 

-111  that,  to  the  army,  as  to  the  navy,  Imttlo 

v.'iis  relief   from    tlio    se\erity  of  constant 

e.^cereisc ;  and  it  cmiiiot  ho  too  forcibly  iiii- 

liressed  liy  history,  as  a  ji'reat  lesson  to  tho 

lieeiitious  iiiile;ii'mlem'e  of  the  country,  that 

to  sii)ierior disii|iliiie,  is  ascribable  the  fir^t 

victories  by  land,  as  ^^ell  as  sea,  which  from 

the  ile|itlis  oi'  i|e;irailation,   raised  the  iia- 

tioiuil  character  to  the  heights  of  renown, 

and  to  this  hour,  covi'r  the  nation  with  that 

I  shield  of  its  protection. 

]     Will  tlio  advocates  of  jiorpotual  peace,  v:]\o 

for  many  centuries  have,  in  vain,  striven  to 

prevent  war,  whose  fi'ei|uency  and  barbarity 

are  often    inhumanly  nnjiistiliable,  excuse 

my  addiiin'  thtit    r>utl'alo,  the  ;:;i'i'at  westi'rn 

seaport,  and  all  that  llourishiii'j;  neinjilior- 

liooil.  fur  many  miles  aionml,  was   then  a. 

de-icrt  from  hostile  devastation,  as  the  most 

1  fertile  portions  of  Kurope,  Glanders,  North- 

I  orn  Italy,  and  the  finest  parts  of  (ierinany, 

I  many  times  have  lieen,  provinjr  that  rejiions 

!  Ilourish    and    popiih.'ion    inulti|ilieM     from 

'  the    nianurance  of    bloodslieil    ami    ashes 

1  of  desolation,  by  liiie  of  tliose   inscrutable 

o^■errulillL:;s  of  l'io\  idence  which   niysii-ri- 

,  ously  favordevelopmeiit:  while  the  indolent, 

'  opulent,  undisturbed   and   contented,  ol'teii 

I  decrease  in  numbers  as  they  decline  in  on- 

I  er;:'y,  and  seem  to  ]n'ovc,  that  the  nses  of 

I  the  hardest  aihorsity,  at  times,  alfect  na- 

,  tioiis,  as  they  do   iiiifn  iduals,  more  lieiieii- 

cially  than  the  most  wanton  prosju'rity  ? 

(hi  the  mornin;;  of  tin'  2d  of  -hily,  lSl-(, 
•  Major  (ieiieral  Brown  aiithori/ed  the  fieiie- 
:  lals  of  briuaile  to  iiii'orm  the  commamlmit.-! 
,  of  corjis.  that  the  army  would  cross  the  strait 
'  beibre  them,  so  as  to  invest  I'ort  Krie  as  day 
1  dawned,  on  tlioiJd.  liimited  means  of  traiis- 
i  poriatiou  wuro   divided  hotwoeu  Generals 


-i 


H,S 


r.VITl  |{K  OF  FORT  KIIIK. 


[M14. 


t  II  \t' 


if- 


\\  * f'^ 


n 


■■;* 


Si'nlt     IMIil      I!i|lli'y.     villi     WrVl'     til     I'MlliMI'k 

•  liiriii'.i;  [\\f  iii'jlit  of  ili>'  'Jil.  ili'luii'k  ill  Tii- 
ii.'iilii,  at  iliiwii.nii  iIii';mI;  S.'hII  Ih'Ihw,  |{i|i- 
li'V   iiliiiM'    I'lnl     I'irii',  wliirli   tln^v  wi'i'i'  in 

MIII'I'ollllil  ailcl  sIllMlur.  UN  xxill  MS  )l>i-isili|i<, 
iiclli'lMl     liihli'V    WMS    mi    iimTSi'    tn    llll-    cll- 

ti'r|ii'isi'  tli.il   III-  Ii'IhIi'I'i'iI  liis   rrMiirimtiiiii, 

wllirll    (Ji'llrnil     llrnwil    li'l'lisi'il     to    lli'i'c]it. 

will"  \va:<  inilcxililv  ri'sulvi-il  (it  iiriu'ci'd  iic- 
t'dicliiii;  til  till'  arr!m;:;i'mi'nt.-t  inaili'.  (ii'iiiTal 
SiMiit  iiii;ni'i|i;iti'l_v  assiMiilili'iJ  tin'  cliirl'M  oi' 
('iii'|i-'  III'  liis  niiiiiiiainl.  ('i>li>iii-l  ('ain|ilii'll, 
Majiir  Li'aM'iiwiifili  ainl  .Major  .li"<sii|i, 
Coloiii'l  liiailv  no!  ilii'ii  lia\  iiiiT  joiiii'ii,  ainl 
('oiniiHinii'atrii  to  thi'iii  tli'iiiTal  lirnwn's 
di'-'ii:'!),  wlio  saiil  liis  anii\  's  atlitinli-  in  Ca- 
iiaila  woiiiil  Im>  a  iiowcrl'iil  ijivri'sioii  in  I'avor 
ot  tii'iii'ial  izai'ij  at  I'latt^ilairii,  ami  if  it 
illil  iiotliiiii;  inofi'  tliaii  ri'stori'  the  tai'iiiv||(<il 
lionor  III'  our  anos,  iliat  was  nil  olijci't 
Worth  till'  sai'i'iliii'  of  (111'  wlmli'  I'orci'  lii> 
i-oiiini'iinli'il.  Ill'  liail  iiict  witli  o|i|iositioii 
wJii'rr  he  cxpi'i'tnl  siiiijiort,  "liiit."  Iio  ailil- 
til,  \vith  I'liijiiia-iis,  "  \vi>  ii'o,  ih'mtiIu'Ii'ss  : 
iiotliiiiL;  iiiit  till'  I'li'ini'iits  sliall  stii|i  us." 
Till'  riiiniminifalioii  of  his  ilosioii  liv  thi' 
ooiiiinauili'rs  ot' roi|is  in  ilio  ri's|ii'i'iiv(' ol'- 
licors  was  ri'iM'lvi'il  with  iho  iiiiiiost  I'litliii- 
I'iasni.  (it'iii'i'al  Itiall  was  known  to  In'  in 
I'ori'i'  not  I'ar  off.  IImtv  ono  was  cairor  I'lii" 
an  o]iiiortiinily  111'  trial  with  him;  most  of 
till'  iittifi'is  ayri'i'il  to  woar  thoir  sasln's  ami 


Fi'iiton,  anil  srM'ral  hnmlri'il  Imlians,  cou- 
Htitiiti'il  a  thir'l  liri;i-a  li'.  Ii'il  hy  (iriu'val 
I'l'tiT  I).  I'orti'i',  who,  throiiiihoiil  tlii'wholo 
i!ani|iai;iii.  on  all  oi-i-asions.  nohly  ri'|ii'lli'i| 
till'  taunts  of  |iolitii"iI  o|i|ioni'iits,  ami  as  far 
as  it  was  |iiissilili'  for  liiiii  to  ilo,  rrili'mu'il 
till'  ]ili'ili:;('  111'  jravi'  in  Coniiri'ss.  where  he 
lieM  a  very  coiisjiieiiinis  situation,  of  Ca- 
nailian  eoiii|iiest  ami  finnexatioii.  'J'h(> 
whole  division  under  (ieneral  iJrown  never 
exi'i'edeil  three  tlionsaml  iive  hiindred  men, 
and  was  redueed,  in  the  course  of  the  cain- 
jiiiiiiM,  to  less  than  two  thousand;  hut  if 
there  lie  anythiiiLr  in  national  Immir  and 
military  character,  seldniu.  if  ever,  were  a 
tlioiis;uid  lives  or  wounds  lost  or  siitt'ered 
with  lii'tter  result. 

Iv'ciiiinoiterinLr  the  woods  in  advance  of 
Scott's  ri;j;ht,  lirown's  uood  luck  heti,aii,  hy 
fallinu;  in  with  an  inhahitaiit  and  a  little 
lioy,  his  son,  on  the  >vay  to  tin:  Strait  for 
lisli,  who  liy  threats  ami  ]ii-omises  were  in- 
duced tu  acc'jni2iany  Adj  utant-(-lcuurai  (JarU- 


lier.  ordereij  to  <;o  and  meet  the  lesi'ivi'  iif 
1  lfi|ile_\  'm  hri'^adi',  a<  they  landed  Irinii  liii.ck 
I  iiock,  and   march  ihem  up  to  Sen'  '■■  '. 'i'.-I'> 

Major  •le<*u|i  w  as  ordered  forw  ard  i' i  1    iht; 

■J'llh  infantry,  toin\cs|  the  j'ort  in  cniijiiiu'- 

lioii  wiih    l!i|ilc_\'.;   hriirade,  which  had  not 

I  aiTi\ed    when    .)essn|i    reached    the     stalioli 

iissi;:'ni  il  111  him.  \\  iili  Majors  MdJeeaml 
Wood  he  ii|i|iroacliei|  and  I'l'i  oniioitered  tlio 
flirt.  «  hicli  delivereij  some  dischar'/es  from 
hoth  cannon  and  musketry,  \Miiimliiij;a  few 
of  •lessiiji's  men. 

liiM'sliiiir  I'orl  llriewilh  his  I  wo  liriirades, 

,  lirown's  Lrond  forlnne  coinmei d.  hy  its  ca- 

,  |iitiilaliiin   almost  wilhoiit   a    hlow,  surreii- 
:  dered  hy  .Major  lliick,  of  the  Stli   infantry, 
the    I'iim'lish  commander,   the  iiftermmn   (if 
the  lirst  day.     If  he  li.ad  held  out  only  ioiii» 
j  enou'j;li   liir   the  ie|iiirl   of  his  rcsist)inee  to 
reach   .Major-( ieneral    iliall,   eiilreiiched   at 
'  ('lii|i|iewa,  Mrown's  sword  mivht   not  have 
lieen    Hushed    with    instant    and    lilnodli'ss 
triuiii|ih.     \\  hereas,  one  huiidicd  and   thir- 
tv  men.  Well  |iroviileil  with  nicins  of  some 
defence,  iz;a\e  Up  a  place  of  rcfiirie  for  tlio 
j  Americans,  in  case  of  need,  and  the  cM'iit- 
nal    theatre  of  their    final   triumph.     One 
i  liiindred  and  sixty  prisoners  with  trophies 
'  were    marched    I'rom    l>ull'alo  In    riathiish, 
'  the  harliin;;'crs  of  lirown's  aiisjiicimis  ven- 
ture.     Iieliire  they  could  pei'form   the  lirst 

staij,!'  of  their  journey,  while  the  | pie  of 

the  I'liited   States  were  celehratinir  the  |)c- 
;  claratioii  of  lnile|ieiidenci',  Scott  was  pushed 
!  forward  with  hi.s  hri;:;aili'  to('hip|iewa:  and, 
:  on  the    Itli  'liily,  surprised  (ieneral  Uiall's 
advance  at  IJlack  ("reek,  strminly  posted  he- 
hind  that   stream.     Captain  Towson,  with 
his    compaiiy    of   artillery,    compelled    the 
British  to  retire,  in  doinu;  Avhich   they  re- 
moM'il   the   hi'idi;i'   over   the  creek,  and    a 
!  small   enii'aiiement  ensued,  which,  like  the 
!  whole   series,   attested    the   eniiilous   iiitre- 
pidify   of   the    American    forces.     Ctiptain 
Crocker,  ■with  a  company  ot'  infantry,  pass- 
i  iiiic   the   creek  almvc   the   hridiie  and    piir- 
suiuu;  the  retiring' enemy,  heforc  lhehri;;adn 
cniilil  jret  over,  was  assailed  and  surrounded 
liypart  ol' ilie  I'.Uli  l>ritish  drauooiis,  whom, 
:  with  ;j;reat  self-possession  and    steadiness, 
;  he  drove  otfand  put  to  lli^lit.    This,  on  tlin 
'  4tli,   was   the  overture   of  more  extensive 
success  on  the  5tli  July,  the  hatth:  of  Chip- 
1  ]iewa. 

j       The  IJritish    under   (ieneral    Itiall  wore 

I  entremdied     heyoinl    the    hrid^e    over    the 

Chippewa,  a    stream    too  deep  for  fordinj^ 

and  surroiindcd  hy  marshes,  which,  ditliciilt 

to  pass,  must  have   heen    tiii'iied,  at  some 

loss  of  time    and    ex]iosure    to    c.isualties. 

I  \Vliy  Iliall  did   not  remove  the  1iri(l;j;e,  it  is 

.  not  easy  to   iimlerstand,  and  thus  impede, 

j  retaril.  If  not  frustrate    l>ro\\irs  advance. 

;  (»r  cross  the   Niauar.a  and  caiitnre  his  siip- 

i  ]ilies  there:  cither  of  which  seemed  to  he 

j  olivious    means   of   resistance,      iiiit    there 

i  were  manv  turn.'*  iu  tlio  wheel  of  Brown's 


i  i: 


1  ' 


liiu<'k 

I;  tl... 

lilllH'- 

I'l  not 

iMlimi 

■!■  and 

'I  I  ho 

Ir'Hii 
a  li'W 


} 


t  II  \l 


IV 


BATTLK  OF  ('IIIIM'KWA. 


89 


I'lii'imii-,  uliii'li  llf  jmslicil  Cirwanl  wiili  inl'i  irrcatcr  ^af''•fy  nrid  ii-'^^iirMiicc.  Iiv  f'nrcr 
iiM|"'lii'iii- ilili;;''iiii',  lirai  liiii;;  S'oii's  m-  a|i|ii  micli  111  (liui'.'i'r.  Maine  •li,'--ii|i,  ai  iIm^ 
(■aiii|iiiu'iit  iii'ar  iniiliii^lit  nl'  tlic  lili  "I  lii'id  oT  ilu' ".''illi  I'liiiiiK'nt.  wIimsii  |i,ir»i' «  is 
•Inly,  w  illi  lii|>li'\'s  liri;.'.'ii|i-,  Itrnwii  iiia<l<'  --liiit  iiinli'i' liiiii.  aii>l  his  iiii'ii  I'llliti'.' I'l'l  citi 
lijx  i|i:.|MiNiiiiiii  lor  :i  sfiri'ily  iilliii'k,  ill  w liii-li  tin' i'nIi'i'iih'  Ii'Ii,  w  Ihtc  Iii>  i'iiiiti'ii<li"l  wlili 
it  \va>-  Ills  '.'immI  |iicI«,  ill  ilii>  jilai'c  ami  iiriii-  lli''  liriti-li  i'i"lit.  <ifil"rcr|  hi*  tiriii-.';  tn  h"  i-iiv- 
liiT  III  III-  tiiMii-i'il  hy  hi.-.  I'lii'iiiv.  I'l'iiiii  |i<'Mi|i'i|  ami  Ills  I'i'H'inii'iil  III  aiKiiih-r  with  iho 
I'arly  ilau  ii  nl'  thi'  .'ilii,  llii'  Itiilish  a-'-aiilti'il  ii.iuiiici  in  ihc  Ircili  nl  ih'ailly  Milh'VK,  I'li'"- 
HiiivMi's  |iii'l;i'ts.  (li'ini'al  I'lirtiT,  with  his  iii^r  iIhti'Iiv  ii  iiinrf  laviiraMi-  iimil  imi  iiml 
ri';iiiii'iil  111'  I'lMiii^y  l\  aula  Miliiiili'i'i's  nml  I'miiiirlliii;'' ili"ii' a'l\  i'i'>arii'-.  In  ri'liiT  IVniii  Ji 
Miini'  liiiinii'i'il  liiiliaiis,  liiil  imt  ai'i'iM>  till  hni  I'lni'i'.  Inhiiiil  w  liiili  I  licy  ^ll>ll<l.  liiit  liy 
till' iiiiiniiii;i:  III' lliat  tliiy.     In  ihr  arti'i'iiniiii    .Irssiiii'M    (.'.allant    rhar'.c   ilri\cii   liuck    cx- 

iii'    wan    iinliTi'il    to    jii'iir I    with    tlii'iii    |iiis((|  In  Hauls  iis  well  IIS  IViiiit  lifi',     Miijiir 

lliriiii,:;li  a  wiiihI,  innl  iIiIm!  in  tlii-  cni'iiis's  .McNi'ill  mi  llii'  ri'jlit,  Majnr  l.i'iiM'iivviii'tli 
|iii'l<i'ls,  whili-  nms  shiiiilil  withilraw,  ainl  [laralhl  tn  tlw  i'nciii\'s  itttai'k,  llll'all^^  hih', 
I'ln'tiT  also  III  I'lilii'i'  till'  JSi'itish  tn  liiilnw  |Miiii'i'i|  ill  llii'ir  i'a|iiil  nml  ih"  trmliM'  iTm- 
ami  ii|i|iniai'li  niir  main  Imily.  (ii'iirral  rhar^ri"^.  MiNi'ill  jmlii'lini- ly  nriaiiiii'il 
I'liitrr  with  L'i'i'al   ^rallaiilry  li'il   his  inrii  lis    an  iililii|iii'  fmsitinn.  iiml  iIi'Mm  rcil  his  v.i'll- 

iliri'rli'il.  ilrivin;;  tlir  cni'iiiy's   lijihl  ti |is    aiiiii'il   shuts  with   I'alal   fll'i'i't  :   :iml   thmi'.'h 

lii'l'iii'i'  liini,  whi'ii  smhli'iily  thi'ir  wlmli-  ( 'aiitaiii  'I'um  sun's  ii\\  n  jrun  was  thruw  n  mit 
riilnmn.  ('iiriiiii'ii;:i'il  III  li'avf  llit'ir  I'liti'i'iii'li-  nl' aiiimi.  Iii'  sirvcil  with  iiiiahiiti'il  an'nr 
iiii'iils  in  iinli'i'  III'  hiilllr,  hfnkc  ii|iiiii  I'lirliT,  :  at  tlir  nlhiT  |^ii'crs.  ('a|itiiiii  II arris  nl'  tin' 
wliii,  mialili'  III  make  licail  ai-iaiiisl  such  (hIiIm,  i  (lra;^iiiiii.s.  vliii-h  ini'jis  was  nut  niinli'  iisi'  (,(', 
ri'tivalnl  ;  liiiFwii  sail!  with  his  nii'ii  in  vnliinfi'i'i'cil  In  scim' nut  nf  his  plaiM'  anil 
ilisiiiijir.  I'liit  then'  was  nasnn,  I'mnr  tlir  Innl  his  lini'si' shut  nmli'f  him.  .Mainr  WhihI 
I'M'iits  III'  till'  ha  I  ill'  w  hiili  I'lisiii'il,  III  lii'li.".  !•    nl'  till'  rii'.rini'i  rs  al  -n  sitvi'iI  as  a  '.nlnnii'iT. 

that   till'    lii'lii'i'al    liniiistly  ih'|ii iati'd    ihi'    ( 'iilniic!  ( 'ain|iliill.  t  hi' mily  nllii'cr  ili>-"Mi'(l. 

Viiluiili'iT  I'lii'ii'.  liiall  I'nllnwi'il  i'lii'li'i' w  il  h  was  wuiimli'il  as  he  h  d  lln'  I'li'Vi'iilh  i<"  1- 
firi'iit  I'liiunintiiin  III' arms  ami  I'iiiinls  III' iliisi,  nii'iit  iiitn  ai'tinn.  \\  liili'  it  was  Va'.;ii"C 
Mi|i|iiisiiiii'  himsi'ir  till!  assailant  hy  aiitiri-  (ii'iii'ral  I'lrnwii  arri\i'i|  ami  clii'i'ri'i!  i!in 
]iatini;  an  ('X|ii'i'tri|  attark.  'I'lii'  jilai  r  nl'  lirsi  hrii;aili' with  asMirani'r  that  t  he  si  riinl 
actiiiii  tn  whii'li  Scntt  with  thi'  iiilvani'i'il  wnnhl  sunn  cnim' tn  its  aid.  which,  in  k'llcil 
lii'ii_rai|i'  was  thus  inviti'd.  and  t'ni'thwith  ami  wnnnili'd.  had  Inst  a  Innrlli  nl'iis  niiiii- 
liasiiiii'il.  was  a  jilaiii  mi  thi'  I'ast  sidi'  nt'  the  lii'rs,  yi't  uiishriiikini:l\  I'nntiniird  tin-  in  timi 
rlvi'r,  in  rrniit  nl' till'  lii'ilish  I'litri'mhinriils.  iilmii'.  Tin'  'Jlst  rr;.iliiiriit  t'l'mii  lliplcy's 
till'  tiiai' aliiinl  live  n'cintk  in  t  Im  alti'mnmi.  hriuradi'.  imtw  ilhstaniliiiij;  cmtv  iNrilimi  to 
within  slinrt  distaiici'  nt'  tin'  l''alls  n|'  Xj.  <v,>i  tn  the  lirniind  in  tiini',  did  iint  arrivo 
airara,  wlinsi-  dull  inmintnnmis  rmif,  us  it  till  tin'  cni'iiiy  wi'i'c  rmiti'd  hy  Smtt  almm. 
wuri'  a  tiicsin  or  iilann  lu'll  tn  rnii.sc'  the  |  Tin'  .N'i'W  Ynrk  vnlnnti'iTs  did  tint  jniii 
cnndiatants  tn  aclinii,  ai:cniii)ainii'd  tlm  cnn-    tlii'  divisimi  till  alter  the  hattif:  tlm  vninn- 

slant  ('.\|ilnsinns  nt'  vannnii  and  rapid  ilis-    tciT  hminrs  nf  which  lu'lnii^  tn  tin hnn- 

(•liar;i,i's  (if  ninski'try  tiir  iimri'  than  an  dri'd  I'rnnsylvanians  •whn,  timii'/h  cnni- 
limir  at  (diisc  (jiiarti'i's.  thinninii' till'  A  nii'i'i-  I'lllid  hy  Mi|ii'viiir  iinniln'i's  tn  ii'trnat  at 
can.  and  iiinrc  tiian  dccimnliiiL;-  the  liritish  liist.  rallii'd  tn  anntlici'  (lart  nl'  the  cmidlcfc 
ranks,  .Majnr  (iriii'i'iil  liiall  had  with  him  with  urcat  s|iirit.  In  the  misi't  which  jiri'- 
siinii'  si'vcnti'i'ii  hiimlri'd  nii'ii.  hravcly  led  ceded  the  main  cn'.i-atremeiit.  ( leneial  I'nrtir 
liy  (.'nlnni'l  (innlmi  ciiiiiinandiiiL;  the  llnyal  with  these  vnlnnteers  eneniintered  almnttho 
Scuts,  the  iOdlli  regiment  nt'  infantry  led  same  iinmhcr  of  ("anadiaii  militia  and  In- 
liy  the  .Mai-ijiiis  nl" 'I'weedale.  .Majnris  K\  alls  !  dians.  and  drnve  them  hehind  the  Uiw  nf 
ami  Itisic  with  di'tachments  of  the  cieilith  J  the  jiriiiclpal  Uritisli  cnlnnui,  destrnyin'r  at 
rejiimeiit  nf  iid'anlry  and  nim'teeiith  nf  dra- !  leiist  nne  hundred  and  tifty.  Cnlnnel  Ken- 
pnnns,  ('a)ilaiii  Maehmiachie  and  the  rnyal' tnn.  with  the  vnlnntiers.  fnrim^l  in  lino 
artillery,  Lieiiteiiant-t 'nlmiels  I'earsmi  ami,  with  (icneral  Scmt.  and  sfadily  sustained 
Dicksnn  nf  the  militia,  and  a  hndy  nf  In-itiie  destructive  liritish  tire  nf  cannnnado 
dians.  Scntt  was  diilliii'j;  liis  men  when  |  and  ninskctry,  till  their  retreat  liejran, 
ordered  into  actimi.  'I'nwsnn's  hatterv  nf  i  wlii'H  Cnlnnel  Hull.  .Major  (iallnway  ami 
three  oiin.s  was  tirst  i|iiickly  aihanceil  tn  j  ('ajitain  White  of  the  volunteers,  ton  oatrcr 
tiie  jilain  on  the  river  front  nf  the  .American  !  in  ]Fnrsnit  and  exhausted  liy  exertion,  were 
caiiiji  liefni'e  Scntt  could  fnrni.  The  liattle  made  |irisom'rs.  The  I'ritish  artillery  was 
lieijjan.  hv  Tnwsnn's  animated  lire  frniii  tlie  ;  admirahly  served:  Init  the  musketry  of  the 
liank  nf  the  ri\er,  an  nliicer  nn  all  nccasimis.  ■  |ieniile  to  whom  tlie  use  nf  arms  is  fori lii Idea 
]irnm|>t.  indiciniis.  cheerful  and  effectiM'.  |  liy  severe  ]ienal  laws,  till  put  in  tlieir  hands 
v\  hn  eiiinyeil  the  tire  and  uproar  of  jire;it  ;  as  enlisted  soldiers,  did  not,  as  it  cannnt, 
fi'iins.  'file  enemy  cniisideralilv  oiitnunihcr- :ei|iial  that  ot'  those  accnstomed  from  in- 
inij;  ontlianked  Si'ott's  line,  and  mi,!i;ht  have  i  fancy  to  handle  <;uns,  and  nf  cnurse  nmro 
turned  it  Init  for  iHie  nf  tlios(>  ins])ii'ed  j  dexterous  in  their  nninauemeiit.  The  Anie. 
luoxeuieiUs  which  cbaiijje  a  jieriious  crisis  |  rican   gnimery  altogether  superior  ty  the 


90 


JESSUP'S  ACCOrXT  OF  THE  BATTLE. 


[1,^;;. 


I  ?.1 


1^.  Y%' 


J^ 


Endisli.  tho  ofinnon,  tlic  musket,  niul  thi>  :  mir  lino,  tlint  ii  solilicr  of  tlio  2"tli  ivum 
I'illc.  ili'iiiniistiMtcd  ils  sn]i('i'i(iriry  tliiit  day  |  woiiiiil<<l  not  iiinri'  t!i;r.i  tliivtv  ]i;i  is  in 
liy  l<iilin;i  iji'  wouikUhu;  iiciirly  two  Kii^H'^ii  IVont.  Siniic  tiiiu'  in  tin'  ((.ri'iKidii.  (Ii-ihtiiI 
to  niii"  Aiiii'i'ii^an,  At'tn- an  hour's  san;:;ni- !  I'ctci'  15.  I'orti'i-  arrixivi  >itli  three  or  I'nui' 
nary  coiilesl,  tiii'  IJritish  were  inclined  to  Inindreil  Indian  warriors,  and  about  thrco 
(•han.!j;t!  tiieir  uncoini'ortalile  ]iositioJi  and  j  hundi'ed  J'tMinsylvania,  V(dnnt(>ers.  After 
try  the  einirjre,  for  wiiiidi  the  Americans  ,  aHowini;-  his  coninmiid  tinu!  to  refresh, 
were  jironiiitly  prepared.  J{nt  one  of  Tow- ;  (ienoral  JJrown  ordi'red  him  to  lile  from 
istni's  hest  directed  siiots  lih'W  np  an  am-  !  the  roar  of  our  camp,  pass  tlirou;;h  tho 
munition  wa;^oii,  silenced  their  Iiatteryand  j  woods,  and,  if  possildo,  place  himself  ho- 
produced  complete  confusion  in  their  r;inks.  I  twoen  the  enemy's  advance  and  his  main 
Colonel  (iordon,  the  Mar(|uis  (d' 'J'wee(hile,  j  body.  To  facilitate  this  ohject,  our  ad- 
severcdy  Wounded  ;  Cajitain  Holland,  the  aid  vanced  pickets  we're  directed  to  ]irovoke  a 
(;f  (o'lieral  irial!,  disalded  hy  wounds,  and  tire  from  the  eiiemy's  pickets,  and  then  fall 
very  lar.ire  nunilM^rs  ainouiitinj;'  to  a  full  l)a(di  to  some  loij;  cahins  in  front  of  .Street's 
thu'd  of  their  wlude  foice   killed,  wounded    house,  to   induce    IIhmu    to  follow,    and    to 

or  oajitured  ;    tho   American   ti )is  main-    ilraw,  if  p(jssil)lo,  their  light  troops  in  that 

taininji;  their  dainitless  aitittide  and  unr(>-  j  direction. 

mittinu;  lire — .it  last  as  tln^  shadows  of  sun- j  "A  heavy  tirinj);  soon  connneneod.  and 
i-et  he^^an  tn  fall,  the  IJritish  liroko,  lied,  ;  continued  iVir  nim-e  than  half  an  hour,  when 
ivnd  pursued  hy  the  victoriotis  Americans,  i  the  enemy's  light  trooj)s  were  olisin'vcd  to 
t"ok  sliclter  liidiind  (Mitrenchments.  Just  '  lie  retiring ;  iind,  from  a  (doud  (d' dust  seen 
t'. -n,  Cajilain  ivitidiie,  with  his  company  of  rising  on  tho  road  leading  to  Chijipewa 
nrtillei'y,  and  Lieutenant  Hall,  with  part  of-  llridge,  it  was  evident  (Jeneral  Itiall  was  in 
IJiddle's  compai.y,  got  up.  iJiddle  and  '  motion  with  his  princijial  f  irce,  ami  that 
"Williams,  hastening  up  with  mort>  cannon,  he  had  attemjited  with  iiis  light  troo]is  a 
but  arriving  only  to  see  the  enemy's  backs,  i  similar  rus(>  u]ion  us  to  that  which  General 
])roken  and  flying  in  disorder,  leaving  their  i  iJrown  had  attempted  upon  him.  At  the 
<li>ad  and  wouinle(l  in  charg(>  A'  tho  victors,  time  the  liring  had  become  so  heavy,  .^lajor 
By  the  Hritish  published  general  orders,  |  Jessup  ordered  the  2.")th  to  be  in  readiness 
iifty-thri-e  of  the  regiment  of  Jtoyal  Scots  to  tjiovo  iit  ti  monuiiit's  notic<>;  iiiid.  mount- 
were  a'dvuowledged  killed,  one  hundre(l  and  :  ing  his  horse,  he  crossed  tiie  cri'ek  i.iid 
thirty-fiv(\  wounded,  and  thirty  captured:  joined  (ieneral  Urown.  When  tin'  move- 
(d'  tile  .Mar<|uis  of  'i'weedale's  regiment  men*'  <d'  Uiall  was  jierceived,  ho  returiieil 
sixty-nine  killed,  one  hundred  and  thirty- 1  innnediatidy  to  his  ]dace  and  found  the 
five  woundod ;  and  so  id' the  rest,  tluaigh  re  nuMit  forming  under  arms,  by  order  id' 
not  ipiite  so  niatiy  as  of  those  tv>'o  distin-  ■  General  Scott,  for  e.\er<'isc.  A  few  mo- 
guished  regiments.  !  ments  after,  the  order  was  given  by<lenc- 

To  my  account  of  the  Ci'.vdlnal  battle  of  ral  l5rown  to  march  and  nn-et  the  enemy. 
Chippewa,  digested  from  all  autln-atic  ac- j      "Captain  'J'owson  ha<l  been  ordered   to 


cessil.ile  si.iu.'ces  of  information,  as  these 
interesting  details  will  bear  sonu'  I'ejieti- 
tion,  I  think  jiroper  to  add  ( f  eneral  dessup's 
narrative,  kindly  furnished  to  me  tis  fid- 
lows  ; 


take  a  position  with  his  artillery  near  the 
bridge  over  Street's  Creek  :  and,  as  ."^cott's 
lirigade  was  compidled  to  cross  that  bridgi; 
under  till'  lire  id'  tin;  enemy's  artillery,  ho 
reiulered   important    service    bv    c-'Nering 


"On  the  morning  of  tho  4th  of  duly.  Gen.  I  tlio  movement  and  annoying  the  enemy's 
Biall's  light  troops  were  discoviM'ed  in  oui"   line 
lioighbni'jiood. — Gen.  Scott  was  detachecl  to-  ! 
Mards  (.'hi|i]ieM-a — the  enemy  slowly  retired 
before  us — the  march  was  a  continued  skir- 
njish.  and  on  the  )dain  b"t  ween  Strei't's  ( 'reek 
and  Chippewa  our  light  trooi>s  were  warmly 


Goner  Uiall  had  formed  his  line  of 
battle,  with  his  left  resting  on  the  .Niagara, 
where  he  had  a  formidable  battery  oi' twen- 
ty-four pounders  and  howitzers;  his  right 
cousii-ting  of  his  grenadiers  and  light  iii- 


anil  vigorotisly  attacked,  but  maintiiined  ;  fantry,  coiinnanded  by  the  3lari(uis  of 
their  ground  most  gallantly.  On  thtit  oc- '  Tweedale,  suppiu'ted  by  a  body  of  militia 
oasion  (Japtain  Crocker,  of  the  Utli,  with  a  I  and    liidian.s    in    the   wood,   was    strongly 


tletachnient  of  liglit  infantry,  received  and 

ri')inlsed  a  charge  of  a  detachment  of  the 

I'.Kh  dragoons,     (ieneral  Scott,  linding  the 

enemy  strongly  posted  behind    the    Chip-] 

prnva,  called  ill  the  light  troops,  and  took  a 

position  in  tear  of  Street's  Ci'cok.  where  h(^ 

t'ncnm]ied    his   brigade.      (ieneriil    Brown 

came  up.  about  midnight,  with  the  second 

brigade    and  the   artillery.     At  dawn,  on  i  bridge,  Major  dessuii  was  ordereil  to  goto 

the  morning  of  the  5tii  of  July,  tin-  enemy  i  the  extreme  left,  and   be*  governed  liy  cir- 

Jiegan  to  annoy  our  pickets,  and  kept  up  a  1  euinstances.    31aJor  lioavenv.  'Ch,  \\ith  the 

desultory  lire  for  several  hours,  so  near  to  lUth  tind  22d,  moved  forward  on  the  Chip- 


posted  behind  a  fence  and  a  breastwork  of 
hii'ge  oak  logs.  I'orter's  connnand.  though 
it  had  for  some  time  gallantly  sustained  \\n 
unei|inil  eontlict.  had  lied  on  meeting  Kiall's 
column  ;  and  by  the  time  Scott's  Inigailo 
had  engaged  the  enemy,  not  a  mili.ia  man 
or  Indian  was  to  lie  seen  on  the  tiijil. 
AVhen   the   se\eral  corjis    had   passi'd    the 


{^ 


\i 


I 


Chap. 

pewa  r 

Colonel 

the  '.Ub 
in  the  1 
in  the 
iicdd. 
the  con 
formed 
Jcs.>ui 
outiiun 
regine 
positio 
of  the 
in  ordi 
force  I 
under 
grenaii 
the   In 
thicli 


r 


\i?i 


[h'li. 


! 


Chap.  IV.J 


COMPARATIVE  IMF.IUTS. 


91 


\l 


h 


]lf'\Va    I'llll'l    1111(1    OlliTilpicil    tllO    (MK'lllv's    Ifl't. 

Cilmicl  <'aiM|ilii'll  I.mI  :ii,'  1  Itii  to  lli'i'  Icit  nf 
the  '.'til,  and  was  alnait  ti)  take  liis  |MJsitii)ii 
ill  tli(>  line,  wlii'ii  lio  i\!(n'i\('il  a  scvoviMVdiiiKl 
ill  tin;  kii(M>,  iuid  Avas  ohli.ncd  to  li-avc  tlic 
tli'Id.  -^lajiir  JM'Xi'ill,  who  siicciM'dcil  to 
till'  (•(iinmaiid  of  tlic  n-ji-iiin-iit,  iiiiiiiciliMti'ly 
foriiii'd  it  and  li'd  it  into  artimi.  .Major 
J('s.>ii]i.  jii'ivriviiiLC  that  tlic  I'lii'iny  j!:!'i-atl_v 
outMuniiii'n'd  us  on  tlic  field  inovrd  his 
i'i>i;inii'iit  ill  coluiiui  until  ho  attaiiu'd  a 
position  within  a  hnndri'd  and  twcntv  paces 
ol'thc  jinsition  of  the  31anniis  of'Twccdiilc, 
ill  onlcf  to  deceive  him  in  i'cj!;ai'd  to  the 
force  of  his  rcji'imcnt.  There!  lie  formed 
under  a  most  destructive  tire  from  the 
rri-enadicrs  and  lij'.ht  infantry  in  front,  am 
tlie  Indians  and  the  militia,  coNcrcd  Ky  a 
thick  Wood  on  Ids  IcIt  Ihink.  lie  sonn 
found  his  position  iinteiialile,  rnd  lliiU  he 
must  eilher  retreat  or  .id\aiii'e.  The  se- 
cond liri;;ailc  not  li"in;.':  on  the  lie'd,  to  have 
fallen  hack  woidd  Iium'  uncovereil  Scott's 
left  llniik,  and  haNc  ci.aliled  the  .Mari|uis. 
hy  throwing;'  forward  his  o;renadir.rs  and 
liii'ht  infantry,  to  attack  him  on  tliat  llaiik, 
which,  pressed  as  he  then  v  as  liy  ti  supe- 
rior force  in  froiit.  would  ha\e  eaiised  liis 
instant  defeat.  Uelyiii;^'  en  the  lirmness 
and  excellent  discipline  of  his  troops,  the 
Jlajor  determiiied  to  advance  aini  try  the 
efi'ect  of  the  liayonet,  helieviii'.';  that,  even 
shiaild  he  h(>  sacrificed,  time  enon!Li;h  would 
lie  li'ained  to  eiialile  the  seeoml  liriu;id(>  to 
Come  to  the  ndief  of  the  fir^t,  lie  ordered 
his  men  to  ceasi!  firiiiii'.  and  lest  they  should 
reconinience  the  fire,  he  directed  them  to 
.su)iiiorl  their  arms.  I)eadlyas  was  the  tire 
under  wliiidi  they  wi'ro  sntferiii^r,  the  mo- 
ment they  heard  tho  words  of  command 
every  musket  was  at  ii  shoulder  and  a  sn|)- 
port.  'I'he  ehar;i;e  wiis  made.  '!'he  eninny, 
liowever,  dill  Hot  wait  to  receive  tin'  hayo- 
net.  hut  strong-  as  his  )iositiiiii  was,  he  lied 
in  confusion.  f'a]itaiii  Ketchuin.  with  one 
of  till'  li'.'.ht  con'.]ianies  of  the  l.'.")tli,  was  de- 
tached to  harass  him  and  prevent  him  from 
rallying:  the  reniainder  of  the  ven'imont 
Avas  formed  across  the  flank  of  the  line  en- 
paired  with  Scott,  and  hy  an  ohlii(iie  tire 
assailed  it  at  the  same  time  in  front  and 
rear:  part  of  the  line  jrave  way,  Init  rallied 
immediately  hehiiid  a  fence.  AN'hilst  Major 
Jessiip  was  making-  his  dispositions  to  drive 
them  from  this  jiosition,  (ieneral  l>rown 
came  u]i  and  assured  him  of  immediate 
support.  Aliout  this  time  Major  MWeill, 
relieved  liv  the  position  and  operations  of 
the  2")tli  from  a  part  of  the  force'  Mitli 
which  \\^\  had  heen  eiiira;j:cd,  with  the  ready 
presence  f  mind  and  decisinH  which  on 
nil  occasions  distini;nisheil  hini,  promptly 
threw  forward  the  jelt  of  the  11th  and  at- 
tacked ill  flank  that  jiart  of  the  enemy's 
line  wiiiidi  still  maintained  its  ;iroiiiiih 
when  the  whole  v;u\i'  "ay,  ami  Ik'il  rapidly 
behind  tho  Chipiiewa,'' 


Iji'lti-'h  ;:eneral  orders  ].nl)li>hi'd  at  Kin;;- 

>fon.  the    '.Ith    -lllh'.    liy     Lieuletc.int    ( 'olnllel 

llar\ey,  staled  tlia.i  Major-(  h'ii,ra'  UiaU 
ii-illnli<  ii\  ha\in;i  sustained  a.  \ery  !'ea\y 
loss  in  killed  i'lcl  wotinded.  includiiiii'  a  hiru:i) 
jiroportii  11  of  oilicers.  The  Montreal  Her- 
ald of  till'  I'Jth  -Jnly  announced,  with  ex- 
treme niori'ifica.tion.  that  ii  si'vere  hatlle  hud 
heen  fiiiijrht  ill  which  the  IJritish  were 
■  under  till'  necessity  of  retrcatin;^  with 
consideralile  hiss.  The  .Vdjiltant-Wciieral 
r>,iyiiis  iinule  a  similar  slatenicnt.  Tl.o 
!  IJritish  Annual  l!e;iister  of  the  year  rc- 
!  corded  the  hislciral  avowal  of  a  IJritisli 
defeat  hy  Americans  in  ('anada.  the  iltli 
•Inly,  Isi-I,  with  the  loss  of  one-thinl  of  tho 
nnmlier  of  Jliiiilishmen  eie/a^rcd. 

'I'hus  every  IJriiisli  soldier  was  impresseil 
with  the  fact,  on  IJritish  authority,  put  un- 
ipic'.i  ioiiahly  licfore  the  world,  that  sexeral 
i-eiiine'iits  of  Ih'itish  troops,  in  a  I'air  trial  of 
slieu'ilh,  in  open  li'round,  without  any  apo- 
l.,;'y  to  si^oihe  wounded  national  iiride.  were 
liel'eateil  hy  a.ii  inferior  nunihcr  of  Anieii- 
caiis:  whose  total  loss  kilied,  woundeil, 
and  mis-ill^-  \\as  ;i"JS,  not  miudi  more  than 
half  tlie  liiitisii  loss,  and  not  inie  American 
coniniissioiicd  ollieer  killed.  In  a  fair  na- 
tional trial  of  the  military  faculties.  coura;j;e, 
ai  livity,  and  fortitmh',  discip'.Ine,  fiiinnery, 
and  tactics,  for  the  first  time  the  palm  Avas 
awarded  hy  Kn'j:lislimen  to  Americans  over 
i'lniilishmi'ii.  AVithoufc  fortuitous  advaii- 
tau;e  the  jVmericans  ]irovoil  too  much  for 
the  redoiihtahle  I'liu'lisli,  tliou!j:h  superioi" 
in  niimiier,  theretofore  universally  arro- 
;ratiii^  to  theinsi  Ives,  even  with  inferior 
numhers,  a  mastery  hut  faintly  i|uestioiieii 
I  hv  most  Americans;  no  accident  to  depre- 
ciate the  triumph  of  the  youiifrer  over  the 
'older  mition:  no  more  fovtuuo  than  what, 
fa\ors  the  hraxest. 

riiysical    and    even    corporeal    national 

characteristics  di<l  not  escajie  comparison 

in    this    normal    content.      The    American 

'  rather  more  active  and  more  (h'iiionsirati\o 

than  his  an.  estors,  i.uiiiy  of  the  otlieers  of 

:  im|iosiiiji'  fl^iurc,  Scott  and  McNeill  particii- 

:  larly,  towcriiii;  with  i:ii;'aiitic  stature  ahovo 

'  the  rest,  stood  opposed  in  strikiii'j;  contrast 

to  the  short,  thick,   hrawny,  Imrly  IJiiton, 

hard  to  overcome,     A  nohleimin  of  the  liesfc 

I  lilood  <if  Scotland,  whose  dau;:hter  \v;is  af- 

,  tcrwanls  seleeted  to  continue  the  illii-frioun 

race  of  the   I)uke  of  NV'elliiietnu,  to  whoso 

eldest  son  she  was  married,  the  Mariiuis  of 

Tweedale,  with  his  sturdy  short  ]iersou,  and 

stnhhorn  courajse,  represented  the  British. 

Scott,   with    his    much    hiftler  form,   moro 

alert   and  more   osti.'iitatious   liraverv,  wan 

the   .Vmeiican  tyjio.     Even  the  names  lio- 

tokened  at  once  consan^'iiinity  and  hostility. 

Scott,  McNeill,  and  .Mciicc.  in  arms  au:aiiist 

(oirdoii,  llav,  and  Machonachie.      And  tho 

har-^h  Scolcli  nomeiiclatiirc,  eiiiniiared  with 

the  more  euphonious  sava;;o  Canada.  Chip-. 

[lewa,  ^■iaJ;•ara,  which  latter  modern  Kn^- 


-.1:'. 


IITALL'S  inrruEAT. 


[1814. 


It    .i 

■■'\ 

I 


'■I 

% 


It 


t 

■I 


A 


';  r.' 


lisli  iivdsoily  ln-<  iMirnipd'il  fVoiu  lli(>  iiu^iisui-c    hirv  lviii)'\v1('(l;i'(\  and  iinavdiilalily  liiviilloiis 
oi' <!iil(Umitirs 'I'raNi'llrr: — ■ 


AVIioro  wilil  Osui'ijo  Bprcids  \w.x  sw:im|is  riroiin 
Ami  Niatt'ira  Htuiis  willi  lliiimlcriiw  siiiiiul. 


ilic  tMiiiimiiinli'i's  who  sii|ii'rsc(l('il  liiin  in 
liiii-;!'  lirld  -.  ami,  a>  hi'  iliiai^riit.  i'(i1>Iiim1  liiiii 
111'  their  renown,  lie  ileseriln'ii  it  as  an 
"iilisiinate  cdiitest.  fonirht  on  a  jilain,  and 
Twii  nnrnlnnate  \i>nn'j;  men.  a  captain  in  diiM'et  order,  whose  siin|di('ity  presenleil 
and  a  lieutenant,  sternly  if  lU't  liar.shly  I  lew  occasions  lor  dis|ijay  of  hiclical  skill: 
fciii;^iniiti/.ed,  (one  iif  them  the  son  ol'  a  re-!  literally  a  trial  oi'  streuLrtli  and  conr;iii;e, 
^^(leetaMe  nn'niherid"  the  war  ]iarty  in  the  ^  hreast  to  hreast,  in  which  thc>  .Vnn'rican 
Hinise  of  Keprcsentatives  with  ns.)  in  j  arms  Irinniidn-d.  IJri^-adier-tieneral  Scott 
JJrown's  oltii'lal  disjiateh.  as  wantin;:;  sjiirit,  !  I(>d  his  corps  to  the  alla(dK  with  coiispicnoUH 

Vcre   the    rai x^'eptioiis    to   tiie    t;eneral  '  ijalhintry,  in   which   he   was  su|i]iorte(l   liy 

rule,  and  there  was  reas  ui  to  ilonht  the  j  thre(>  Held  ollieers.  .Majors  .)essn|i.  Leaven- 
iu-;|ice  oi' that  severity.  W  ilh  those  excep- !  worth,  ami  .McNeill,  of  whom  it  is  no  ilis- 
lions  cvi'ry  (dlicer  and  man.  inspired  hy  i  parau^nnnit  of  the  (icner.il  to  say.  that  they 
their  adinirahle  leadi'rs.  !'o\)jfht  as  i|'  the  ;  were  his  in'"eriors  in  n;int:ht  hut  the  acci- 
I'ale  of  the  day  depended  on  each  one.  i  dental  circnnistance  of  rank.  The  c(.Mtest 
J5rii;adier-(;eneral    Scott,    Majors    licaven-    for  j;'lorv  was  ai'ilent  and  nnii'oi-m.  from  tln^ 


wiu'lh.  .lessnp.  and  ^r'N'eill,  Captains 
Croidcer,  'I'ow^on,  Harrison,  and  .Vnstin, 
(IJnnvii's  aid.)  liiiMiten.mis  Worth  and 
Watts,  (the  aids  (d'Scolt.)  were  inniiediatelv 


ranks  to  the  liriuadier.  lint  it  was  .Major 
f)('ssn]i's  fortune  to  he  most  closely  on;.';nt!;ei|  ; 
jtrcssed  in  front  and  llaidc.  he  found  it  ne- 
cessary to  ai>]ie:il  to  the  liayonet.  and  his 
l)r(>\<'tt(>d  ;  Captain  ilari'ison.  noi  oidy  for  anta'i'onists  rei'oiled."  'I'luMdnirm  of  IJiilish 
active  hravery,  hut  more  dillicult  passive  military  in\  inciliilily  was  as  elfeclnally 
«>ndnrancc.  Sevendy  wonndeil  hy  a  cannon  ;  l.roken  hy  a  single  hriji'tnle,  as  Mnit  of  naval 
I'iiil.  hi'  |ireserved  his  serenity  and  I'cfnscd  ;  suprennu-y  was  liy  a  sin;;li'  fi'it;;ite.  as  n\ncli 
all  help  till  the  enemy  was  licjit.  Worth,  as  if  a  lari^'(>  army  or  licet  inid  heen  tlio 
the    handsonii'    and    irallant    lieutenant    of  a;:'<'iii. 

that  diiy.  is  the  .Major-',  leneral  who  has;  Afl(>r  all  dotn- and  written,  from  Cyrus  to 
roalizcil  its  nnirtial  ]ii'(nnise  hy  nnn\iM-ons  Xa]ioleoii,  on  warfare,  ihere  is  no  ma;;ic, 
feats  (if  siildiorship.  and  now  with  (!ener;il  nor  mucii  mystery,  in  a  science  of  whiidi 
Scott  in  Mexico,  swi'lls  to  a  volume  of  fanu'  vi'^ilance,  diliL^'cnce,  and  execution,  are  the 
the  pa:re  unrolled  at  Chippewa.  .  irts,  force  conc(>ntratei!  on  a  point,  hy  Mows 

The  hattle  known  hy  that  n;une  has  never  repeated;  with  success  supi'i'addinu;  its 
])Oen  ai>i>reciated  as  it  ontrht  to  lie.  .Man-  nmral  to  tin'  physical  power  employed  in 
kind,  impressed  hy  nnmliers  and  hloodshed.  i  action.  To  orii'.iniy.e  vicl(n'y  the  simple 
ri'irard  the  second  more  exti'Usive  hattl(Miear  ;  method  is.  to  he  in  earnest  and  not  afralil. 
the  Falls  (d'  .Niairara,  on  the  'l'i(\\  of  Ihi'  On  these  lessons  of  mother  wit,  to  a  liold 
same  month,  hetween  the  same  ]iarties  wilh  man,  with  a  stout  jierson,  thirstin;;  for  fanu'. 
British  reinforcements,  known  as  the  hattli'  -laeoh  IJrown.  the  (v'uaker  s(dioolmaster, 
<d"  I5rid;:'ewater.  as  more  im]ioi'tant  than  its  pnrsueil  his  triumiihant  march  in  Canada 
jir(>cnrsoi'.  So  .laeksou's  saUixninary  defeat  aftiT  the  \  ieiory  of  Chippew  a.  I 'ri'pa rations 
of  the  Ki/'.i:lish  altackinir  him  the  Mh  -laiui-    were  made  imm.'diately  on   the  (ilh  duly  to 

ary.  his  ni\inst!y('cli]ised  his  more  iaast<'rly    ovei me    itiall    in    his  entreiu'hments,  cn- 

])reliniina!'y  attaek  ot' them  the  'J.'ld  Ueccm-;  feehl"i|  hy  deaths,  sore  with  wounds,  niorti- 
lu'r,  on  wliiidi  the  fate  of  New  Orleans,  ami,  i  tiiMl  ami  disconra.ii'ed.  IJ'at  hy  jiart  of 
]>erlia;)s.  the  seipiel  of  the  war.  (lepemh'd.  lirown's  f  n-ee.  could  Im  resist  it  altojo'ther, 
TIio  victory  (d' Cjiippewa  was  the  resni'ree-  llnshed  with  triumph.'  .\ftir  jii'iiund  was 
tion  or  liirth  of  .Vmericaii  arms,  after  their  marked  for  the  i\merican  tiattei'ies,  ami 
jn'ostration  hy  so  loiii;  disuse,  and  when  at  other  ari'ant;ements  for  attack.  Itiall.  dis- 
len'_'th  taken  n|>  ai'/ain  hy  such  continual  concerted,  destroyed  his  artillci'y.  ahan- 
and  deplorahle  failures,  that  the  martial  and  dom'd  his  inrrenchnn'iits.  and  <leciim]ped. 
moral  intlm'tu-e  (d'  the  first  ch>cided  victory  ,  I'littinj^  jiart  (d'  his  troops  in  V(n't  (ie(n';!;e, 
opcm^l  ami  characterize  an  epoch  in  the  |  where  Colonel  'I'ueker  commandi'd,  with 
annals  tind  intercourse  of  the  two  kiinlred  ;  the  rest  Uiall  retired  twehc  miles  further 
and  rival  nations,  whose  lan'.;na;r''  is  to  he  up  the  lake  to  Twenty-mile  Creek,  there  to 
wpoken  as  their  institutions  ari>  raiiidly  jirepare  for  reven;i;e  :  worsteil.  hut  not  cou- 
Hpre.idint!;  tliront;hont  nnist  of  m.iidvind.  sternate(l.  lirown  directly  follow  e(|.  and 
Fought  helwcen  only  some  three  or  fiair  ,  diirin;^  three  precious  weeks,  with  the  ene- 
thonsaml  men  ii»  hoth  armies,  at  a  jdace  ;  my  cooii.^d  up  in  Fort  tieor^xi'.  from  the  r)th 
remote  fr(un  either  of  their  countries,  the  :  to  the  2")th  duly,  was  undisputed  master  of 
Ijattle  of  Clii]i]iewa  nnty  not  hear  vulirivr  [  that  ]U'uinsula,  wdiich  he  mijsht  ha' o  held 
caniiiarison  with  the  irreat  n)ilitary  eniriii;-e-  ;  auiainst  tmy  force  the  enemy  could  Ininu;  to 
nn'nts  oi  nmdern  Fiirope.  IJut  few  hetter  i  oppose  him,  provided  Chaunccy  took  coui- 
judi;es,  less  disposed  to  either  flattery  ov  '  nnmd  of  Lake  Ontario,  as  In' did  from  and 
partiality,  have  pronounced  (Ui  its  merits  ^  after  the  lii'sV  day  of  .Aini'ust,  anil  wasex- 
tliaa  \V  ilkinson.  a  man  of  education,  mill-  :  peeled,  ii  he  had  not  e\en  pronusi'd  Lo  do, 


rii.M". 
l.y  the 

in\estei 

movcmi 
oMWi'n 
keep  l: 
IIMSal   r. 
lll'\cl'  li 

the  !•-! 
p;ii;j:ii  V 


a 


1.S14. 

him  ill 

'li  liiiii 

as   ill) 

in.  iiiid 

.-il'llllMl 

skill: 

.iini;;c, 

UTicilll 

Scott 

IK'llllllS 
li'il  hy 
icavcii- 
iio  (lis- 
1  tlicy 
'  iu'ci- 
(. litest 
"111  tli(> 

.Miijor 


fiiAf.  IV. T 


TMiowN's  RF/rrrtN  TO  rnippKWA. 


03 


H 


liv  till'  l">tli  •Tilly.  Slimilil  I'crt  (Jror^rc  Ijc  j 
imcstnl,  (ir  IJi.ill  iiltacknl  Ky  a.  siiil(|c;i  j 
iiiiiM'iiiriit  nil  liiiii.  iiiiM'c  I'Kiil'iiriiialilc  to  the  ! 
(iii\Vi'i-il  ciiiirsi'  tlius  lar'.'  It  was  rsscntial  fn  I 
ki'cii  iii'ar  ii;l<'lli;i-i'iii-!',  rc'iiili'i'cMnii.iii.-,  ami  j 
nasal  cii-diirr.itiiiii,  auxioiisiy  rN|i('c-ici|,  luii 
iii'ViT  tci  ciaiii',  fVniii  Sackrll's  llarliiif.  On 
tli(^  l-ill  •'illy,  tlu"  only  wrnli^'  nl'  the  Oillii- 
iiaiirn  wa.s  pcriH'tratcil  ami  |iiiiii:  linl  ;  tlic 
liaiiili't  (if  St.  I'aviil's  was  Imnit  liy  ( 'cildiicl 
SliiiH',  of  llic  .\iw  York  militia,  ri'taiiatiii;:' 
smiii-  li'ii'ls  liciwccii  tlii'iii  and  till'  Ciina- 
iliaiis.  Iiisianlly  (lisa\  iiwnl  liy  Urowii. 
Stniii'  was  i  iili;:iiaiitly  ilisrlitirjird.  lici'ol- 
Icctiiiiis  of  till-  (li'vastatioiis  in  New  Vurk, 
canscil  liy  Marliirc's  (•()nl!a!j;ralions  in  Ca- 
iiaija,  in  l>ri'i'iiilii'r,  wrrc  too  tla;;'raiit  f'nr 
ri']irtiliiiii  lit'  liiii'ilcr  liarliaritics,  wiili  Ami'- 
rir  111  I'ii"f  N'ia;j;!ira  irai'i'isnni'il  hy  l';ii;ilisli 
in  lull  vii'W.  On  tin'  l.'Uii  -Inly,  (ii'iicral 
.)iii'ii  Swill,  an  ■.\'j:<''\  ami  ciiti'i'iirisin;;-  olliccp 
el'  .'\v  York,  siii-ci'ssl'iilly  ri'roiiTiiiiti'rin^ 
l-..ri  <li'i'!';_;i',  \v;is  niiinlricl  liy  a  |ii'isniicr 
111  till'  vri'v  iii't  III'  l>i','!;i;iiiL;'  ami  ri'cciviin:' 
(jiiaitrr.  On  tin'  I'ltli  •Inly.  ( li'ncral  i'ur- 
t^'i'.  Avitli  liis  iii'iiraili'  (if  Miiiinlrci's,  .Majnr 
AV'iiiiil.  Ill'  llii'  I'nii'inci'i's,  ami  Caiitaiii  llit- 
cliic.  wiili  two  picri's  ol'  ariiHi'vy.  ilrii\i'  in 
till'  pirki'is  at  r'ul't  <  li'iirij;!',  ami  t'nrim'ii  llif 
liri:j;ail('  within  a  niih'.  in  .  '.ll  \ii'\v  of  tin' 
flirt,  wltli  little  inteiTii|itiiin.  Colonel  \\  il- 
(••ir'.s,  with  his  American  ('an.nlians;  Cap- 
tains Hall.  Ilai'iliii;j,',  mill  I'l't'eiinin,  of  the 
New  Vi.rk  Miliinteers:  ami  Captain  l'"iem- 
iiiinif,  with  Indian  warriors,  advaiieeil  under 
c:i\cr  of  a  I  lift  of  woods  within  musket  shot 
of  the  firt,  and  t;a\e  .Major  Wood  an  op- 
]iiirtiiiiity.  with  hardly  any  loss,  to  examiin* 
the  work-^:  only  a  few  ol'Cnpiain  liou^ih- 
teii's  .\e-,v  York  cavalry  lieiiio-  siirpris(M,l 
anil  caiilnred. 

rnl'orlnnately,  ('.iiiiniodnre  Cliaiincey  was 
ill ;  I  at  nut  more  iil  than  W'olle  wlcii.  storni- 
i,,-'llie  ilei;;:hts  .if  .\ I .r;- lia 111.  he  took  (^le- 
licc,  iii'.d  expelled  l''reiicli  po'.ver  from  Ca- 
milla ;  or  .lacksoli,  when  he  repulsed  the 
iJiilish,  with  !i;r(-at  slaii;:'liter,  from  Lou- 
isiana. Well  acipiainteil  with  the  country, 
and  inf  irnieil  of  the  enemy's  unnilier,  loca- 
tion, and  condition,  lirowii's  coiidm  t  and 
oiirrespoiidence  hreatlied  the  utmost,  per- 
haps (!Xtravaj;aiit  conlideiice.  I'mm  the 
nei^^hhorhood  of  Qiieenstown,  on  tln^  l.'ith 
July,  wliile  recomioiterinu;  I'ort  (!eor!j;e,  he 
■wniti^  to  Cliannc(>v,  "  l"or  (iod's  sake,  lei 
mesne  vmi.  .Ml  accounts  a'liee  that  the 
force  ol'  the  enemy  at  Kin;istoii  is  very 
liiCht.  I  do  init  doul't  niy  afility  to  nieci 
them  in  the  Held,  atn!  m;ircli  in  any  di- 
rection over  their  country,  your  t'cet  ear- 
ryini;;  for  me  the  necessary  siqiplies.  We 
can  threaten  l'"orts  (icor<;e  and  Niagara. 
cxrry  iJurlin;iteii  lleijihts  and  York,  and 
proceed  direct  to  Kinj:;stoii  and  carry  that 
piac(\  We  li.'ivi-  hetween  lis  sutlicicnt  means 
to  cmupier  rppia-  Camida  in  two  months, 
if  tlicre  is  prompt  and  zcalouy  (;u-operatioii 


liefore  tlie  r'ncniy  caTi  lie  ;;really  rein- 
forced." 'I'll!'-,  it  may  lie.  extrav a;_init  hut 
not  nil  foil  111  h'd  ciiiilideiice,  Chauncey.  siill'cr- 
in;;'willi  fi'scrish  pru^i  ration,  reprimanded 
a.-:  "a  sinisier  aiicinpt  to  render  I  he  licet  mi  I  :- 
ordinate  to,  or  an  iippenila;;e  of.  the  army.'' 
I'lven  if  so,  it  was  hetter  for  him,  and  nimdi 
lietter  for  till'  coniilry,  so  to  serve  than  de- 
ninr  for  smh  a  cause.  He  did  nothin^r  with 
his  licet  ill  all  comparalde  to  what  IJrowii 
proposed  for  it.  A  hrave  and  skilful  sea- 
man, (d"  whom  IJriiwn's  exactions  may  liavo 
hceii  iinreasonahle,  deiniirred  iipmi  si'Kish 
and  iiiistakeii  di;;;iiily.  Thoiijih  the  navy 
"  iniiihl  he  somewhat  of  a  convenienci',  he 
(!onfess('d,  in  the  transjiorlatioii  of  provi- 
sions and  stores  for  the  army,  yet  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Xa\y  had  v-i\''"  him  the  liiijlicr 
(I'rxfiiii/  to  seek  and  lijilit  the  enemy's  licet." 
On  the  l!2d  duly,  Mrown  was  advised  liy 
(ieniM'al  (Jaiiies,  commanding;-  at  Sackett'H 
Ilarhor,  that  iiotonly  the  fleet,  hut  even  tlio 
;iiiiis  and  rilleiiien  he  had  sent  for,  (in  hoals, 
if  the  Coiuniodori!  should  not  accompany 
them  with  his  sipiadron,)  were  liIo(d<aiIed  hy 
the  enemy.  Doiilitless,  it  was  material  that 
Chauncey 's  \c-sels  should  lie  exercised  oil 
the  lake,  hel'ore  l.rmijihl  into  action  with 
Urilish  vessels  accustoiiK  d  lo  it.  IJiit  tlio 
American  Cnnimodore's  demur  was  unlucky, 
if  not  untimely.  Tlic  navy  had  fought  il,'^ 
way  to  pulilic  re;j;ai-il.  1 1  lieeame  the  spoiled 
pet  id'  the  country.  History  must  not  re- 
)iress,  dial  in  Se]  ieniher.  Is'i;!  (vol.  i.  d'JO), 
and  •Inly,  ISIJ,  the  Mpiadroii  on  Lake  On- 
tario, lioih  times  when  l)urIin;iton  Hay  and 
llei^i'hts  were  in  view,  twice  disaiipninteil 
ffcneral  ex])ectalioli. 

< .'oiistrained  to  ahide  that  disa)i]iiilntineiit, 
(leneral  Hiov.ii  siiifered  oilier  prl\  ation.s. 
Five  hundred  ri;.':i:iar  iroops  id'  Ceneral 
.Mi-i\rlliur's  lirip,ai''-  orderi  d  to  his  sup- 
port, and  airivin;;  i!  >  <{{]  of  .Inly  from  l)i'- 
troit  at  Mvie  in  J'em,  <ylvania.  did  not  reach 
Canada  till  after  the  s^'cond  liattle  at  tin) 
i-'alks  of  Mascara.  Those  cimninir  atteiid- 
ant.s  on  fortune,  sidfish.  and  dastardly  ih'- 
serters  in  c;>  ei-jjeiu'v,  the  Jndians,  all  left 
Iht)  Ameiiea;',  stamlanl.  On  the  twenty- 
scc,(uid  of  >JiiIy,  when   I'rown  reliiiipiishcd 

the  last  lio| f  proiii|it  naval  co-operation, 

his  [iredieament  hccai'io  iirecarioiis.  Hut 
resolved  not  to  aliandoii  tfu^  oiiterfiriso  bc- 
^1111,  lie  came  to  tin;  hcvoic  if  iiol  <ilespo- 
rato  determination  to  discnciimhcr  his 
army  of  liajiiiapie,  and  juish  forward  to  Rur- 
linji'ton  ileijihts  at  all  events.  To  mask  tliafc 
movement,  and  also  i'e)di'nisli  his  provi- 
sii  lis  from  .stores  at  Schlosse-,',  the  army 
was  led  haidc  to  Cliipjiewa  on  the  L'.'^th  of 
•Inly,  w  liosi;  idassic  erounds  and  [H'oiid  ro- 
(!ol lections  .soon  elicited  the  iiiemoruljio 
aidiicvcmeiits  of  one  of  the  most  oli>tinatc, 
sanj.i.iiinary,  and  altoj;othe)'  oxtraonlinary 
hatlli  s  by  nixlit.  Invidiously  criticisinj^ 
the  wild  (incouuter  of  that  bio  ;dy  iii/ht, 
Wilkioson  condomun  fc^cott  for  rebuking  ua 


'.y'x, 


zr 


•b''j' 


i 


a.  i 


94 


BllTTISlI  FOnCK  IX  CAXADA. 


I' 


[1814. 


ollircr's  sii,;i''j;cstinii  (if  I'circtit.  I)_v  ;i]i]i(';iln;,u- ,  Kiii1"ilil"iii'il  ),y  tlif  confusion  in  wliich 
to  lii>ii)ry  I'lT  ofcnsidiis  when  iirniii's  van- i  ii  iici'iili'.xi'il  and  nljscurr  cnnflict  clo^ccl  iil'tor 
f(iiisli('(l  I'liiir  time.-- tliriniuiiilMM'.    Drown  iiml    nrn'iniLi:lit,  iind  tin'  I'l'ti'iMt  (if  tin;  Aiiiciiciin 


Si'dtt  oci'iI'mI  not  to  rci-ui'  to  suicicnt  liist,,i-_v 
foi-  the  military  wi-dnni  of  never  tlesjiairine- 
and  seldom  yieldinir.  Not  Ion;;'  jieforo, 
ljonii))in't(',  snntehin'.;  victory  from  almost 
defeat  at  Marenp;o.  installed  tlie  greatest  (d 
modern  (unpires.  Some  years  aft'M',  W(drn 


army  next  day,  tlie  IJritidi  claimed  victoi'v, 
witli  some  )ihiiisilile  jireteiisioiis.  'I'iii^y 
(daim,  too.  iiii'eriority  of  nuniliers.  tlion^li 
minli  sniierior.  in  tlieir  own  well-ida  'eu 
position,  with  hotter  armament,  more  am- 
nninition,  and  every  nicans  i>{'  siH'(.-ess,  wlien 


ton,  from neardefi>atat  Waterloo. demolislied  I  they  were  defeated  in  that  impressive  trial 

tliat   cmiilrc'  and  reeonstrncteil   J'',nro)ie. —     if  arms. 

Withont  official  antliority  for  their  nnm- 
lun',  lun'ond  their  own  aeconnts,  (diar^ca- 
Ide  with  the  nsiial  jiarliality  of  snidi  state- 


Tlie  .Vmerican  jieneral's  smaller  scale  had 
ii  tlestiny  to  fuliil.the  idiaracter  of  an  aiaiiy 
to  veih-em.  and  honorahle  terms  of  jM>ac(> 
to  vomdis;ife:  allof  wlTudi  th(>  second  liattle 
fif  the  Falls  consecrated  at  l>rid'j,-ewater  or 
Lnndy's  Lane,  as  it  is  varionsly  called. 
t^n)ieradded  to  tho  tirst  known  as  tliat  of 
(.!hip|iewa 


ments,  tlie  i'ln^tlisli  forces  in  Canada,  that 
summer,  exceeded  all  the  ree'ular  troops  of 
the  I'niteil  Stat(^s,  anywhere  on  this  cou- 
tiniMit.  'J'hen^  were  considevaldi'  forces  in 
''anaihi  before  jieace   in   Fairoiie  mnltiplie(l 


Owini;-,  iirolialdy,  to  flenerals  Brown  an'1  j  tlieni.       The    Kastern     i'ritisii    ]ndvnices, 
Scott  l)(>inii-  disaliled  hv  wounds,  no  oflicial  '  Nova  Scotia  and   New  .i»runs\vi(d<,    ailded 


aeeiiunts  ni'  that  (niii-a;;-ement  vea(dieil  us 
till  the  middle  id"  .Vn.nnst,  when  th"  I'.i'itish 
nnu'idied  ujion  Wasliine;ton,aud  supersediu  j; 
("amida  in  pnldic  interest,  ahsorhed  atten- 
tion. Dissension  am<Mijr  .ii'cnerals.  infeetinijc 
vh(de  corps,  and  in'ejudicini:  individuals, 
produced  contlictin.;;' ami  invidious  accounts 
Jrom  ofHciM-s  in  the  action.  The  confusion 
of  a  ni;;hv  conllict,  its  vicissitudes,  contra-' 
dictions,  mistakes,  and  disputeil   catastr( 


many  to  ('anadi;iu  levies.  wlTudi  were  nn- 
nnM'ous  and  widl  oruani/ed.  Karly  in  July 
reinlorc(>ments  l)eu;an  to  arrive  f'rcm  Mu- 
rope,  V  itii  the  utmost  pcrf(^cti(Ui  of  n  ilitary 
avmaiin'Ut  and  naval  transportation  fui 
lioard  many  transpcn-t  voss(ds,  thoMi^h  the 
unem]>loyeil  Uritish  na'  v  was  itsidf  siiffi- 
ci(iit  to  convey  lar;;'e  ai'mies  Avithout  em- 
ployinix  transpiu'ts.  Aceordinj;  to  f^uglish 
and    Canadian    cre(li!i'c>    puhlications,    the 


plie  C(mtr.ivert(Hl  lietween  Kniilish  and  \  ex)iedition  to  America  was  on  a  lar.ic  scale, 
Americans,  and  annmsi-  the  latter  them-  '•  to  lie  connnanded  hy  i  lientenant-pnuM'al, 
selves,  oliscuvo  and  ]i(>rplex  the  realities  of  |  and  several  c(delirari d  u  'nerals,  leadin.;:'  tlu; 

i'/ifc  (>{  the  Duke  (d'     ,  "llino-ton's  army  to 
tho    ]innislun(nit,   if    not  connviest,  of   tho 


that  affair,  of  whiidi,  from  all  those  cansos. 
no  full  ov  satisfactory  acconnt  has  been 
pulilished.  Military  reports  of  liattlos,  b(!- 
inji  compih  il  from  the  varions  statements  of 
(lilferent  officers,  mi  one  witm^ssinii:  move 
than  part,  few  aeree  in  what  they  did  wit- 
ness.    Any  sketch  taken  from  them  nniv  he 


Avhide  Fniteil  States. 

Xo  better  use  could  lie  made  of  that  larp;o 
dis])osaiile  fircethan  to  send  them,  in  e-i-cat 
numbers,  to  ^Vmcrica.  It  was  cheajier.  more 
iiolitic.  less  otfensi\('  to  the  oflicers  and  s(d- 


•wroULj.  and  must  lie  imperfect,     dealousy  of  |  diors  than  to  disliaml  them  at   home,  t'lat 

they  shouhl  lie  emidoyed  abroad,  where,  if 
nnmy  perished,  it  was  an  economy.  Attacks 
on  i\w  State  of  New  York,  throu.L^h  Canada, 
ami  on  tlm  city  by  watm-;  <ni  New  Kntrland 
throu^lh  New  Brunswick;  on  Ijouisiana 
from  Ib'i'inuda,  and  on  all  the  .\tlartie  coast 
from  Boston  to  Sa\aiin!ili,  wei'e  the  eii;'antic 
jilan  of  an  iiu-ensed  nation.  Of  the  troops 
destineil  for  their  execution,  it  was  said  that 
twenty -five  thousand  were  to  be  laiideil  fVoni 
F,nro]ie    at   <^)nebec,   and   t(Mi    tlmusaml  at 


the  different  kinds  of  troops,  ot  hrisi'anes, 
roj;'iments,  and  individuals,  of  ea(di  other, 
to  say  uothinji  of  national  preiiolices.  bei^et 
ohi>r;;'es  of  injustice,  to  whi(di  this  sket(di. 
thou^ih  maile  from  all  rtdialile  information, 
American  and  Kniilish,  may  be  obnoxious. 
But  without  nnitive  to  misi'(>preseni.  care 
lias  beei\  taken  to  (Uscrilie,  corrccfly,  that 
rennirkable  conflict. 

The  liattle  of  Bridjimvater  was  nin'xpect- 
Cfl  to  both  armies,     (jeneral   Itiall  had  fVd- 


lowed    Brown    finm    the    nei;fhliorhood    of ,  Halifax.    While  Brown  nniintained  his  foot- 


(Jueenstown  to  the  Falls,  withont  his  bein 
a\var(>  of  it:  and  (leneral  l>runnnond  bil- 
lowed Biall.  But  their  attack  was  imt  in- 
tended till  daybreak  on  the  IJHiih  of  -luly. 
On  the  2oth,  all  the  British  forces  and  ar- 
tillery not  havin;j;  arrived,  (ieneral  Scott. 
nnire  coura,u;eonsly  than,  perhaps,  jirndent- 
ly.  witliont  tho  desij;n  of  oithm'ciimmandor, 
or  either  army  beiua'  pr(>pare(l,  pr(!cipitateil 
the  stran^^e  and  sevi>r(>  no(!turnal  contest, 
liy  Avhi(di,  of  six  thousand  combatants, 
Htjyenteen  hundre(l  killed.  wonnde(l  or  cap- 


hold  on  tho 
did    till   the 


disloilne  him.  not  less  than  thirtv  i 


Niairara   jieninsula.  whitdi  lie 

enemy  ^ave  uji  attemptiui;  to 

iments 

of  n  ,:;ular  soldiers,  besides  all  others, 
amonntinji'  to  between  thirty  and  forty  thou- 
sand men  of  all  arms,  from  \ia<;'ara  t()(Jue- 
1)00,  composed  tho  Camidian  army:  with 
ronovvn  not  p;r(Mitor  than  discipline,  com- 
pleto  cipiipments.  and  the  cdutidemM'  of 
ti'iod  oomman(lers  in  veteran  soldiers.  'IMic 
sann>  pontoons  w  liicli  carrie(l  them  o\(M'  tho 
rivers  of  Siiain  and    l''rance.  the  same  can- 


turod,  were  sacrificed  to  tho  point  of  honor.  |  non  whii  h   battered  formidable  fortrossca 


V, 


* 

i 


[IS]  4. 


Cii.Mv  TV.] 


BATTLE  OF  r.lMDGEWATKI 


H 


« 


♦  - 


95 


t!ii)f :  till'  vovy  Eni'Ti.-li  horses  wlilcli  wiiip;-  i  otliiT  ilc|ni.-its  on  tlic  otlier  side  of  t!i(>  i'Imt, 
(m|  til!'  Ilviiiir  artllli'i'v  iit  'i'oiiloiiso,  siiiil  i  at  Srlilo>scr.  wliillicr  it  vas  kixiwn  tlii- 
■\vt  r-tiil  .'^'"iiit  :  til''  iilciitical  pliysicul  ami  j  cnciiiv  IkhI  I'I'imi'I'iIcI,  and  wliicli  (oinMal 
)nni-al  ni 'ans  of  CDiniui'st  siiliinuatinir  tlu'  Broun  had  im  mcnis  of  citln'i' di'Ti'iidiiij:-. 
jno.st  iiiai'iia!  nations  <if  Kiiro|M'.  wcro  trans-  traiis|pni'tin;i  or  removing;;.  Hi.'*  |iri'di'ani('iit 
|)i.irti'd  over  tlic  Athintiii  to  disnnniln'r.  pci'lhais  he  felt,  '.va:'  nuTO  so  il'tm  he  wa^^ 
jaiiiish,  and  )ii;i  down  tlic  U'ast  IicHi^^tTi'iit  |  aware  ili-  had  no  idea,  howcvri,  of  an 
ol'  all  jicople  in  .\nu'rica,  to  whom  warl'an' ]  attack,  as  the  IJritish  had  crossed  over  ti, 
vas  iait  a  renii'inhrance,  its  exaetions  and  ;  Sdilosscr  in  i'orc  e,  still  less  of  retreat,  hut 
severities  nov(d,  odious,  anil  intoleralile.  i  eourted  haltle.  A  niart'li  towards  (^lu'cns- 
Froiii  till?  l((tli  to  the2">thof  July,  <ieiioral  town,  which  niieht  induce  the  >^neniy  to 
])i'i.-^vii  had  no  tidinji's  and  no  fears  of  his  ,  return  fi-oui  the  other  siih'  of  the  river, 
enemy,  hut  no  iiojies  fi'on\  his  naval  <;oui- 1  was  his  hazardous,  not  injudicious,  and, 
jiatriiit.  ^lajor  (ieneral  lliall.  with  re- 1  as  events  soon  in'oved.  liitu;iute  deter- 
tVei-hi'd  and  reinforri'd  troojis.  had  followed  I  niination.  Nor  was  it,  ^'.hatever  uiili- 
hiin  to  llie  Falls  ol'  Xiai;;ara,  with  every  j  tary  theorists  or  sciolists  may  sav.  incon- 
jirejiaration  made  to  atta(;k  the  American  i  sisteiit  with  those  im|iroAed  princijiles  of 
army,  early  in  the  morninji  of  the  llCith  ofinrndern  warfare,  which,  t-astin;;  away  the 
July,  in  its  former  luispieioiis  ein'am|imi'nt  {  im|iediments  of  hajjjfajjfo,  tin'  supernume- 
at  <'lii]i|iewa.  Liei!tenant-( ieneral  brum-  ruries  id'  cam]is,  crowds,  and  all  that  can 
111, Hill.  (lovernor  of  I'lCjier  Canada,  sailed  |  possihly  he  disiien^u'd  with  i'or  an  emer;f- 
from  Voi'k  the  eveniiij;-  of  the  l!kli,  and  |  eiiey,  take  the  hiddest  way  to  victory, 
reached  Niagara  river  cLirly  next  niorninu'.  j  I'lsk'n;;'  much,  that  niuch  may  lie  acconi- 
Tlience  sendinii'  i'orwaid  sonni  regiments  jilislied.  It  was  a  course  which  Cromwell, 
drawn  from  I'orts  (ieor^  .iiid  >!lssissa;ia.  ^  I'rederii  k  or  Xaiioleon  would  a|i]iro\e.  ilo- 
inidir  ('(donel  3Iorrison,  to  join  lliall.  !  viewinji' the  cam|iaiji'nsof  Ah'xander.Ca'sar, 
Colonel  Tucker,  with  ahoiiL  a  thousand  sol- 1  llannilial.  Turenne,  (iustavus  and  his  oAvn, 
(liei's.  sailors  ami    Indians,  crossed  to  the  j  Na|ioleon  testilied  that  tludr  jirinciples  were 


Aineiiran  side  atjainst  Scldosser. 

'fo  contend  wiili  all  these  su|ierior  forces, 
havini;-  control  of  all  the  waters,  the  Ame- 
rii'aii  army  at  Cliipjiewa,  nuistereil  in  action 
not  more  than  twentv-live  hiindi'cd  liuhtiiiir 


all  the  same,  viz :  to  keeji  their  force  to- 
^i'ether,  and  he  vulnerahle  at  no  point,  push 
them  rapidly  on  important  fiositioris.  trust 
to  nmial  means,  the  reputation  of  their 
arms,  and   the  fear  they  inspired.     .Never 


men.  Iltich  of  the  two  hrij^ades  containi'd  1  did  any  one  of  these  mighty  commanders 
Slime  ei;xht  or  nijie  hundred.  Thi>  volun- !  think  of  keeping  ojien  comniunication  ))e- 
teers  were  from  five  to  six  hun<lreil.  The  |  hind  him,  of  regarding  infeiior  hostilities 
killed  and  wounded  on  the  ath  •July,  and  I  in  his  rear,  hut  always  aimed  hy  annissed 
in  skirmishes  afterwards,  the  sick  and  di- 1  nu'ans  at  om'  great  ohject.  A  campaign  is 
ininiitions  hy  other  casualties,  and  depart- ,  like  an  argument,  in  which  the  great  posi- 
ii'c  of  all  till'  Indians,  redud'd  hy  nniny  j  tion  heing  cari'ied.  all  the  minor  ones  follow, 
hundreds  thethirty-five  hundred  comhatants  I  And  always  the  moral  are  more  important 
who  ventnreil  to  iinade  Canada  three  weeks  '  than  the  merely  military  means  and  cousc- 
hefore.  i'lxpei'ting  no  action  on  tlie  "Joth.  (|iiences 
especially  towardsevening.when  it  suddenly 


came  on.  three  hundred  or  nmre  detailed 
fur  washing  and  other  camp  services,  were 
not  taken  from  them  into  action.     At  noon 


(Ieneral  Scott  was  therefore  ordcrc^d  to 
nuirch  at  once,  report  to  (ieneral  Urowii, 
and  call  for  help,  if  needed.  When  ho 
marched,  there  was  no  design  or  idea  in 
(ieneral  Mrown  was  iiifie-med  hy  an  express  j  either  army  of  the  contest  that  ensued, 
(if  the  i)ritish  movement  ahout  (^leenstown.  i  'faking  his  men  from  afternoon  drill,  when 
the  arrival  of  the  vessels,  hoats  and  rein-  ordered  to  (^iioenstown.  (ieneral  Scott  led 
fiircemi  Ills  hrought  hy  J  •rnmnmnd.  Soon  i  out  the  lirst  hrigade:  the  IMh  regiment, 
aftei'.  hy  another  ('X|iress,  he  was  apprised!  .Major  heaveinvorth  :  lltli,  -Major  McNeill ; 
of  the  expedition  of  Colonel  Tucker  to  j -lid.  Colonid  Biady;  t2.")th,  Major  dessu)i; 
Schliisser.  Ijieutenant  Kiddle,  sent  out  to 
roconiioiter,  had  not  returneil,  Init  Caiitaiu 
Odell,  commanding  a  jiicket  on  the  north  of 

theencaiuiiment,  lepiii'ted  soon  in  the  morn-!  with  ammunition,  'i'owson's  company  of 
ing  to  Ma/pii'  !.,ea\enwortli.  otiicer  of  the  |  artillery.  Harris' troop,  and  some  volunteer 
day,  who  sent  to  head-iiuartei's.  that  with  a  j  cavalry,  were  with  the  r<'st,  altogether  mit 
glass  a  troop  of  horse  and  two  companiis  |  eight  hundred  men.  A\'ith  this  small  force, 
of  infantry,  in  scarlet  reginu'iitals.  could  l.e^on  their  way  to  (.^ueenstown,  not  to  light, 
seen,  ahout  two  miles  olf.  hidieved  to  lie  the  j  (leiu'ral  Scott  I'ell  in  with  the  enemy,  right 
Uritish  advance,  near  AN'itson's  tavern,  not  i  in  front,  who  retired,  hut  it  was  helieved 
far  from  the  Falls  ol'  Niagara.  There  was  intendi>d  to  gi\eljattle.  Major  Wood,  theon- 
no  apprehension,  however,  of  an  attack  or  gineer.  having  reconnoitered.  and  reported 
of  any  immediate  hostile  intention,  exi'cnt  j  to  that  etl'ect,  Scott  dispatched  Assistant 
iiijaiiist  the  stores,  ammunition,  sick,  and  |  Adjutant  (.ieneral  lloger  Jom's  to   inform 


'1' 

all  feidile  in  numhers  :  Leavenwoi'th's  regi- 
ment only<niu  hundred  and  fifty  ;  .)essii])'s, 
some  two  hundred — not  one  well  supplied 


,y'}' 


06 


BATTLE  OV  BlUnOKWATER. 


[1814. 


i 


1r 


"M 


m 


...r 


'I ' 


IJrown  ;  niwl  wltliniit  lii'sitatinii  Icil  liis  livi- 
fC-iili',  wiili  till'  iitiiiM-f  iiliici'ity,  tiiiiltaik  ttu' 
oiu'iiiy.  Tliniuii  tli'Mi'  tiii'i-i'  was  uiikiinuii 
iiiiil  his  iiic.iii;  iilcralilc,  yi't  uitli  iiiii'ricir 
iHimhci's  lie  liadiii  likt:  iiianiii'i' atiarkiMl  anil 
lioatcii  till'  same  ti'iiojis  a  few  days  liclinc. 
Inspirt'd  with  thi?  iMJiiliilciici!  (if  that  sik;- 
coss,  lie  iiiaih;  iiniiii'diatc  ilis|iiisitiiin  Inr 
iitt.".'ki.i^  iiiiK'li  sii|ii'ri(ir  ininilicrs.  in  a 
fltroiiu'  {iiisitiiin.  Thr  ruli-s  of  war  avcvc 
iiy;aiii^t,  'lit  ii(''tiini'  favored  the  inovi'iiicnt. 
The  IJiitish,  Avithout  couiitiiiii'  (ii'ii"ral 
J)r'i!ninniid's  ridiiforcciiicnt  of  cisiht  hun- 
dred, arrived  that  afternoon  ;  and  ( 'nlniud 
Scott's  tliat  iii,2;lit,  off  ehc  hundrod  inure, 
at  first  far  outnumbered  our  troops.  Wlien 
the  cdiilliet  )iej!;iiii,  tlie  Jiritisli  eoiihl  not 
hav(>  lieen  li^ss  tlian  froni  two  thousand  to 
twenty-live  liiindred  stroiiic.  'J'iieir  seven 
pici  c's  im"  arliihiry  were  jiosted  on  the  sum- 
mit <if  :i  hill.  su|t|i'irted  liv  a  heavy  line  of 
infantry,  Hanked  liy  eavairy.  Scoti's  ad- 
Vi  lie  vas  led  hy  L'a|itaiii  Harris  with  his 
(h  '"■  loiis,  and  ('a]itain  I'eiillandV  coiiiiiany 
of  tile  22d  infantry,  both  oliieers  imieh  dis- 
t.in;:ii;  .lied  throiifiliout  the  action,  toAvards 
i,iiO  ciid  of  which  I'entlaiul  lost  a  lcj<;,  was 
left  ■  n  the  jjroiind,  ami  taken  iirisoner. 
]$•'  ■  iSi'tVilson's  tavern  and  Limdy's  l.aiie, 
rii  :!  ■  i!  e  villaLi'e  (d'  ibidiriMvater.  the  JJriiish 
artillery  ojieiied  u|Hin  Scott,  who  formed 
and  rever.vcd  Ids  column,  falterin;;  under  its 
destructive  severity.  ^Vs  it  must  b(^  some 
tiiiK!  before  J\i)il(!y's  l)rii:;ade  and  Porter's 
could  come  to  Scott's  aid,  he  detaclied  Ma- 
jor Jcssu)!  with  the  2')tli.  to  seek  and  en- 
jiaL!;e  the  iJritish  left,  while  tiie  (ieneral 
attaidvcd  their  ri;j:lit.  The  other  tlire(>  re;^i- 
meiits  Were  moved  beyond  tli'-  advaneed 
companies,  ami  stationecl  wher",  as  widl  as 
during  tlu-  chanu:e  of  position,  tiieir  expo- 
sure and  losses  wore  so  neve'tv.  that  both 
JlcXeill  and  Brady,  with  Pfiany.  if  not  most 
of  the  other  oliieers,  wci-e  di.'sabled  by 
■wounds,  and  tlieir  renimenls  so  minli  de- 
morali/,ec|  as  to  be  confused,  some  retreat- 
ino;,  their  ammunition,  too,  at  last  fallint.!: 
siiort.  Towson's  inimitable  liattery  on  the 
rijrlit,  by  incessant  reverberations  of  the 
most  exi-iting  martial  niiisie,  (>!'•  ouraii'i  ! 
the  column  ;  but  the  British  ;i;uiii-  vere  .no 
hijj;li  that  his  sh<it  pa-sed  over  then;.  whil(> 
their'n  plunji'ed  down  with  deadly  aim.  and 
for  some  time  Towson  ceased  firinu;.  as  use- 
loss.  Theaetioii  bewail  towards  evening!:;  for 
niorc  than  an  hour  Avas  maintaineii  by  the 
first  bri;;ade  aione,  notwitiisl  indinj;'  .;reat 
dlsadvaiuaij;es  to  contend  ajriiiiist,  and  tlie 
loss  of  half  their  force;  .fessup's  detach- 
ment, nieanwliile,  whose  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  in  proportion  to  the  other  i'ey;i- 
meiits.  never  falteriiiii'  in  its  signal  episod(>. 
till  the  enemy  on  tiie  riulii  were  routed. 
By  musketry,  at  a  liundred  yards,  at  first, 
and  tiieii  the  bayonet,  the  l»rili>h  left  was 
put  to  Hi:jlit  by  •Jessup,  who  thereupon 
Bciai^l  a  road,  wliicli  ho  dl.scu\cred,  to  >wvu 


their  flank,  and  with  that  advantajje  routed 
still  more  of  them.  Scott,  with  enthusi- 
astic and  mat(dilesH  iiravery,  jiroseciited 
his  onset,  a  jii-rsonal  example  to  all,  if  of 
extrava;;;ant,  yet  sustained  and  invinciblo 
ardor.  It  was  Jessuji's  ji'ood  fortune, 
the  common  effect  of  j;ood  conduct,  to  cap- 
ture (ieiieral  lliall  retiring;  wounded,  to- 
•rether  with  Captain  liorin;;-,  aid-de-camp 
of  (ieneral  Ihaimniond,  several  other  of- 
licers,  and  altoj;'etlier  on(>  hundred  and 
sixty-nine  prisoners — as  many  as  were  left 
iinhurt  id' his  own  command.  i>rnminond's 
disjiatcli  confessed,  that  on  his  arrival  ho 
found  liiall's  "  advanc(.>  in  full  retreat;  and 
Avlu'ii  his  own  formation  was  completed,  the 
wiiolo  front  was  warmly  and  closely  en- 
j>;a;i('d,  the  principal  American  efforts  di- 
rected a;;'ainst  tlie  Uritish  left  and  centre  ; 
after  re|ieated  attaidvs,  those  on  the  lel't 
forced  back,  and  the  .Americans  jrainin;!; 
temjiorary  possessi(in  of  the  road,"  'I'hiis 
taught  by  th(*  encijiy,  and  the  results,  wo 
are  safe  in  tlenyiiiji  the  imputed  rashness, 
and  as  was  said,  frenzy  ui'  Scott,  on  that 
occasion,  in  ai>plaudinj^  the  ability  of  his 
dis)iositions,  tlioii!i.h  thi>v  be;van  by  a  idiar^o 
of  seeminjjc  raslniess,  and  at  all  events,  ad- 
miriiii;the  excidleiit  I'eititude.  as  widl  as  cou- 
raire,  by  which  he  made  head  av.'ainst  formi- 
dable odds,  and  iiitriduced  a  hard-earned 
victory.  T'lie  droopin^;  took  coiiragi-  fimn  th(> 
foarless,  and  vicil  with  the  example  of  a  con- 
spicuous leader,  i'oremost  in  every  danp,er. 
Numberless  were  the  instance's  of  iudi- 
\  idual  heroism,  while  the  trained  conlideiice 
and  pride  of  <'iirps  pervaded  the  shattered 
liriirade,  liejil  touether,  carried  forv.ard.  anci 
tboiiLiii  biiiken  into  small  frau:ments.  in- 
iluced  to  preserve  the  Inteicrity  and  chaiac- 
ter  of  the  V  hole.  One  of  tlie  bra\est 
oili<(n's  in  tlie  tieM,  .Major  Leavenworth,  of 
whose  one  hundred  aiui  fifty  rank  and  li!i\ 
oiu>  hundred  ;ind  t\venty-eii;'!it  were  killed, 
wounded,  or  missin;;,  and  only  sixty-lour 
could  be  must!  red  next  day  sent  to  Gene- 
ral Scott  that  his  rule  for  retreatin'j;  v,an 
fullilled:  Scoit  ha\  ill';'  laid  it  down  as  an 
a|ihorisni,  said  to  be  attributed  to  Abucau, 
that  a  renimeni  may  retreat  when  evi'ry 
third  man  is  kilU'd  or  wounded.  To  w  liiidi 
intimatioii  eommunicated  by  another  ;;al- 
iant  otlicei ,  >  'aplaiii  Harris,  w  ho  vulunteered 
to  serve  with  inlantry.  ndien  cavalry  could 
be  no  lou'i'er  servicealile,  Scott's  animal  ini; 
reply,  uttered  ill  a  transport  of  intrepidity, 
imparled  hope,  conlideiice,  and  eudiiranco 
to  oliieers  and  soldiers.  When  .ic-^iiii's 
success  and  I'iall's  capture  *vere  mile 
known  to  Scott,  In  loudly  proclaimed  it, 
calling'  for  three  cheers.  Apprised  by  that 
voeil'eiation  where  to  aim  in  tlu'  dark, 
the  British  battery  lired  a  broailside  upon 
Scott's  station,  which,  ])as,--in;.i.;  ove-  the 
heads  of  the  infantry,  struck  a  caisson  of 
Captain  K'tcliie'siiMinH  and  blew  ii[)  several 
ammuuitioii   wai^ous.     West  of   his   men 


CUAf.  IV.] 


BATTLE  OF  T5RID(iEWATi;R. 


97 


Ijoinj;  killnd  or  wmimleil  at  their  j^uiis,  and  j  iiroccdcd  liy  f'a|itaiii  15i<lillc's  artillery, 
lie  tiio  winiiidcd  diirinj;  tlii'  nif^lit,  was  ad- i  I'lii"  llrst  r<';:iiiu'iit,  l;ii'iit<'iiiini-<'(diiiiHl  Ni- 
'  ^  — ■''■—•  "  X(iv(!r,'' .><aid  the  daiiiitlt'ss  i  (didlas,  WHS  not  attatdicd  to  cither  liri;:;idc. 
this  i;uii  hut  in  (lentil  '  (iciicriil    Kipley   I'nrthwith  ordered  Colnnid 


vised  to  r(>tire. 
Kitehie,  "  will  1  lesivo 


ur  vii.tory."  Cajitains  Dliss,  Jlarris,  and 
Bevoral  other  ofHeern,  when  their  own  oorjis 
were  no  lonijieravailahhs  joined  Major  Lea- 
venworth, with  his  skeleton  of  a  re}i;inient. 
Colonel  Brady,  severely  wonndod,  Major 
Jessup,  Hufl'ering  excruuiating  pain  from 
several  wounds,  were  t<{  those  nohlo  re- 
mains V  h(j  would  not  retire,  even  though 
Bonu^  of  them  intiniattHl  an  opinion  that  it 
should  he  ordered,  ueneral  Scott's  aid. 
Captain  Worth,  and  Brigade  Major  Smith, 
were  hoth  compelled,  liy  s(^vore  wounds,  to 
leave  the  fiehl.  Of  Scott's  l.irigade,  one 
liundred  and  sixteen  wore  killed,  and  three 
hundred  and  thirty-three  wounded  or  miss- 
ing, so  that  not  half  the  original  luimher 
remained,  whom  hi'  finally  emliodied  into  a 

hattalion,  and  led  to  repeated  charges,  m.  n  mii,.h-  |i.iii\,  .iim  imn,  ...mi..,-  mn 
]](>for(^  that,  t(dling  them  to  maintain  their  line  within  tw(>nty  pac(>s  of  the  retiring  hut 
gr(aind,  \ui  atmounced  the  tliriecs  welcome  hardly  retreating  foe,  at  least  twice  his 
tidings  that  (ieneral  lirown,  with  lliph'y's  numher,  a  perfect  sheet  of  lire,  at  half 
and  J'orter's  hrigades,  were  at  hand.  A'ol-  pisol  shot  <listaneo,  signalized  the  desjie- 
leysol'musketry  on  the  hill  joyfully  coniirm-    rate  efforts  of  the  victorious  to    retain,    of 


Miller,  who  at  once  undertook  to  storm  the 
|iark.  Major  Mci''arlaud,  with  the  2i>d 
regiment,  was  to  take  it  in  Hank,  and  Colo- 
n(d  Nicholas  to  keep  the  musketry  em- 
ployed. After  a  few  rounds  his  men  re- 
coiled, fell  hack  in  confusion,  and  could  not 
he  rallied  to  fai-e  the  terrihle  lire  from  the 
hill  they  were  to  scale.  Major  Mcl'arland 
was  killed,  and  the  2od  also  faltered  and 
retreated.  But  llipley  soon  restoreil  them 
to  good  order,  and  in  person  led  them  up 
the  ascent,  where  they  dis)daye<l  in  a  i'vvf 
minutes,  as  intended.  Miller,  meanwhile, 
unsu]i})orted  hy  either  the  1st  or  2'U\,  never- 
theless, moved  steadily  upwai'd  with  un- 
llinching  iutrepidity,  drovi;  the  British  I'rom 
their  guns  at  the  point  of  the  hiiyonet,  took 
their  winder  park  ;  and  then,  forming  his 


ed  that  grateful  ridief,  tiien  indispensa 
Kiiilev's    hriiiade    auil    l'urt(!r's    V(dun- 


tlie    piirtially    \an(|niidied    to    regain,    th« 
;reat  armament  and  trophy,  the  ))alladiuni 


cuitous  and  unavoidalily  somewhat  ri^tarded 
advance,  bring  us  to  the  next  still  more  ex- 
cited and  doubtful  stage  of  that  nocturnal 
conliict ;  for  it  was  sunset  when  they  arrived, 
and  after  near  two  hours  of  evening  battle. 


this  strug- 


teers,  by  cordial  and  exp(>ditious,  but  cir- i  and  key  of  the  contest.      I'urin;. 

gle,  (d'  som(>  continuance,  the  21st  regi- 
ment, gallantly  led  by  (Jeneral  Kijdey, 
marched    up   on   the    flank,    by    his    order 


•estn-ving  their  lire  till  within  twenty  jiaces, 
then  poured  it  forth  with  su(  h  effect,  that. 


iiim  luicr  iic.n   iwo  iioiirs  oi  e>eiiiiig  iiaiiie,  men  poiircu    ii  lorin  \\  iin  siicu   eiH;ci,  loar, 

liy  not   more  than  on(>  American  to  three  superadded    to   Miller's,   the  IJritish    were 

Englishmen,   during  tlu!   remaining   three  driven  down  the  hill,  leaving  Riplev,  with 

I...,., r  .i..„l,.,..... I, I ;*■.,. ii ii...  1 , : i...  ;„ i; t.,.i ' :. ._ 


hours  of  darkness,  seldom  if  ever  was  there 
liercer  lighting  in  the  dark. 

As  soon  as  Uipley  heard  S<'ott's  firing,  he 
formed  his  brigade,  (icneral  Brown,  whose 
aid.  Captain  Austin,  had  beev  to  inquire 
wdiat  tiring  it  was,  ordered  Kipley's  and 
I'la'ter's  brigades  to  the  held,  and  his  aid  to 
tell  l{i]dey  where  to  t;ike  his  station.  Brown 
thiMi,  with  the  engineer.  Major  McKce. 
hastened  forward,  llipley  and  Porter  lost 
no  time,  the  men  trotting  forward  to  move 
as  rapidly  as  possilde  over  the  lu-idge,  and 
nearly  three  miles  they  had  to  go.  It  was 
night  when  they  formed  for  action.  The 
formid;il)le  annoyance  of  nine   heavy  can- 


tin;  two  regiments,  in  undisjuiteil  possession 
of  the  artillery  and  the  eminence.  "In  the 
darkness  ol'  the  night,  during  that  extraordi- 
nary conflict,"  said  (General  iJrnmmond's  offi- 
cial re]M'rt  of  it,  "  in  so  determined  a  manner 
were  the  American  attacks  directed  against 
our  guns,  that  our  artillerymen  were  bayo- 
iiettcd  by  them  in  the  \ov\  act  of  loading, 
and  thi>  muzzles  cd'  the  ^Aniei'ican  guns  were 
ailvi)uce(l  within  a  f'W  yards  of  ours." 
With  s\udi  unusual  iiomage  of  riductant 
truth,  history  needs  uo  figurative  emb(d- 
lishnieot,  (;onimoii  in  most  descrijitious  of 
battles,  but  unnecessary  for  reality  more 
romantic  than   fiction,  truth  fairly  told  Ijy 


AW.  ..,,.,,.. ,1V.       Chilli. '^•i,.i,„v        ./I      iiim.         livtb,^        V'lllilwilltLllllV^      lllilll       ilVLtl.'!!,     IILILII       Jeltll>       I'TUt       ,,> 

nons,  Drunuuonil  having  added  two  to  Ui- '  tlios(>  interested  to  conceal  or  deny'it.    Con'i- 

ull's  seven,  iu  battery  on  the  to])  ui'  a  hill,    pared  with  some  other  nations'  sense  of  it, 
.if  .>■>..,»  ,..,..r,„of., , I    f!,.'.    ..I..:....,,    ., K 1.'..    i:.  1 1    \ : 1.....11.  : i.  .  i  i  . 


at  once  suggested  the  obvious  expediency 
if  not  alisolute  necessity,  of  overcoming  so 
fatal  a  himlranire  to  any  chance  of  success. 
It  IV -nains  nnitter  of  (|uestion  whether 
lirowii.  liipley,  or  McUee  was  first  to 
detdaro  that  the  battery  on  that  liill  must 
be  stormed  and  taken,  lieneral  .Vrmstroiig 
iiwards  the  hinu)r  to  tin;  (Migineer  Major 
Mcdlee.  The  regiments  of  the  s(>cond  bri- 
gade were  the  21st,  Colontd  .lanirs  Miller, 
the  2.'',d,  Major  McFarland,  detachments  ol 


i'lnglish  and  Americiin  truth  is  a  reiutirkablo 
cluiracteristic. 

The  British,  driven  down  that  hill,  leav- 
ing tlndr  killed  and  wounded  with  their 
guns  in  charge  of  their  conciuerors,  took 
shelter  iind  counsel  about  two  hundred 
ytirds  from  and  underneiith  it ;  w  here, 
shrou(l(>il  in  prcd'ound  darkness  and  dis- 
comtiture.  th(>y  re-organiz"d  tor  aiiother 
effort.  Soon  jiftin-wards,  some  two  hundred 
of  the  first  regiment  found    their  wtiy  up 


the  17lh,   iunl   I'.tih  :    with  C^iptain  Ritchie    the  hill,  whither  also  Mtijor  Ilindmaii   ro- 
of Major  Iliudiaau'a  battaliou  of  artillery,  I  paired,  with  Captaui  Tow'soa  aud  Kitchio, 


n,,.  .^•^ . 


•I'l  .;; 


I  ■■■ 


OS 


BATTLE  OF  RUTPOEWATEn. 
— ♦ — 


[1814. 


;f 


''4 


^■1 


•.V. 


■  ■I 


witli  tlx'ii  (runs;  and,  f(ir  n  short  tiin<',  i  tho  p:uiis  of  tlio  liattory  poiiitod  at  Scott's 
(ii'iicnil  I'lMwii  was  tniK'li  clatcil  witli  tin'  |M>sitioii,  .Millor,  ]>\  tlu'"  liulit  of  tlicir  lila/.o 
triiiiii|ih,  wli'di   Iu(    Iiojii'il   Would    lie   con-    ami    ri'iiort  of   their    i'X]iIosioiis,    liis  only 


had  -lis,.; 
trahic  dark 
l(.'ss ;  no  i'(d 
music,     Oi' 


I'.v 


hat  tinio  a  pale  nioonlijiiiit 
1,  and  nothin;i  Imt  iiniicnc- 
s  '.'vaihMl.  .Sij^ht  was  usc- 
lio  si'iMi  ;  there  was  no 
•  d  from  where  it  lay 
(in  th(>  jXT  iind,  stvt..  k  from  sonic^  killiMl  or 
wounded  st.  nilard-|pea"er.  had  to  lie  handed 
liy  a  corpor;..,  as  every  oflieer  of  his  re;ii- 
ineiit  down  to  a  .oliinin  serjjeant  was  dis- 
alili'd  or  liono :  on  such  oeeasions,  many 
jnen     liesides    tho    siiif('rers,    disapjiearinir 


means  of  loe.itinji  the  artillery,  moved  in 
silent,  stealthy  des|i(>ration  a;!;ainst  it, 
|ioured  in  a  fatal  volley  annonnein;;  his 
onslaniilit,  and  then  ]irostratini;  the  fenco 
rushed  in  with  the  liaynnet  and  seized  tho 
park  from  whi(di  the  llritish  were  driven. 
What  a  d(,'ed  for  a  idumdivard  !  HIIimI  with 
Kii<;;lish  f^raves,  over  whi(di  Americans 
strode  to  jait  more  Kn;^lishmen  to  death. 

After  aiiout  half  an  hour's  alisenc(>  from 
their  place  of  retreat  under  the  hill,  lieing 


from  various  causes  or  pretexts.     Amid  the  |  reorfjaiii/.ed  and  reinforced,  they  were  luNird 
jjlooni  of  a  still,  sultrv  niiilit,  in  the  wild  '         ' 


he 
KcencU'y  of  a  pictures(pi(<  reijioii,  occasional 
phouts  of  <inset  and  triumph,  more  frequent 
thou;;h  fainter  cries  of  di;tr(<ss  from  the 
■wouudi^d,  and  (^ontiTiual  yrdls  of  the  Kn,i2;- 
lisli  fndiaus,  were  oxfrpowereil  hy  the  pre- 
dominant murmur  of  the  \ast  cataract,  with 
i!t(M'ual  connnotion,  tumlilinj;  the  waters  of 
one  lar^^e  lake  into  another.  Stunne(l  hy 
tho  incessant  roar  of  mighty  waters,  the 
troops  exhausted  with  fatigue,  were  parcdieu 
with  thirst.  Tiu!  toil  and  tu;j;  of  war,  how- 
ever, were  only  lie;::un,  when  they  seemed 
to  he  over.  When  Ripley,  with  his  7<in 
and  I'orterwith  his  ;')Oll  men,  went  to  Scott's 
ridicf  reduc(>d  to  less  than  -lHO,  as  his  liri- 
};ade  was  hroken  into  frajrments,  |)rinu- 
mond  was  stimulated  as  well  as  strenj;;th- 
en(>(l  for  further  efforts  liy  tin;  continual 
arrivals  of  fresh  troops  :  the  IJritisli  Annual 
lle^istcr  confesses  120(),  under  (.'olonel 
Scott,  received  durina;  th(?  action.  Gloved 
liy  ev(>ry  feeling  of  soldierly  and  national 
jtride,  "luty,  anil  propriety,  he  was  resolved 
to  recaptur(>  tli(!  lo^t  f^uns  and  restore  the 
adverse   fortune   ul'  the   ni^ht,   oxcit(>d   hy 


ajiani  niovin;j;  uj)  tin;  ascent.  IJipley  (dos- 
iiifl  his  ranks,  forhado  all  firing;  till  tho 
Hashes  of  the  British  musketry  enaldecl  tho 
.Vmericans  to  aim  unerrinjjiy — for  that  pur- 
pose to  reserve  tiro  till  they  i'elt  the  very 
]iush  of  the  liayonet.  Still,  sujierior  far  in 
numhers,  the  IJritish  maridied  on  a;.cain,  and 
iii'ter  one  discdiarj^e  from  the  .Vmericans  as 
directed,  many  more?  roniuls  were  exchanji'od 
h(>twoen  the  comhatants  for  some  twenty 
minutes  in  close  and  furious  hattle.  Never 
•rood  nnirksmon,  however,  and  with  tliedia- 
advanta;j;e  of  staudinji;  lower,  the  IJritish 
now  lireil  nver  the  .Vmericans,  whose  jilunp;- 
inji  shots  were*  more  eft'(>ctive,  and  th(>  IJri- 
tish  a,u;ain  forceil  to  p;ive  way,  retreated 
(town  the  hill  to  their  hidin;;;-place. 

Fear  is  of  one  ami  the  same  pallid  com- 
plexion. C'ourage  wears  many  faces.  .Miller 
was  as  calm  and  Kiph'V  almost  as  cold,  as 
Scott  was  vcdiement.  AstluHirst  regiment 
under  Colonel  Xi(diolas,  conductiHl  hy  .M.a- 
jor  Wood,  w.is  taking  its  position,  (ieueral 
IJrown  repeated  to  <'oloii(d  .Miller  that  ho 
Avas  to  (diarge  and  take  the  hattery  with  tho 
bayonet,  to  whi(di   good   hunioredly  he  an- 


i\ational  even  contineutal  or  hemispheric  ri- I  swered,  "  It  shall  he  done,  sir.'' 
valry.  Kuropo  against  .Vmerica  sharpening  !  |)uring  the  first  comtiat  on  the  hill,  tlio 
individual  exas])eriition,  made  a  struggle  of  I  first  hrigade  at  sonu;  distance  enjoyed  a 
nioro  than  fir  victory  or  death.  That  peon- 1  short  respite.  Scott  was  eager  as  ev(U'  for 
liar  mixturi^  of  respect  and  aversion  which  j  more  fighting,  and  Hiowu  even  more  so,  if 
jirevails  lietwi>en  I'lnglisli  and  .Vmericins,  ueed  he,  superintending  every  operation, 
despising,  hating.  :vvl  a  Imiringeacdi  other:  j  wlrch  in  the  total  darkness  could  he  done 
the  same  liueag''.  language,  some  of  the  j  only  by  personal  attention,  ratlu'i'  feiding 
tiame  Irish  auvl  other  soldierv  in  Imth  ar- ■  than  seeing  what  must  be  don(>.  AVheii  the 


inies,  and  soiuo  of  the  cor]is  even  dre-;s"d 
.•dike  in  the  same  gray  uniform,  tho  idningos 
and  vi.'issitudes  of  [iri'can  ais  conflict,  im- 
liued  it  altog'^ther  witli  the  hittorness  of 
family  strife,  worse  than  civil  war,  or  con- 
test fur  mastery,  r"g;>rdless  of  sufferings  or 
conseiiuonces.  yh'U  on  both  sides  of  strong 
Tierve,  unfllnchitig,  wire  Corced  to  give  way. 
l»ut  with  most  a  military  conjiinct\iro  raged 
Btooling  aft'ection,  stilling appreliension,  ai!  I 
in  a  tempest  of  passion  inflaming  all  to 
unmitigated  extentilnation.  Ono  of  the 
featur"s  of  tiiat  riimarkable  liattle  v»'as  an, 
old  church  dedicated  by  ndigious  lionse- 
cration  to  iieaco    on    cavtli    and    j;ood-will 


to  liii.n. 


1" 
N'ear 


til"   fe 


tlic  graveyard 


of  tluit   tomplo  of  Christiun  piety,  undor 


firing  on  the  hill  ceased,  (!en;'ral  Scott  or- 
dered all  the  nn-n  of  tho  11th  and  '22d  ro- 
giuK'nts  who  could  lie  found,  to  lie  <'ollectod 
and  firme(l  into  a  battalion :  on  whoso  re- 
vival it  was  that  -lessup's  sue';(>sa  was  an- 
nounced by  Scott.  Without  tigurtMifspcecdi, 
the  ghostsof  theskeh'tonsof  tlii'ce  regiments 
WfM-e  waielering  in  utter  darkm»ss,  iuvis"- 
ble  on  the  niari^in  of  death's  river,  another 
Styx,  ixevived  into  a  small  battalion,  tho 
command  belonged  to  Colonel  ISrady,  with 
whom,  too  niiich  exhausted  by  loss  of  blood 
for  conniiand,  his  Major  Arnnvsmith  re- 
mained. After  tho  enemy '8  re[iuls(>,  when 
attem[iting  to  retake  tho  (cannon,  lirown 
and  Scott  meeting,  directed  liOavenwiU'th  to 
take  coninuuid  of  tho  battalion  consolidate  i 


[1814. 

t  Scott's 
cir  lila/.o 
his  only 
lovcd  ill 
liiist  it, 
ciii^  liin 
ill!  i'ciico 
izi'il  tlio 

ilrivcn. 
1('(1  with 
niM'icans 
doiith. 
i('i>  from 
11,  lii'ing 
ro  licMird 
ley  (dos- 

till  tiio 
ihlcil  the 
tliiit  piir- 
tho  very 
ior  fiir  in 
j;ain,  ami 
ricaiis  as 
Lclianji'od 
I  twenty 
'.  N('V(>r 
1  the  dis- 

0  IJritish 
liUniK- 

1  tiic  IJri- 
rctri-'utcd 


Cirxr.  IV.] 


BATTLE  OF  BRITK'.KWATKR. 


09 


i^ 


'I 


from  tlio  tlirco  rojriinontM  of  infantry,  wliich 
were  fornii'(l  into  colnnin  in  Lnndy's  Lani-. 

Tii(!  I -it,  'J  1st  and  'J.lil  ri'L'inii'nts  wen.' 
now  on  till'  hill,  and  Major  ilindinan,  ('n|i- 
tains  Towsoii  ami  Hitdiii-,  with  tlioir  jriiiis 
on  tlic  siiinmit,  ni':ir  the  I'lmri'h.  Tlic  ',ltli, 
1  Ith  and  'J'id  consolidated,  were  on  Liindv's 
Lane,  or  its  jimxiniitv,  with  ('a]itain  Hid- 
dlo's  coiii)iany  of  artiller\'.  The  -')tli,  with 
Major  .Jessiip,  liiul  returned  and  joined 
Leavenworth's  hattalion.  I'ortcr's  vohin- 
toei's  {lallantly  led  hy  him,  were  with  |{i|i- 
ley,  and  always  amoiiij;  the  foremost  in  thi> 
hottest  tire,  several  of  them  killed,  wounded 
and  taken  prisoners.  After  their  victory 
they  were  aitprojiriately  employ(>d  ineseort- 
inji  the  ISritisli  prisoners  to  their  place  of 
coiilinement  in  New  York. 

When  information  came  that  tho  IJritish 
wer('  iidvancin;!;  to  retake  the  (^uim,  Scott 
led  his  hattalion-hriiiaile  in  an  impetuous 
charj^e,  which  put  the  Mritisli  left  to  fliL!;lit: 
foriiiinii  them  ai^ain  fir  another  char^ri", 
when  his  shoulder  was  fractured  liya  pain- 
ful wound,  after  liaviii;.':  his  horse  shot.  .As 
he  retired  in  ixrcat  ]iaiii,  his  farewell  order 
to  Leavenworth  was  to  diarize  !iy;aiii.  Alioiit 
the  same  time  IJrown  was  wounded,  and 
thoui;;li  he  did  not  dismount  or  retire  till 
victory  appeaved  wim,  yet  o.xhaustion  then 
roinpelled  him  to  leave  the  tiidd  :  his  aid. 
Major  S]ieiict'r,  was  mortally  wounded  and 
captured. 

In  the  Canadian  campiiicrn,  a  yoiinp; 
man,  not  thirty  years  of  aj;e,  Scott  won 
his  luajor-jr'Mierars  hn-vet.  AVhile  this 
sketch  is  in  hand,  after  an  interval  of  thir- 
ty-three years,  as  commander  of  the  Aiiieri- 
oan  army  in  Mexico,  he  has  hy  many  won- 
derful victories  throughout  a  triumphant 
ranipai^n,  realized  the  promises  of  iSld. 
AV'itli  matured  knowleilire  of  his  vocation, 
and  its  ardor  mellowed  hy  time,  the  enthu- 
siastic Hritradier  of  (Jaiiaila  is  a  consuiiiniate 
General  in  Mexico. 

(o'ueral  IJrown.  when  th''  victory  of 
Bridj^ewater,  as  far  as  could  1m>  juil;»;ed 
from  all  cireiimstances,  Avas  complete,  was 
with  diHiciilty  supported  on  his  horse  as  he 
retired  to  Chij^pewa.  and  thence  to  Buffalo, 
where  ills  rolmst  frame  soon  rin'overiii^- 
health,  he  hastened  to  a  more  sij;nal  tri- 
umph over  nrummond  at  Fort  Krie. 

All  that  remained  of  the  first  hri'jade, 
after  that  terrihle  conilict,  did  not  exceed 
two  hundred  and  twenty  men ;  the  ninth, 
eleventh,  and  twenty-second  rejj;inients  con- 
solidated under  Major  Leavenworth,  not 
altorjetlier  one  hundred.  Many  of  the  cart- 
ridjTi's  with  which  the  Americans  fired, 
when  attaidced  on  the  hill,  were  taken  from 
the  cartridjje  hoxps  of  the  Kn<;lish  lyinp; 
dead  around  them.  ^L'n  and  ofticers,  after 
five  hours'  constant  tijihtincj,  were  com- 
pletely exhausted,  and  many  almost  fiint- 
inf;  with  thirst.  'J'hero  was  no  water  nearer 
tlian  the  Chippewa.    Before  tlioy  marched, 


however,  from  the  hill,  the  woumled  u  ero 
carefully  removed,  and  the  return  to  the 
cam|i  lieliind  the  Chippewa  was  slowly  in 
p 'rfect  order,  entirely  undisturlied  liy  the 
enemy.  Seventy -six  ollicers  were  killed  or 
wounded,  and  six  hundred  ami  twenty-nine 
rank  and  file  :  of  whom  the  first  liri;!;ade  lost 
thirty-eijrht  ofHcers,  and  four  hundred  and 
sixty-ei^rht  rank  and  tile.  The  commander 
(d"  the  lirij;a.de  and  every  rei^imental  officer 
were  wounded.  Kvery  officer  of  the  Iirii/ado 
and  ref;iniental  staff' was  killed  or  wounded, 
(ieneral  Scott  and  .Major  •L>ssu[i  had  lacdi 
two  horses  shot  under  tlieni  ;  dessiip  was 
wounded  four  times  se\erely;  Scott  has 
never  entirely  recovered  from  his  wound  in 
the  shoulder ;  Brady,  Leavenworth  and 
AL'Xeill  had  eae!i  a  horse  shot  under  him. 
No  hattle  in  America,  hefore  or  since,  was 
ever  so  severely  contested,  or  attended  with 
such  casualties  in  proportion  to  niimliers. 

Three  more  attempts  were  made  liy  tho 
enemy  to  retake  the  jrnns  on  the  hill,  each 
oiii'  after  an  interval  of  aliont  half  an  hour, 
and  the  conflict  each  time  more  strenuous, 
if  not  desperate,  than  that  jirecedinjr  it. 
For  more  than  half  an  hour  afti>r  the  fourth 
and  last  attempt,  in  one  of  which  (Jeneral 
nrummond  was  wounded  severely,  hut  re- 
fused to  retire,  iiothin;;;  more  was  Iieard. 
It  was  past  niidiii;;ht,  and  still  as  death, 
.save  the  ^riiaiis  and  coiuplaints  of  the 
wounded.  The  Mritish  loss  altof^ether,  hy 
their  siihseipient  official  report,  amounted 
to  ei^ht  hmidred  and  seventy-ei^ht ;  the 
.Vmerican  hy  theirs  to  seven  hundred  ami 
forty-three.  Hvery  jfoneral  in  hotli  armies 
was  wounded,  and  every  oflfic(>r,  except  Hip- 
ley,  Avlio  had  several  shots  in  his  hat.  Hattle 
had  raj!;ed  for  more  than  five  hours,  three 
in  the  dark,  when  all  firinji;  ceaseil  :  over- 
come with  fatij^ue  and  thirst,  it  was  ha/ard- 
ous  to  refresh  on  the  hill,  liecause  the  enemy 
miu'lit  cut  them  off  from  the  camp  at  Chip- 
jiewa.  Majors  Leavenworth  and  ■lessii])  s 
opinion  was  niad(>  known  to  (ieneral  I'ip- 
ley,  left  in  coinniand,  that  the  wounded 
should  he  collected  and  the  whole  army  re- 
moved to  camp.  A\'iif;oiis  were  accordinj^ly 
sent  for  to  carry  ofl'  the  wounded.  Those 
who  had  sunk  exhausted,  those  trone  to  take 
care  of  tlii^  wounded,  the  nnmlicrs  who  in 
all  Iiattles  stray  fVoiu  their  ]>lacos,  those  left 
in  ("imp  when  the  rest  went  out  to  liattle; 
all  these  diminutions  left,  in  the  judfimcnt 
of  reliahle  officers,  not  more  than  a  thousand 
ti^htiiif;  men  emhodied,  when  they  were 
inarched  hack  to  Chipjiewa.  Jlovinji  in  as 
;j;ood  order  from  as  to  Brid2;ewat(>r,  Bijiley 
leil  them  hack  to  their  encampment,  he- 
tween  one  and  two  o'idock  of  the  moining 
of  the  2fith  'fnly  ;  victorimis  accordiuj;;  to 
every  circum.  .ance  and  indication  except 
one,  which  the  enemy,  not  without  reason, 
laid  hidd  of  to  claim  the  victory.  The  Bri- 
tish cannon,  so  nohly  cajitnred  at  first,  and 
kept  afterwards  against  so  many  desperate 


m 


-.■,.' ,',. 


•irfffi.- 


■•  .■'-'. 


100 


BIIOWN'S  KFAIIY. 


[1814. 


'*' 


r.(ti'm|its  t(i  ri';iiiin  tljiin,  avim-i  li'i't  nii  tli< 
liill  :  all  liiit  Dill' '>r  till'  \iiii'i'ir'  llll^^  il/ci'K. 
i'.Nrlinii;ci''i  li.V  iiusliik(>  in  tlii>  il.ukiu'ss  aiid 
I'liiiliisidii  {t\'  till'  iiiu'lit  I'lir  lliut  line  i;iijf|i>li 
j;iin,  WHS  li'l't  toil.  For  want  ol'  liorsi'»,  Imr- 
lu'ss,  (li'a;jj-ro|ii's  ami  otln  r  contriviiuccH  to 
ciirrv  oil  tlii',si>  incstinialli'  iiwjihii's,  tlii-y 
fell  at  last  into  the  Inimls  nl'  tlu>  Mm^IImIi. 
vlio  i-rtiii'noil  to  till'  liill  soon  af'l  r  tin' 
Anieriians  ji'i't  it.  Alajor  iliminnm  ^oin^: 
tliiTi',  l>,v  (iri.'M'al  Hi'owu's  orilor,  to  iivin;:: 
liwav  tlic  finns  al'lor  lii|ili'_v  liiul  jiono  to 
CMi!|i|M'\va,  I'ounil  tin-  hill,  toj;i'tli  r  with  the 
guns,  in  [losscssion  of  the  lJriti.--ii,  who  ilid 
not  tail  to  proclaim  the  j>reeiinis  pri/,e  as 
])roof  that    theirs  w;is    the  victory,  which 

Ix-rversion  was  further  connteiuinccd  liy 
lipley's  ilestrovinjj;  the  liriilj^e  over  the 
Chimiowa,  and  sum  ■  of  his  lia^^aj;e,  eiiiiiii 
o((Ui|iaj;e  and  |irovisiuiis,  jirej)iiratori|-  to  his 
retreat  to  Fort  Frie. 

All  this,  which  lioc;ime  (he  sulijeet  of 
luucli  controM'rsy  anmn;;'  the  American  of- 
iiuers  discreditinjr  or  defendin;:;  llipley,  was 
more  tle.vterously  than  candidly,  lint  so  com- 
monly as  to  be  almost  always  the  case  on 
BUch  occasions,  tliereforr  not  nnpardonably, 
turned  liy  (ieneral  Di'iunmond  into  evidence 
that  he  was  not  cim(|Uered,  lait  ciini|neror. 
"A  howitzer  wiiich  the  eneniy  broULcht  uji 
was  cajitured  by  us,"  said  his  dispatch.  They 
ciijitiurd  nothing;,  but  merely  _/(((/«'/ a  can- 
non accidentiill}'  left,  when,  an  hnur  after 
the  enemy's  rutrert,  their  conquerors  in 
complete  and  undisturl "d  possession  of 
the  ;j;uns  and  the  I'eld,  ~>iov\Iy  and  in  per- 
iect  order  Itfi  it,  und  iliem  io  return  to  the 
jndispcnsalilii  repu.-;o  of  iiioir  camp.  The 
Btrui;-i;le  was  ovt  r,  I'ridu  of  success  was 
Bupplautod  by  bodily  ev.hfinstion,  an.xiety 
for  ri^iose  from  excessive  toil,  and  relief 
from  tormentinjf  thirst.  The  Americans 
therefore,  but  as  victors,  were  marched  to 
their  encampment,  as  15rowu  had  directed, 
thou;j;h  without  the  cannons  captured,  as 
he  ordered.  \'exeii,  mortilied,  stung  by  the 
omission  to  bring  them  away,  when  he 
Innird  of  it,  he  unwittingly  i;ou;itenanced 
General  Drummond's  unfair  assum[)tion  by 
censuring  Cieiieral  l\i]dey,  ordering  him  to 
march  next  morning  at  sunrise  to  re-occujiy 
the  hill  and  bring  away  the  guns ;  which 
was  impossible,  llipley's  division  fit  for 
duty  that  morning  did  not  exceed  sixteen 
hundred  men.  In  the  judgment  uf  many, 
if  not  most  of  the  officers,  it  would  have 
been  madness',  with  such  a  force,  hardly 
reiVeshed  from  yesterday's  hibors,  (for  .sun- 
rise came  in  three  hours  after  their  rejxise 
began  the  night  of  the  battle,)  to  storm  the 
hill  of  Bridge  water  again.  At  noon  of  the 
2()th  July,  llipley  led  the  division  from 
Chippewa  towards  Fort  Erie,  in  good  order, 
and  encamping  that  night  opposite  Black 
Bock,  crossed  himself  to  liuH'alo  to  obtain 
Brown's  permission  to  withdraw  the  divi- 
eion  from  Canada,  and  abauduu  an  euter- 


lii    I  he  iiad 
|ierempi    lily  Ibr- 


prise  tov^'ai  Is  which  from  tin 

iieen  disinclined.     Brow 

bade  that  retirement,  ordered  the     I'uiy  to 

be    stationed    at    I'ort    Frie,  and    s.  nt    for 

,  (Ieneral   (Jaines    from     iSaikett       llarlior, 

I  who  arrived  the  4th  August,  to  take  cuni- 

I  nnmd   there  till   Brown  should   be  himself 

i  well  enough  to  resume  it.    T'i\incibly  tena- 

,  lions   of  his  fiiothold    in  taiicia,  he  wu8 

i  rest  Ived  at  all  hazards  ii<'  m  give  it  uj). 

Where  so  iminy  were  distinguishc'd  as  at 
the  battle  of  Bridgewater.  few  brevets  were 
confeired  :  only  on  .Scott  and  the  two  engi- 
neer iillicers. 

The  following  is  (ieneral  Brown's  unpu}>- 
lished  diary  of  events,  i'ruui  the  close  of  the 
battle  at  Chippewa,  on  the  5th,  to  that  of 
Bridgewaler,  on  tiie  2Jth  .liily,  ISll. 

"As  (ieneral  Ui]iley  had  n<jt  come  up, 
and  (ieneral  i'orter's  command  had  been 
routed,  the  hd't  battalion  of  , Scott's  brigade, 
commanded  by  .)essn|i,  was  outlianked  and 
great  I V  exposed.  It  was  the  crisis  of  the 
battle.  Captain  Austin,  being  struck  by  a 
hali'-spent  ball,  which  deprived  him  of  his 
breath,  and  supported  on  his  horse,  for  the 
moment,  f'  Captain  .Spencer  and  ."^lajor 
.lones;  tin  major-general  rode  uji  in  per- 
son to  ^Major  Jessu]!,  and  assured  him  of 
having  speedy  su]i]iort.  lie  then  turned 
to  the  rear  of  .Iessu].'s  left  tlank,  and  met 
Col.  (lardner,  who  informed  him  that  Kip- 
ley's  command  was  nearly  u)),  and  would 
be  able,  in  a  few  minutes,  to  close  with  the 
enemy.  The  imijor-general  returned  ;  but 
Ixd'ore  any  additional  Ibrce  canu^  into  ac- 
tion, the  eneniy  was  defeated  liy  (Scott's 
command. 

"They  were  promjitly  pursued  by  our 
wliole  army,  and  wouhl  have  been  killed  or 
captureil  to  a  man,  but  for  the  retreat  af- 
forded them  in  their  works  behind  the 
Chippewa. 

"  The  enemy's  loss  was  much  greater  than 
estimat(Hl  by  (ieiieral  IJrown  in  his  ollieial 
report:  and  the  services  of  tin-  gallant  Por- 
ter and  his  command  were  undervalued  at 
the  time  :  great  exeiuition  was  done  by  their 
brave  encounter  with,  and  advance  uixin  the 
enemy,  through  the  wood.  T'hey  certainly 
ei'/ected  as  much  as  could  have  been  ex- 
pecteil  from  undisciplined  men. 

"Jiiljl  ()th.  It  was  lat(!  in  the  evening  of 
the  fith,  before  the  wounded  of  both  armies 
could  be  taken  care  of.  The  dead  riMiiained 
on  the  field  during  the  night.  Much  of  our 
time  was  engrossed  on  the  (ith  and  7th  in 
carrying  the  woumu  d  to  the  hospital  at 
BuHalo,  and  in  burying  the  dead  that  were 
found  in  the  woods  and  on  the  plains, 
(ieneral  Brown  was  iin|iatient  at  this  de- 
lay, lie  was  apprehensive  that  lie  could 
not  arrive  on  the  shore  of  Ontario,  and  meet 
our  Ueeton  the  lOth  :  as,  on  examination  of 
the  enemy's  w  orks,  the  passage  of  the  Chip- 
pewa bridge  was  considered  too  hazardous 
if  practicable,  and  the  country  on  our  left 


i 


,1 


I 


I     .i! 


immmmii'mum 


Chap.  IV.] 


IIUOWX'S  DTAUY. 


101 


had 

tor- 


|i 


wivH  roprosontod  im  an  itnpmotlralilo  foront. 
Ou  flit'  cvi'iiin^r  (if  til''  iitli,  (ii'nf'r;il  I'lrowii 
Mcciiri'il  till'  intiTcst  i.l'  ;m  ini'!iliit:itir,  wliii 
intiirincil  liiiii  of  ii't  ulil  tiiiili'T  roail  that 
led,  ill  ii  circiiitoiis  wiiy.  frmii  tin'  n-iir  of 
Mrn,  Stroct'x  lioiiso,  to  tin;  (•oiijiiiic'tiiiii  of 
Lvoii'h  cri'ck  with  the  Cliipiu'wa. 

"Oil  tlio  inormiif;;  of  the  Ttli,  (ioiipnils 
Brown  and  I'ortc",  witli  tlio  si'iiior  cnjri- 
nooi',  till' ,'/"/'/r',  and  a  ~iMall  jiiiard,  pxplori'il 
this  road.  It  was  di'i  luiiird  that  it  could 
be  rendered  passable  for  artiilei'viii  a  short 
time.  AeL'onliiijrl.v,  a  heav_\  detail  was  ini- 
niediafely  made  (-  this  duty,  and  at  ni;;ht 
it  was  reported  '  piissalile  for  artillery.' 

"Ah  (ieiienil  Seiitt's('oiniiiaiid  hiid  matii- 
festcil,  from  the  iniiinent  of  d  'ssiii'j;  the 
iStntit,  the  frrentest  de;^ree  I  eiiiiilation 
in  the  piMinptitude  with  whu  li  they  exe- 
cuted their  orders,  us  well  as  in  the  {gal- 
lantry with  \vhi(di  they  improved  eaidi 
opportunity  of  distinction:  imd,  on  the 
contrary,  as  (len<'ral  liipley  w  is  tiirdy  in 
the  investment  o|'  Kort  Krie,  and  his  liri^ade 
luul  not  participated  in  the  laurels  of  tlw 
5th;  tli(»  eommaiidinir  (general  was  induced 
to  >;ive  him  this  opportunity  to  cstaldish  the 
rPi>utatioii  of  his  eoiumand  :  and  was  jiar- 
ticnlarly  anxious  to  diffuse  tlirouirliuiit  the 
ranks  tliat  stimulus  to  gallant  a<'liir\emeiit 
which  is  ever  produced  liy  the  spirit  of  emu- 
lation. Accordinjily,  (Jeneral  Uipiey,  with 
his  hri^rade,  reini'orcod  by  Porter's  com- 
mand and  two  companies  of  artillery  under 
Major  llindman,  was  ordered  to  take  the 
road  we  had  opened  ;  fori'e  a  passaire  whicdi 
existed  formerly  near  the  mouth  ot'  [>yon's 
Creek,  and  cross  tho  (.'hijipowa.  AS'e  found 
that  the  enemy  had  erected  no  work  for  the 
defence  of  this  piissa^e,  and  we  believed, 
that  it  mijiht  be  approaidied  undiscovered, 
as  the  road  lay  throu;;h  a  thick  wood,  and 
the  enemy  htid  confined  himself  to  th<!  lower 
side  of  the  (Jhippewa  siiifc  the  battle  of  the 
fifth. 

"The  materials  for  a  bridj];o  were  procured 
by  takiiij!;  u|)  barn-tloors,  and  sidectinj;  the 
lij^lit  boats,  which  wen*  forwarded  in  wajj;- 
oiis,  with  the  troops:  and  it  was  not  sup- 
posed that  (Jeneral  lli|iley  would  be  delayed 
but  a  short  tiine  in  crossing;;  after  which 
ho  was  to  place  himself  upon  the  enemy's 
ri<j;ht  Hank  towards  his  rear — when  wo 
should  be  <foverned  by  circumstances. — 
General  Kiploy  advanced,  but  did  not  jnir- 
Hue  that  prompt  and  decisive  iMinrse  wliich 
the  service  he  was  on  particularly  reipiired. 
Till!  day  was  far  spent,  and  he  continued  to 
doubt  and  hesitate.  'IMie  commandinsr- 
jjeneral  advanced  to  the  front,  and  assumed 
the  imniediati!  ciimmand.  The  materials 
for  the  bridjje  were  then  advanced  to  the 
creek,  and  llimlman's  artillery  .to  com- 
mand the  opjiosite  bank,  'j'lie  enemy  ap- 
peared, but  after  a  short  cannonade,  was 
Uiscoiu'orted  and  retired  It  was  soon  re- 
ported that,  appreheusive  of  our  forcing  a 


I  pawsajie  to  bis  rear,  he  hal  abandoned  IiIh 
Works,  'i'his  prii'ed  to  \,  •  Inie:  and  wo 
li'iind  that  be  had  destroyed  the  ;;iins  of  lii«4 
batteries,  by  breal<iii;;o|V  the  tniiminiis,  iiikI 
had  tliriiwii  them  into  the  Chippewa.  Tho 
constriietion  of  the  brid;je  was  abandoned. 
Kiplcy's  ciiinniiind  imirched  down  a  road 
rniinin;i;  alon^j  the  stream,  and  Scott's  ad- 
vanced on  the  main  road  to  the  bridire, 
which  had  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy. 
With  our  boats,  we  were  enalih  d  to  cross, 
during  the  nijrht,  Scott's  and  l;i[dey's  bri- 
y;ades,  and  a,  part  of  our  artillery. 

",/'(/// ',i/A.  The  army  iiiari'heil  in  pursuit 
of  the  enemy.  \\  itli  the  exieption  ol'tiiMieral 
Porter's  coiiiii. and  ;  which  wiis  left  to  jriianl 

the  liiifrjrii und  rebuild  the  lirid^te  ai-ross 

tile  Chi  As  the  enemy  had  astron;^ 

new  <  <'  ie(>nstown  Mei<^hts,   it  w;n 

expci  would  (K'cupy  this   posi- 

tiiMi.  itly  surprised,  when,  at 

onrM|  hiLiidoiieil  this  work,  and 

lied,   I  ,    II.     entrenidiin^  tools  and  a 

ipiantii_\  of  stores.  Wi?  immediately  ocen- 
pied  his  post;  and  advanced  our  column  of 
infantry  to  tlie  villap'  of  (^ueenstown. 
The  enemy  retired  to  Vorts  (Jeor;j;e  and 
Xiai^ara.  and  left  the  country  ojicn  to  u>  in 
every  direction.  We  could  mandi  to  the 
shore  of  tin*  lake  from  i.iir  present  jiosition, 
in  a  few  hours,  whenever  our  licet  should 
arrive. 

"(ieneral  IJrown  had  been  induced  by  tho 
f!ov<u'nment  to  ridy  implicitly  on  the  co- 
operation of  the  Heet,  in  the  execution  of 
the  jilan  of  campaiirn  ]irescribed — and  had 
ex])erieiiced  the  fj;reatest  anxiety  eoiicern- 
itifi;  his  arrival  at  the  lake  shore,  by  the 
time  ap])ointed  to  meet  Commodoi'i'  (  hann- 
cey — to  wit,  the  lOtli  of  .July.  In  anxious 
expectation  of  the  speedy  arrival  of  the 
rleet,  the  army  encamped — having  every 
advantage  in  their  position,  of  streui;lh,  of 
healtii,  and  convenience,  whiidi  the  c<inutry 
would  alford.  (ieneral  I'orter,  reinforced 
by  a  detaidiment  of  .New  York  volunteers, 
and  havinj;  rebuilt  the  britlife  over  tho 
Cliippewa,  brouf^ht  up  tlu;  lia^t^ajxe,  and 
joined  the  main  army  on  the  lOth. 

"  After  remaining:  for  some  days  in  iiainfiil 
suspense,  we  found  that  the  oriiiiiial  ar- 
rani^ement  intended  for  our  supplies  could 
not  be  realized.  We  could  draw  nothinj^ 
from  the  depots  at  (icnesee  river  and 
Sodiis,  without  the  fl(>et.  We,  thei'ofore, 
were  dependent  for  provisions  iii)on  a  lino 
(d'  supplies  from  the  rear.  Duriinr  this 
halt,  nothing  of  moment  oc(airred,  exeejit 
the  loss  of  (ieneral  John  Swift  of  the  Xew 
York  militia.  This  brave  olHcer  was  killed 
by  a  soldier  of  a  picket  near  Fort  (!eor;j:e. 
which  tho  general,  with  a  few  men.  had 
snr)irised  and  captured.  l>etachments  oc- 
casionally marched  to  the  lake  shore,  fcr 
foraire  or  for  observation,  without  being 
molested. 

"The  iudlans  left  us  alioutthc  20th,  and 


."] 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


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1.25 


l^|2B     |2.5 
**  1^    111112.2 


If  m 

^  lis  IIIIIM 


1.4 


1.6 


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Photographic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


V"^^ 


■Mil     M 

4^y  mp 


102 


BROWN'S 

— ♦- 


DIARY. 


[1814. 


Chap. 


1  .'• 


I:  » 


l^  ;■ 


i^^ 


■wore  crossed  to  Lcwlstown,  On  that  day, 
tho  works  on  Quccnstowu  Heights  were 
blown  up ;  and  tho  army  took  a  position 
near  Fort  George.  As  this  movement  might 
induec  the  enemy  to  ch)so  upon  our  rear,  it 
was  liopod  tiiat  ho  wouhl  oome  out  of  his 
works  and  give  us  an  opportunity  to  engage 
him.  On  tlie22d,  wo  rc-occ»ipied  our  former 
position  on  Queenstown  heights,  which  the 
enemy  had  possessed  with  a  few  men ;  wlio 
were  soon  routed,  and  fled.  General  Por- 
ter, with  liis  usual  zeal,  pursued  them,  and 
captured  a  few  prisoners :  of  tho  number 
were  nine  officers, 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  tho  com- 
manding general  received  by  express  a 
despatch  from  General  Gaines,  command- 
ing at  Sackott's  Harbor,  with  advice  that 
our  fleet  were  in  port,  and  the  commodore 
sick.  In  consequence  of  the  delay  of  tlie 
fleet,  the  major-general  had  ordered  from 
Sackett's  Harbor  all  tho  riflemen  at  that 
post,  with  a  liattering  train  of  artillery.  It 
was  hoped  that  tliis  reinforcement,  by 
coasting  the  south  shore  of  tlie  lake,  could 
reach  in  safitty  some  of  the  harbors  or 
creeks  near  the  head  of  the  lake ;  and 
thence  be  transported  to  the  army.  In  this 
tho  major-general  was  also  disappointed. 
Major  Morgan,  after  being  embarked,  was 
detained  at  Stony  Island,  under  tho  convic- 
tion tliat  he  was  in  danger  of  being  cap- 
tured ))y  the  enemy's  s((uadron.  Tliis  in- 
formati(»n  from  (i(?nt!ral  Gaines  precluded 
all  iiope  of  co-operation  from  the  fleet ;  and 
of  tlio  timely  arrival  of  Major  Morgan.  It 
was  therefore  resolved  to  fall  back  to  the 
Chippewa;  and  be  governed  by  circum- 
stances. It  was  tlie  intention  of  the  com- 
manding general  (in  which  all  his  princi- 
pal officers  coincided),  to  march  upon  Bur- 
lington, having  first  received  a  small  supply 
of  provisions  from  Sclilosser — and  removed 
from  the  army  all  unnoeessary  baggage. 

"  With  this  object  in  view,  the  army  fell 
l»ack  to  the  Oliipjiewa  on  the  24th.  General 
Scott,  ever  ambitious  to  distinguish  himself 
and  his  command,  was  solicitous  to  be  al- 
loweil  to  march  for  Burlington  II(>ights  with 
the  first  brigade;  and  expressed  liis  wish 
to  tills  eHect.  on  the  evening  of  the  2kh. 
On  tho  morning  of  tli-i  2r)th,  he  nuule  the 
rerpiest  in  form;  and  was  so  tenacious  on 
tlie  subject,  that  ho  aj)peared  quite  vexed 
tliat  the  commanding  general  would  not 
dividt!  his  force  : — Scott  honestly  believed, 
that  with  tlie  troops  ho  asked,  ho  would 
cover  himself  with  adilitional  glory,  and  add 
to  tlie  fame  of  t\n\  army. 

"  ( Jeneral  Brown  received,  aliout  noon,  by 
es|)ress  from  (.'oloiiel  .Swift,  wlio  was  posted 
at  licwistown,  advicci  that  the  enemy  appear- 
ed incoiisid(^rabl(>  force  at  <.^ieenstown  and 
oil  its  heights  ;  that  four  of  his  fleet  had  ar- 
ri\ed  during  tlie  preceding  night,  and  were 
then  lying  near  Fort  Niagara;  and  that  a 
nuinbiir  of  boats  were  in  view,  moving  up 


the  straits.  Within  a  few  minutes  after 
this  intelligence,  the  mn.ior-general  waa 
further  informed,  by  Captain  Denman,  (of 
tho  quartermaster's  department,)  that  tho 
enemy  was  landing  at  Lewistown ;  and  that 
our  baggage  and  stores  at  Schlossor,  and  on 
their  way  thither,  were  in  immediate  danger 
of  capture.  It  was  conceived  that  the  most 
effectual  method  of  recalling  him  from  this 
object,  was  to  put  the  army  in  motion  to- 
wards Queenstown.  If  he  were  in  the  field 
on  the  Canada  side  of  the  strait,  our  only 
business  was  to  meet  and  fight  him,  without 
loss  of  time,  as  General  Bi'own  had  almost 
ceased  to  hope  for  co-operation  or  reinforce- 
ments from  any  quarter.  While  the  sup- 
port on  which  the  general  hitherto  relied 
had  failed  to  appear,  the  enemy,  having  the 
command  of  tho  Lake,  could  reinL.  'e  at 
pleasure. 

"General  Scott,  with  tho  first  brigade, 
Towson's  artillery,  and  all  tht  dragoons 
and  mounted  men,  was  accordingly  put  in 
march  on  the  road  towards  Queenstown.  Ho 
was  particularly  instructed  to  report  the 
appearance  of  the  enemy,  and  to  call  for 
assistance,  if  that  were  necessary.  Having 
the  command  of  the  dragoons,  he  would 
have,  it  was  considered,  tiie  means  of  col- 
lecting and  communicating  intelligence. 

"  On  General  Scott's  arrival  near  the  Falls, 
he  learned  that  the   enemy's  forces  were 
directly  in  his  front,  a  narrow  piece  of  wood 
alone  intercepting  his  view  of  thorn.     Wait- 
ing only  to  dispatch  this  information,  but 
not  to  receive  any  communication  in  return, 
the  general  advanced  upon  them.    Hearing 
the  report  of  the  cannon  and  small  arms, 
General  Brown  at  once  concluded  that  a 
liattle  had  commenced  between  the  advance 
of  our  army  and  that  of  the  enemy;  and 
without  waiting  for  information  from  Gen. 
Scott,  (U'dered  the  second  brigade  and  all 
I  tho  artillery  to  niandi  aN  liipidly  as  possible 
to  his  support;  and  directed  Coloncd  Gard- 
ner to  remain  a'ld  see  this  order  executed. 
I  To  then  rode  with  his   aids-de-camp  and 
'  Major  l\IcUee.  with  all  speed,  to  the  scene 
I  of  action.     As  lie   approached   tlie   Falls, 
I  about  a  mile  from  the  Ciiipjiewa,  he  met 
,  Major  .Tones,  who  had  accompanied  General 
,  Scott,  bearing  the  message  from  him,  ad- 
I  vising  General  Brown  that  he  had  met  the 
enemy.     From  tiio  additional  information 
;  of  Mil  or  .Tones,  it  was  concluded  to  order 
I  up  General  Porter's  command  ;  and  Major 
.Tones  was  sent  to  (Jeneral  Porter  witli  th;:; 
1  order.     Advancing  further,  (Jeneral  Brown 
I  met  ^laior  Wood,  of  the  ("orps  of  engineers, 
I  who  had  also  accompanied  General  Scott. 
\  He  reported  that  the  conflict  between  S(!ott 
and  the  enemy  was  doxe  ami  desperate,  antl 
urged  to  hurry  on  reinforcements;  which 
I  were  nowniivrching  with  all  possible  rapidi- 
j  ty.     The  iiiajor-?;eiieral  was  accompanied 
r.y  Major  Wood  to  the  ficM  of  battle.     On 
I  hits  arrival,  ho  found  that  General  Suott  had 


they 


II 


[1814. 


Chap.  IV.] 


BROWN'S 

— »- 


DIARY. 


103 


passed  the  wood,  and  eiiji;an;od  the  enemy 
on  the  Queenstown  road  and  the  ground  to 
the  left  of  it,  with  the  'Jth,  11th,  and  i22d 
regiments  and  Towson's  artillery :  the  25th 
having  been  detaehed  to  the  right  to  be 
governed  by  cireunistanees. 

"  Apprehending  that  these  troops  were 
much  exhausted,  notwithstanding  tlie  good 
countenance  they  showed,  and  seeing  that 
they  luid  suffered  severely  in  the  contest, 
General  Brown  determined  to  interpose  a 
new  line  with  the  advajicing  troops,  and 
thus  disengage  (Jeneral  Scott,  and  hold  his 
brigade  in  reserve.  At  this  time,  Captains 
llitcliie  and  Biddle's  companies  of  artillery 
had  come  into  action,  and  the  head  of  Gen. 
Ripley's  column  was  nearly  up  with  the 
right  of  (Jeneral  Scott's  line.  In  conse- 
quence, it  was  believed,  of  the  arrival  of 
these  fresh  troops,  which  the  enemy  could 
see  and  Ixigan  to  feel,  ho  fell  back  at  this 
moment;  and  General  Scott's  line  gave  a 
general  liuzza,  that  cheered  tlie  whole  army. 
General  l{i[)ley  was  ordered  to  pass  Scott's 
line  and  display  Jiis  column  in  front:  the 
movement  was  connnenced  in  obedience  to 
the  order.  iMajors  iMcUoe  and  Wood  had 
been  rapidly  reconnoitcring  the  enemy  and 
his  ])osition  :  McRee  reported  that  the  ene- 
my had  taken  a  new  position  with  his  line, 
and  occupied  a  height  witli  his  artillery, 
wlii(!h  gave  him  a  great  advantage,  it  being 
the  key  of  the  whole  position:  to  secure  a 
victory  it  was  necessary  to  carry  the  artil- 
lery and  seize  this  licight.  Mcltee  was 
directed  by  the  commanding-general  to 
conduct  the  second  brigade  on  the  Queens- 
town  road  with  a  view  to  this  object,  and  to 
T>re]»are  the  21st  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Millei',  for  the  duty.  Ripley's  brigade  im- 
mediately advanced  on  the  Queenstown  r<jad. 
General  Brown,  with  his  aids-de-camp  and 
Major  Wood,  passing  to  the  left  of  the 
second,  in  front  of  the  lirst  brigade,  ap- 
proaclied  the  enemy's  ]»osition,  and  saw  an 
extended  line  of  infantry  formed  for  the 
support  of  his  artillery.  The  1st  regiment 
of  infantry,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.- 
Colonel  Nicholas,  whicli  liad  arrived  tiuit 
day,  and  was  attached  to  neither  of  the 
brigades,  but  had  marched  to  the  field  of 
battle  in  the  rear  of  the  second,  was  ordered 
promptly  to  break  otf  to  the  left,  and  form 
a  line  facing  the  enemy's  at  the  height — 
with  tlie  view  of  drawing  his  fire  and  at- 
tracting his  attention,  while  Ct)lonel  Miller 
advanced  with  the  bayonet  upon  his  left 
flank  to  carry  his  artillery.  As  the  1st 
regiment,  conducted  by  Major  Wood,  under 
the  connnand  of  Nicholas,  approached  its 
position,  tiio  conunanding-generai  rode  to 
Citlonel  Miller  and  ordered  liim  to  charge 
and  carry  the  enemy's  artillery  with  tlie 
bayonet;  ho  r<>pli(Ml,  in  a  tone  of  groat 
pronijitness  and  good  humor,  "It  shall  be 
done,  sir."  At  this  monient  tlio  1st  regi- 
ment gave  way  under  the  lire  of  the  enemy ; 


but  Miller,  without  regard  to  this  occur- 
rence, advanced  steadily  to  his  object,  and 
carried  the  cannon  and  tlie  heights  in  a 
style  rarely  equalled — never  excelled.  At 
the  point  of  time  when  Colonel  Miller 
charged,  the  23d  regiment  was  on  his  right, 
a  little  in  the  rear:  General  Ripley  led  this 
regiment:  it  had  some  severe  lighting,  and 
in  a  degree  gave  way;  but  was  promptly 
re-formed,  and  brought  up  on  the  right  of 
the  21st,  with  which  were  connected  de- 
tachments of  the  17th  and  10th. 

"(Jeneral  Ripley,  being  now  with  his  bri- 
gade formed  in  line,  the  enemy  driven  from 
his  commanding  ground,  lia<l  the  captured 
cannon,  nine  pieces,  in  his  reav.  The  1st 
regiment,  having  rallied,  was  brought  into 
line  by  Lieutenant-(!()lonel  Nicholas  on  the 
left  of  the  2d  brigade:  and  (Jeneral  Porter 
having  arrived,  at  this  time,  occupied  the 
extreme  left  with  his  command.  .  Our  artil- 
lery formed  between  the  2od  and  21st  regi- 
ments, on  the  right.  Having  given  the 
order  to  Colonel  Miller  to  storm  the  heights, 
as  he  advanced,  (Jeneral  Brown  moved  to 
his  right  flank,  by  the  rear,  with  Major 
Wood  and  Captain  Spencer,  as  far  as  the 
Queenstown  road :  turning  down  that  road, 
he  passed  directly  by  the  rear  of  the  2od 
regiment,  then  advancing  to  the  support  of 
Miller :  the  shouts  of  our  soldiers  on  the 
height,  at  this  monient,  assured  him  of 
Miller's  success;  and  lie  hastened  on,  de- 
signing to  turn  from  the  (Queenstown  road 
up  Luudy's  Lane.  In  the  act  of  doing  so, 
Wood  and  Spencer,  who  were  about  a 
hf>rse's  length  before  him,  were  very  near 
riding  upon  a  body  of  the  enemy — it  being 
nearly  dark :  and  nothing  pr<;vented  them 
from  doing  so,  but  the  exclamation  of  au 
oflicer  before  them — '  They  are  the  Yan- 
kees.' This  halted  our  oiHcers :  and  upon 
looking  down  the  road,  we  saw  a  line  of 
British  infantry  drawn  up  facing  the  west- 
ern fence  of  the  road,  witli  its  right  resting 
on  Lundy's  Lane.  The  British  officer,  who 
gave  this  alarm,  had  at  that  monient  dis- 
covered Major  Jessup's  battalion.  The  ma- 
jor, as  has  already  been  stated,  had,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  action,  been  ordered 
by  (Jeneral  Scott  to  take  ground  to  his 
right.  He  had  succeeded  in  turning  the 
enemy's  left  flank ;  had  captured  General 
Riall,  and  several  other  officers,  and  sent 
them  to  camp ; — then  searching  his  way 
silently  towards  where  the  battle  was  rag- 
ing, he  had  brought  his  regiment,  the  25th, 
after  but  little  comparative  loss,  up  to  the 
eastern  fence  of  the  (Queenstown  road,  a  little 
to  the  north  of  Lundy's  Lane.  The  moment 
Major  Jessup  was  apprised  that  the  British 
officer  had  discovered  him,  he  ordered  his 
command  to  Are  upon  the  enemy's  line: 
the  lines  could  not  have  been  more  than 
four  rods  apart.  The  slaughter  was  exces- 
sive; the  enemy's  line  fled  down  the  (^ueens- 
towu  road  at  the  third  or  fourth  lire.    As 


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104 


I*' 


BROWN'S  DIARY. 
— • — 


[1814. 


tho  firing  coascd,  and  Goneral  Brown  ap- 
prnachfid  Major  Jessiip,  tho  lattor  inquired 
where  ho  should  form  his  rofiimont;  and  iio 
was  directed  to  move  up  Lundy's  Lane  and 
form  upon  the  rij^ht  of  the  seeonil  brigade. 
The  enemy  rallying  his  Ijroken  corps, 


discovered  in  good  order,  and  in  great  force. 


force,  upon  our  main  line  of  troops,  under 
(ienerals  Ripley  and  I'orter.  General  Scott, 
now  on  our  left,  had  given  to  his  column 
a  direction,  which  would  have  enabled  him, 
in  a  few  minutes,  to  have  formed  line  in 
tho  rear  of  the  enemy's  right,  and  thus  have 


and  havingreceived  reinforcements,  was  now    brought  the  enemy  ))etween  two  fires  :  but, 


ill  a  moment,  most  unexpectedly,  a  flank 


The  commanding  general,  doubting  the  tire  from  a  party  of  the  enemy  concealed  on 
correctness  of  the  information,  to  as<!ertain  |  our  left,  falling  upon  tho  centre  of  Scott's 
the  truth,  passed  with  his  suite  in  front  of  j  command  while  in  open  column,  blasted  our 
our  line.     Ho  could  no  longer  doubt  that  a  I  proud  expectations:  his  column  was  severed 


more  extended  line  than  he  had  before  seen 
during  the  engagement  was  near,  and  ap- 
peared advancing  upon  us.  Captain  Spen- 
cer, without  a  word,  put  spurs  to  his  horse, 
and  rode  directly  up  to  tho  advancing  line, 
then  turning  towards  the  eneniy's   right. 


n  two,  one  part  passing  to  the  rear,  tho 
other,  by  the  right  flank  of  platoons,  to- 
wards our  main  line.  About  this  period 
General  Brown  received  his  first  wound,  a 
musket  ball  passing  through  his  right 
thigh.    A  few  minutes  after,  Captain  Spen- 


inquired  in  a  strong,  firm  voice,  '  What  re- 1  cer,  aid-de-camp  to  tho  major-general,  re- 
giment is  that?' and  was  as  promptly  an- 1  ceived  his  mortal  wound.     The  enemy  had 


Hwere<l,  'The  Royal  Scots,  sir.'  Genci 
Brown  and  suite,  without  loss  of  time,  threw 
themselves  behind  our  own  troops,  and 
awaited  tho  attack.  The  enemy  advanced 
slowly  and  firmly  upon  our  line.  Perfect 
silence     was     o))served    throughout    both 


nearly  closed  with  our  main  line.  Moving 
up  to  the  left  of  this  line,  (Jeneral  lirown 
received  a  violent  blow  from  a  ball  of  some 
kind,  on  his  left  side.  It  diil  not  enter,  but 
such  was  its  force,  it  nearly  unhorsed  him  : 
(in  the  general's  own  words)  he  '  began  to 


armies  until  the  enemy's  line  approached  i  doubt  his  ability  to  sit  his  horse.'  Meeting 
to  within  from  four  to  six  rods.  Our  troops  '  with  his  confidential  friend.  Major  AVood, 
liad  levelled  their  pieces,  an<l  the  artilbn-y  j  ho  thought  projier  to  state  to  him  his 
was  prepared  :  the  order  to  fire  was  given,  j  wounds  and  condition.  Wood  exclaimed, 
and  truly  awful  was  its  eff'ect.  Tho  lines  !  with  great  emotion,  '  Never  mind,  my  dear 
closed  in  part  befiire  that  of  tho  enemy  was  1  general ;  you  are  gaining  the  greatest  vic- 
broken:  ho  then  retired  precipitately,  the  tory  which  has  ever  been  gained  for  your 
American  fire  following  him.  The  field  I  country.'  Ilis  heroic  soul  (says  the  gene- 
was  covered  witii  the  slain,  but  not  an  ral)  was  exclusively  occupied  with  the  bat- 
enemy  upon  his  feet  was  to  be  seen.  We  I  tie,  which  was  then,  if  possible,  raging  with 
dressed  our  lines  upon  the  ground  wo  occu- 1  redoubled  fury.     This  was  the  last  despe- 

fded,  (joneral  Brown  was  not  disposed  to  i  rate  effort  made  by  the  enemy  to  regain  his 
eave  it  in  tho  dark,  believing  it  to  bo  the  position  and  artiller}',  A  broader  display 
best  in  tho  vicinity.  His  intention  then  I  of  heroism  was  never  obtained  from  tho 
was  to  maintain  it  until  tho  day  should  I  ranks.  The  hostile  lines  met,  in  several 
dawn,  and  bo  governed  by  circumstances.  '  places,  and  we  captured  many  prisoners, 
"Our  gallant  and  accomplished  foe  did  who  siirrend<ired  at  the  point  of  the;  l)ayo- 
not  leave  us  much  tiino  for  deliberation:  he  i  net.     Porter's  v(dun*        .  who  were  not  ex- 


showed  himself  again  within  twenty  mi- 
nutes, apparently  in  good  order  and  undis- 
mavetl.  (ioneral  Ripley  now  urged  the 
major-general  to  order  up  General  Scott, 
who  had,  during  this  time,  been  held  in  re- 
serve with  his  three  battalions.  The  major- 
general  rode  in  person  to  General  Seott, 
and  directed  him  to  advance:   that  officer 


celled  by  tho  regular  >"  iing  the  (diarge, 

were  seiMi  precipitat>  y  the  incitement  of 
their  gallant  cc  :iir.nnoo:,  upoii  tho  enemy's 
line,  which  t.;\v  broke,  and,  hand  to  hand, 
compelled  mnny  to  surrender. 

"  I'lio  enemy  now  seemed  to  be  effectnally 
routed  ;  bis  fiirces  disappeared.  In  a  con- 
versation  which    occurred   a  few  minutes 


was  prepared,  and  expecting  the  call.  As  j  after,  i)etweon  the  nmjor-general,  JIajors 
(Jeneral  Scott  advanced  towards  tho  right  Wood  and  McRee,  and  two  or  three  other 
of  the  second  l)rigade,  (Jeneral  Brown  pass-  j  officers,  it  was  tho  unanimous  belief  of  all, 
etl  to  the  left  to  speak  with  (ieneral  Porter,  |  that  wo   had  nothing  more  to  apprehend 


and  see  the  countenance  and  condition  of 
his  militia,  who,  at  that  moment,  hail  been 
thrown  into  some  confusion,  under  a  very 
galling  and  deadly  firo  from  tho  enemy. 
They  wore,  however,  kept  to  their  duty 
l)y  tlio  exertions  of  their  chief,  and  most 
nobly  s\istaine<l  tho  conflict.  The  enemy 
was  again  reitulsed  by  tho  whole  line,  and 
driven  out  of  sight. 

"  Rut  a  short  time  had  elapsed,  when  he 
was  ouce  more  suca  advancing,  in  great 


from  the  foe  with  whom  we  had  lieen  eon- 
tending  ;  but  it  appeared  to  be  admitted  by 
tho  whole  that  it  would  bo  proper  to  return 
to  camp.  'J'lio  idea  did  not  occur  to  any 
one  present,  that  it  would  be  necessary  to 
leav(«  Ijchind  a  nnm  or  a  cannon.  It  was 
observed  liy  Major  McRoe,  exprosslv,  that 
there  would  l)e  no  difticulty  in  removing  tho 
cannon  by  hand.  Wagons  had  been,  by 
previous  order  of  the  major-general,  pro- 
vided for  the  wounded,    Goneral  Brown, 


[1814. 

roops,  under 
erioral  Scott, 
his  column 
enabled  him, 
mod  line  in 
nd  thus  have 

0  fires :  but, 
dly,  a  flank 
i3oncealod  on 
re  of  Scott's 
,  Vjlasted  our 
was  severed 

he  rear,  the 

platoons,  to- 

this   period 

•st  wound,  a 

1  his  ripiht 
iptain  Spen- 
goneral,  re- 
I  enemy  had 
le.  Moving 
oral  Jirown 
)all  of  some 
)t  enter,  but 
Iiorsed  him  : 
e  '  bofian  to 
?.'  Meeting 
lajor  Wood, 
to   him    his 

exclaimed, 
nd,  my  dear 
;reate.st  vic- 
ed for  your 
s  the  geno- 
ith  the  bat- 
raging  with 

last  despo- 

»  regain  his 

:ler  display 

from   tho 

in  several 

prisoners, 
f  the  bayo- 
(>i-o  not  ex- 
tho  charge, 
eitoment  of 

le  enemy's 
id  to  hand, 


duAT.  IV.] 


effectually 
in  a  con- 
w  minutes 
al,  3Iajors 
hree  other 
liof  of  all, 
a|>prehend 
been  con- 
Imittod  by 
p  to  return 
ur  to  any 
cessary  to 
1.  It  was 
osslv,  that 
noving  tho 
been,  by 
leral,  pro- 
il  Brown, 


BROWN'S 


DIARY. 


105 


suffering  severely  from  his  wound,  now  left 
tho  field  with  Captain  Austin,  his  surviving 
aid,  observing  to  tho  otiicr  officers,  that 
they  would  remain  and  aid  (foneral  Kipley 
by  all  tho  moans  in  their  power.  As  tho 
general  moved  towards  camp,  many  scat- 
tering men  were  seen  by  him  on  tho  voad ; 
not  a  man  was  running  away,  none  ap- 
peared to  be  alarmed,  but  having  lost  tboir 
officers,  were  seeking  water,  and  were  either 
drinking  or  straggling  for  drink.  'I'liis 
scene  assured  tho  major-general  that  it  was 
proper  for  tho  army  to  return  to  camp,  in 
order  that  the  scattering  men  might  bo 
arranged  to  their  cojnpanies  and  battalions, 
the  army  reorganized  an<l  refreshed  before 
morning.  An  officer  was  accordingly  sent 
to  say  to  Cioneral  Kipley,  tiiat  the  wounded 
men  and  the  captured  cannon  being  brought 
off,  the  army  would  return  to  camp. 

"Heing  supported  on  bis  horse,  the  com- 
manding-general moved  slowly  to  his  tent. 
Witiiin   a  finv  minutes  it  was  re|)orted  to  i 
him  that  (General    Kipley  had  returned  to  ; 
camp,  having  loft  the  cajitured  cannon  oti  ' 
tiie  field.     General   Kipley    being    immedi- 
ately sent  for,  (Jeneral  Hrown  state(l  to  him 
that  there  was  no  doubt  on  his  mitid,  but  i 
that  tho  enemy  had  retired,  and  that  our; 
victory  was  complete.     He  appeared  to  be; 
of  the  same  opinitni,  as  was  every  officer  I 
present.      (ieneral   Brown  then,  in  strong' 
an<l   emphatic    language,  ordered    (J(>neral 
Kipley  to  rOHU-ganizo  his  battalions,  to  se(> 
tiint    tiiey  were    refrosheil    with    whatever 
could    lie  afforded    in  tho    camp,  and    jmt  i 
himself,  with  all  the  men  ]w  could  nnister,  ^ 
of  every    corps,  on    the    fi(d(l  of  l)attle,  as  ■ 
tho  day  tlawned,  there  to    be  governed  by  ' 
circiunstances;   at   all  events,  to  bring  off 
tho  captured  citunon.     It  was  not  beiiev(>(l 
that   tiit^  enemy  would  dare  to  attack  him, 
if  he    showed  a  good    connteinuue.     (ion. 
Kipley  h'f't  (Jeneral   Krown  under  tho  con- 
viction   that   he  M'onld    exectite    the  order 
given  to  him  ;  he  did  not  make  the  slight- 
est  ol>jection    to    it;    n(»uo  was    suggested 
from  any  quarter.  i 

"  As  day  api)roached.  finding  that  no  co- 
lumn had   mov(Ml,  (.Ieneral  llrown   (U'dered 
his  staff  to  gi;  to  every  comnninding  officer 
of  corps,  ami    order  them  to   be   promiitly 
prepared  to  march  in  obeclicuic"  to  the  order 
given  to  (J(Mi(»ral  Kiple\  ;  but  it  was  sunrise 
before  the  army  had  (-rossod  the  Chippewa,  i 
(Ieneral  Kipley  led  on  his  troops  as   far  as 
l{ridg(>water    .Mills.      Halting    his    cidumn  ' 
there,    ho    returneil    to    the    commanding-  i 
general,  and  stated  his  objections  to   ]>ro- ! 
ceeding  furlh(>r.     (b>neral  15rowi\  persisted,  '• 
when  he  infornuMJ  the  g<Mieral.  that  (ieneral 
Porter  was  also  ojijioMecl  to  procetMJing.    At  ] 
these   words,  (Ieneral  Krown  replied,  'Sir,! 
you    will  do    as  you  ))|e!)se;'    and   lind  no 
further  intercourse  with  him  until  tlievmet  \ 
at  Kuffalo.  '  I 

"General  Urown  had cutortuincd  uo doubt , 


of  the  intelligence  or  personal  bravery  of 
General  Kipley,  nor  has  ho  ever  expressed 
himself  to  that  effect.  In  conseiiuenee, 
however,  of  the  events  of  the  night  of  tho 
2r)th,  and  more  especially  on  the  morning 
of  the  2()th,  his  confidence  in  him  as  a  com- 
mander Avas  impaired.  The  general  be- 
lieveil  that  ho  <lreaded  responsibility  more 
than  danger;  in  a  word,  that  he  had  a 
greater  share  of  physical  than  moral  cou- 
rage. General  Scott  and  the  major-gene- 
ral being  both  severely  wounded,  a  courier 
was  despatched,  without  loss  of  time,  to 
(ieneral  Gaines,  ordering  him  on,  to  take 
the  command  of  tho  gallant  remains  of  tho 
armv  of  Niagara." 

TIio  military  or  even  tho  general  reader 
will  hardly  object  to  my  adding  (ieneral 
•Tessup'f,  narrative  to  General  Brown's  of 
those  remarkable  events,  as  follows: 

"  After  tho  battle  Majors  Wood  and. Jessup, 
and  Ca]itain  Ketchum,  examined  it  at  dawn 
on  the  morning  of  the  "tli,  and  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that  the  road  could 
bo  made  practicable  with  but  littli-  labor, 
and  that  a  tbrco  might  be  put  in  motion  on 
it  wliiih  would  be  aide  to  attack  theenemy 
in  flank,  or  turn  his  position.  And  the  road 
was  repaired  in  tho  course  of  the  day,  so  as 
to  admit  of  the  passage  of  artillery  over  it. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Ktli.  General  Kip- 
ley, with  his  brigade,   Porter's  viduntoer.s 
and  Indians,  and  two  companies  of  artille- 
ry, was   ord(>red   to  move  rapidly   on  this 
road,  cross  the   Chippewa,  and  attack  tho 
enemy's  right  flank,  whilst  Scott,  with  his 
brigade  and  the  remainder  of  tho  artillery, 
■  should  hold  him  in  (diock  in  front.     Plank 
'  ami  timber  ha<l  lieen  prepared  to  construct 
a  l)ridge,  should  it  become  necessary,  which, 
with  a  number  of  small  boats  to  be  used  as 
pontoons,  were  loaded  on  wagons,  and  traUvS- 
porti'tl  on  the   road   to  the  Chippewa.     Ge- 
neral Kipley,  finding  the  difficulties  to   be 
overcount  griviter  than  had  been  anticipated, 
did  not  moV(>   so  rapidly  as  was  expected. 
General  Krowii,  iniftationtof  the  delay,  pro- 
i  ecoded  to  the  front  and  took  the  direction 
of    the  operaticnis.      Arrangements   wero 
made  to  construct  a  bridge,  and  an  advan- 
tageous ]iosition  was  taken  by  the  artillery 
to  cover  the  passage  of  the  river,  and  com- 
mand   the  op)iosite   shore,     (ieneral  Kiall, 
alarmed  at  this  movement,  in  ]daceof  send- 
I  ing  his  light  troops  to  <lefend  the  pass,  de- 
stroyed   his   heavy   artillery,   tore  up  tho 
'  bridge  ov(>r  the  Chippewa,  almndimed   his 
\  works,  and  retired  to  Queenstown.    Scott's 
!  and  Kijiley's  brigades  oiossed  the  Chippewa 
•  in  boats  during  the  night,  and  (Jeneral  Por- 
ted" with  his  comnnind  was  left  on  tliewost- 
]  ern  side  in  charge  of  the  Itaggage,  with  or- 
ders to  repair  tb(>  bridge,  i)ass  the  baggago 
over.  and. join  tlH>  army  as  soon  asjiossifde. 
"General  Brown,  with  the  troopsthat  haii 
crossed,  moved  forward  on  the  nnu-ning  of 
the   'Jth,  expecting,  us  tho  enemy   ImU   a 


'.:■%■ 


•:^1.^ 


.'■■i 


am 


lod 


JESSUP'S 


■^   4,1 


]■]■: 


i 

I'  I 
■   1 


i. 


NARRATIVE. 

— ♦ — 


[1814. 


Oha 


strong  work  at  Quocnstown,  that  General 
lliuU  would  wait  fur  him  and  lii^ht  there  ; 
l)ut  as  wo  appi'oat'hed,  the  work  was  a))an- 
doncd  so  preei])itately  that  thi  enemy  K^ft 
his  entreneliing  tools  and  a  large  (juantity 
of  pul)lie  stores  in  our  possession.  We  oe- 
cu}:iod  the  lieights,  and  (Jeaeral  lliall,  aftor 
detacliing  part  of  his  force  to  Fort  lleorge, 
took  a  position  in  the  open  ecjuntry  witli 
the  remainder  of  his  force  ten  or  lifteen 
miles  from  the  fort. 

"  General  Porter,  whose  force  had  been 
augmentevl  by  a  detachment  of  New  York 
volunteers,  having  repaired  the  Chippewa 
bridge,  brought  up  the  baggage  of  the  army 
and  Joined  on  the  10th.  The  infantry  was 
then  pushed  forward  to  the  village  of 
Queenst()wn,and  the  artillery,  with  Porter's 
brigade,  occupied  the  heights.  The  army 
remained  in  this  position  until  the  morning 
of  the  20th :  in  th^,  mean  time  several  de- 
tachments were  made  to  the  Lake  and  into 
the   country;    Init    nothing  of  any    eonse- 


Urown,  contrary  to  his  usual  habit  of  rely- 
ing on  his  own  sound  Judgment,  was,  it  la 
thouglit,  overruled  by  the  zeal  and  impor- 
tunities of  General  .Scott,  who  stood  almost 
alone  in  favor  of  attacking  Fort  George, 
whilst  Porter,  Leavenworth,  McUee,  Wood, 
and  Jessun,  and  before  the  matter  was  de- 
cided, Hiploy,  were  for  attacking  Uiall.  In- 
formation having  been  received  of  the  ar- 
rival of  Lieut.-Gen.  Druinmond  with  large 
reinforcements,  our  army  broke  up  its  en- 
campment at  Queenstown  on  the  morning 
of  the  24th,  and  retired  behind  the  Chip- 
pewa, except  the  9th  regiment,  which  was 
left  in  and  near  the  block-house,  on  the 
north  side  of  that  river. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  25th,  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  Gen.  Drummond  was  at  the  vil- 
lage of  (iueenstown  with  a  large  force  ;  and 
Gen.  lirown  was  informed  that  he  was  de- 
taching the  greater  part  of  his  force  to  the 
American  side  of  the  Niagara,  against  our 
depot   at   Schlosser.     Major  Leavenworth 


quence  occurred  except  that  in  a  skirmish  j  was  officer  of  the  day.  Major  Jessup  crossed 
with  a  British  picket,  a  jiost  of  the  picket ,  the  bridge  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  was 
was  captured  by  Gen.  Swift,  of  the  New  ;  infornu^d  by  L(,'avenwortli  that  a  dtUach- 
York  volunteers,  who  Avas  murdered  by  one  mont  of  the  enemy  was  near  Mrs.  Willson's 
of  his  prisoners.  |  house,  about  two  or  threi-  miles  from  Chip- 

"Ou  the  20th  the  army  moved  to  the  vici- 1  pcwa,  but  in  what  force  he  could  not  ascer- 
nity  of  Fort  George,  and  two  companies  of ,  ttiiii.     A  picket   consisting  of  a  trooj)    of 


the  25th,  under  Captain  White  and  Lieut 
Seymour,  eugag(;d  and  dr^ive  in  the  ene- , 
lily's  advanced  pickets.  Major  Jessup  be-' 
ing  offic(!r  of  the  day,  had  advanced  with  ; 
those  companies  to  reconnoiter  the  ground,  ; 
und  oljserve  the  enemy  previous  to  posting  ; 
the  guards  for  the  night.  On  the  2:M  the  , 
array  returned  to  (^ueenstown,  which  thi>  ' 
enemy  )iad  occujiied  in  our  absence,  and  , 
from  whit  h  he  rtilired  on  our  a)>proacii.  j 
The  writer  could  never  conijirehend  the  ob- , 
ject  of  the  UKnement  to  Fort  George.     We  j 


Iragoons,  and  at  least  'wo  companies  of  in- 
fantry, had  been  distinctly  setm,  and  -Majors 
Leavenworth  and  Jessup  both  e.\))ressed 
the  o])inion  that(jien.  l>rummond  would  not 
trust  such  a  force  in  our  immediau;  neigh- 
borhood beyond  sujiporting  distance  from 
the  army.  Major  l"avenworth  had  report- 
ed at  head-quarters  what  he  had  seen,  but 
*ien.  IJrown  was  so  strongly  impressed  with 
the  ijclief  that  the  enemy's  main  object  was 
iSchlosser,  that  he  could  not  believe  there 
was  any  other  force  than  a  few  light  troops 


had  no  liattering  train,  and  our  force  was  in  our  fmnt,  which  he  sujiposed  the  British 
not  sufficient  to  warrant  the  attempt  to  car- 
ry the  place  by  storm,  jiarlicularly  nhen 
(ienoral  Jliall,  witli  a  force  known  to  be 
nearly  c((ual  to  ours,  was  in  the  Held,  and 
within  striking  distance  of  us. 


ij;iMicral  had  ]iushed  forward  to  cover  his 
real  design,  and  Ixdieving  that  to  menace 
Fort  George  would  be  the  bciter  ]dan  to 
counteract  the  movenicnt  on  Schlosser.  ho 
(Mvlcred  Gen.  Scott  with  his  brig.ide,  'i'ow- 


"  We  should  have  sought  and  beat  him    son's  artillery,  Harris' dragoons,  und  all  the 
first,  and  then  we  might  have  taken  the  fort    mounted  volunteers,  to  move  inunediately 


at  our  leisure.  It  is  an  axiom  in  military 
science,  that  where  the  alternative  is  pre- 
sented of  a  fort  to  be  attacked,  or  an  army 
in  the  field  it)  be  fought,  the  ainiy  should 
be  fought  first,  because,  even  with  a  nume- 


to  <^U(.'(>nstown.  The  brigade'  moved  about  5 
o'dotrk,  P.  M..  and  with  the  ilragoons  and 
volunteers,  jierhaps  excecidcd  twelve  luin- 
died  men — the  25111  was  about  three  hun- 
dred  and  fifty  rank  and   tile.     As  we   ad- 


rical  superiority  the  assailant  might  be  so  vanced  tlu!  enemy's  picket  slowly  retired, 
crippled  in  the  attack  on  the  fort  as  to  fall  sind  it  soon  biu'ame  evident  that  ho  was  in 
an  easy  prey  to  the  army  in  the  fiidd.  Had  ciiusiderable  force.  Inlbrmation  was  re- 
lliall  been  attacked,  his  whole  force  must  i  ceived  at  Mrs.  Willson's  that  Gen.  Uiall 
Lave  b(!en  captured  or  destroyed ;  and  our  conuuMiided,  and  that  a  wood,  not  exceed- 
troops,    flushed   with   victory,    could    have    ing  halt' a  niili' across,  alone  separat<'d  him 


beaten  Drnmnmndon  his  arrival,  and  after- 
wards have  taken  the  forts  on  both  sides  of 
the  Niagara ;  but  the  favorable  monuMit 
was  allowed  to  )iass,  and  we  were  conse- 


from  us.  'I'lie  iltli  regiment,  which  had 
i;cen  deladieii  to  th(^  left,  was  called  in, 
and  (ieneral  Scott,  having  ilesp:itched  an 
ollicer  to  apprise  General  Brown  of  the  no- 


quently,  during  the  remainder  of  the  cam-  i  «l(ion  and  prohnljle  force  ol'llie  enemy,  in- 
puiyu,  tarowa  u])ou  the  del'eusive.   General  i  i'ormcd  the  ollicers  commanding  curp.s  tliat 


[1814. 

uiLit  of  roly- 
rit,  was,  it  is 

and  iinpor- 
utooJ  almost 
''ort  CJoorgo, 
c'lJoe,  Wood, 
Iter  was  do- 
iK  Iviiill.  In- 

d  of  the  ar- 
il with  large 

0  up  its  on- 
ho  moniiiig 
d  till)  Cliip- 

whieh  was 
)uso,  on  the 

it  was  asccr- 
is  at  the  vil- 
;  force ;  and 

he  was  de- 
force to  the 
against  our 
icavenwortli 
supcrosfiod 
H.,  and  was 
t  a  d<!tach- 
s.AVilJson's 

from  Chi|)- 
(1  not  aseer- 
a  troop  of 
allies  of  in- 
and  ->Iajor8 

expnjssed 

1  Would  not 
liate  iieigh- 
<tanee  from 
had  rcport- 
<1  seen,  hut 
rcssed  with 

I  nlijeet  was 
lieve  there 
light  ti'otips 
the  Hriti.sh 
•  i'o\er  his 
to  ni(>naco 
'r  jilan   to 

lllosstT,  ho 

^.ide,  'I'ow- 
and  all  tlic 
iiinediately 
iimI  ahoutS 
goons  and 
kt'lve  hiin- 
Ihree  huii- 
As  we  ad- 
ly  retired, 
lie  was  ill 

II  was    !■(!- 
Cien.  Hiall 

Ot   (!.\l'(M'd- 

ivated  him 
liiih  had 
failed  in, 
itihed  an 
of  the  110- 
ncmy,  in- 
L'urps  ihut 


Chap.  IV.] 


JESSUP'S  NARRATIVE. 
— • — 


107 


n 


H 


ho  would  immediately  attack.  Ho  ordered 
Major  fJessup  to  the  right,  with  instructions 
to  pass  through  the  wood,  and  he  governed 
by  circumstances.  The  enemy  began  the 
battle  by  a  tire  on  our  advance,  commanded 
by  Captain  Pentland.  The  '.Hh,  11th,  and 
22d  regiments  passed  the  wood,  and  formed 
V  "thin  four  or  five  hundred  jiaces  of  the 
eiu'iny's  line.  Captain  Towson  posted  his 
artillery  on  the  right  of  the  Uth,  and  a  most 
obstinate  and  sanguinary  conllict  ensued, 
which  continued  perhaps  an  hour.  On  our 
side  both  officers  and  men  evinced  the  most 
heroic  courage,  but  the  enemy  was  so  su- 
perior in  force  and  position,  and  his  battery 
80  destructive,  that  no  impression  could  be 
made  upon  him.  When  Major  Jessup  moved 
to  the  right,  ho  discovered  a  narrow  road 
through  the  wood,  which  the  enemy  had 
either  not  ol)served  or  had  neglected  to  oc- 
cupy. Determining  at  once  to  avail  him- 
self of  the  advantage  thus  presented,  ho 
left  Lieut.  Seymour  with  one  light  compa- 
ny to  occupy  in  e.xtendeil  order  the  whole 
front  whi(!n  the  regiment  would  have  co- 
vered in  line,  and  advancing  rapidly  on  the 
road,  was  soon  on  the  cneinv's  Hank.  That 


road.  Ho  had  proceeded  but  a  short  dis- 
tance when  ho  was  informed  that  triiopn 
were  advancing,  and  he  soon  met  Captain 
Biddle,  of  the  artillery,  from  whom  ho  re- 
ceived the  pleasing  intelligence  that  (iene- 
ral  l5rown  had  arrived  with  his  whole  force, 
ami  was  about  to  renew  the  action.  Not 
knowing  where  to  tind  (ieneral  IJrown  or 
(leneral  Scott,  or  where  to  apjdy  for  orders, 
iNIajor  Jessuii  decided  to  resume  his  former 
position  in  tiie  rear,  and  he  had  nearly  at- 
tained it,  when  he  mot  a  part  of  the  ene- 
my's force  advancing,  which  he  attacked 
and  routed  with  great  slaughter.  A  few 
moments  previously,  a  heavy  firing  on  ami 
near  the  heights  announced  that  our  troops 
had  attacked  the  enemv  there.  General 
IJrown  then  ajiproached  Major  Jessu]i,  and 
informed  him  that  Colonel  ^Miller  had  car- 
rie<l  the  heights  with  the  bayonet,  and  bad 
taken  the  enemy's  artillery.*  Uy  his  ortler 
the  major  fell  back  and  joined  tJeneral 
Ripley,  on  the  heights,  by  whom  he  was 
posted  Aviih  his  command  on  the  right  of 
the  line  which  was  then  forming. 

"The  enemy  gave  us  but  little  time  to 
rest;  he  advanced  in  lin(%  su]>)>oit,Ml  by 
a  heavy  reserve,  evidentlv  with  the  iutt  ,1- 


jiart  of  the  lino  being  composed  of  militia 
ami  volunteers,  fled  in  disorder  without  1  tioii  of  charging;  his  left  was  almost  in 
firing  a  gun,  and  the  major  placed  himself!  contact  with  thelioth  before  tht!  firing  >  um- 
in  Kiall's  rear.  Here  he  encountered  seve-|  menced.  Our  troops  took  deliberai"  aim, 
ral  detachments  of  the  enemy,  all  of  whicii  \  and  our  fire  was  so  terrible,  that  in  a  few 
he  routed,  and  made  numerous  ]>risoners.  minutes  his  line  recoiled — then  broke,  and 
Whilst  making  dispositions  to  attack  the  oflicers  and  men  lleil  from  the  field.  Our 
enemy's  batt(>rv  in  rear.  Major  .Jessup  was  line  was  adjusted,  and  the  cartridges  taken 
informed  by  a  prisoner  that  General  I>rum- 1  from  the  boxes  of  the  soldiers  who  had  iieeii 
mond  was  a  short  distance  behind,  with  a  |  killed  and  wounded,  and  distributed  auionj; 
luNivy  reserve.  Scnsi))le  that,  under  thecir-  those  who  remained  unhurt.  In  about  half 
cumiitances  of  the  ease,  itw(mld  be  folly  to  an  hour,  the  enemy  approached  again  in 
attempt  to  carry  his  intention  into  effect,  great  fi)rce,  and  in  good  order,  and  after 
nn<l  that  the  safety  of  the  army  depended  I  a  severe  conflict  which  lasted  fifteen  or 
upon  holding  Drummond  in  check,  and  i  twenty  minutes,  he  broke  and  again  fled 
keeping  him  out  of  action  until  (iiMieral  from  the  field.  Major  Jessup,  who,  about 
llrown  should  arrive  with  liiplev's  and  the  time  (Jeneral  Kiall  was  taken,  had  re- 
I'orter's  brigades,  he  seized  the  Niagara  j  ceived  a  wound  by  a  bail  passing  through 
road,  took  a  position  to  attack  advantage- 1  the  right  sh(ailder,  received  in  this  contest 
ously  any  fonto  that  might  advance,  and  i  a  slight  wound  in  the  neck,  and  a  shot 
detached  Captain  Ketchum  with  his  c,)mpa- '  through  the  right  hand.  In  a  short  time 
ny  to  make  prisimors  of  all  who  should  at- 1  the  enemy  was  again  seen  to  be  atlvancing, 
tempt  to  pass  cither  to  the  front  or  rear. ;  apparently  with  undiminished  force.  To 
(ieneral  iliall  and  tenor  fifteen  other  of- i  preserve  the  front  of  the 'Jotli,  Major  Jessup 
ficers,  and  among  them  the  aid  of  (Jeneral  [  was  iliginl  to  form  his  men  in  a  single 
Drummond,  were  eajitured,  with  from  two  {  ran  md  to  put  all  the  files  closer  into  timt 
to  three  hundred  men.  The  (Jeneral,  with  '  rank.  The  contest  was  now  more  obstinate 
seven  or  eight  of  the  officers,  was  sent  to  i  than  in  any  of  the  previous  attacks  of  the 
the  rear  of  our  line,  but  several  of  the  ,  enemy  ;  for  half  an  Inmr  the  blaze  ii"om  the 
ofiicers.  and  nearly  all  the  iirivato  sol- j  muskets  of  tho  two  linos  mingled;  but  our 
diers,  escaped.  We  had,  however,  deprived  j  firo  was  so  wtdl  directed,  and  so  destructive, 
them  of  their  arms.  It  had  now  be-  ]  that  the  enemy  was  again  compelled  to 
C(mie  (juite  dark,  and  the  tiring  had  partly  |  retire.  During  this  contest,  General  Scott 
ceased,  when,  about  twenty  minutes  after!  joined  the  '25th,  and  whilst  conversing  with 
]{iall  hn<l  been  sent  ofi"  the  field.  General  |  Major  Jessup,  received  a  wound  in  the  left 
Scott's  command  gave  three  clu'ers,  whiidi 
drew  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy.  Major 
Jessii]!  moveil  with  his  cmiimand  slowly  and 
silently  towards  the  rear,  ktreping  a  fence 


shoulder,  which  compelled  him  to  leave  tho 
field.  General  IJrown  soon  after  approached 
and  in(|uired  for  (jeneral  Scott,  wishing  to 
dev(d\»(  on  him  the  command,  as  ho  was 
between  liia  line  of  march  and  tho  Niagara   severely  wouudod;  but  being  informed  tUut 


id- 


.K,:i'}  ... 


.« 


f1 


■'■:'!!  1 


108 


!  !• 

1 

lii 

f' 

I'r 

)< 

1 

'■  i  ■ 

1 

;?v. 


11 


li  ■ 


JESSUP'S  NARRATIVE. 


[1814i 


Cfonoral  Sontt  was  also  woundod,  ho  rptirorl,  |  what  romainoil  of  tho  0th  nnd  Cfjth  rpn;t- 
Major  .Fossup  soon  after  ri'ccivod  a  violent  |  mcnts,  would  liavo  lircn  siiiHt'ii'iit  to  ilofciid 


Contusion  on  tho  tivcast  by  a  jiicco  of  a 
shnli,  or  poriiaps  tho  stock  of  a  ro('l<ot. 
which  brouiiht  hiin  to  ^ho  <i;ronnd  ;  in  a  fow 
moinonts,  howovor,  ho  roso  and  rosuniod 
his  comnmnd,  which  liad  toniporarily  do- 
volvod  on  Captain  Munhnk.  In  this  at- 
tack Captain  Kinnoy  and  Knsijjn  Huntor, 
of  tho  2"Mh,  woro  killed,  and  Lioutonants 
Sholor,  M'Chain  and  i)owitt  woro  sovoroly 
woun<lod.  So  sanjjiiinary  had  tho  last  con- 
flict boon,  that,  when  it  terminated,  Ma- 
jor Jessnp  found  a  considerable  interval 
hetweon  liis  corps  and  tho  troops  on  tho 
left  of  him.  Ho  formed  tho  25th  behind  a 
fence,  where  Major  Leavenworth,  with  tho 
fra>iments  of  tho  itth,  11th,  and  22d,  not 
oxcoodinj^  in  all  a  hundred  men,  soon  joined 
him  and  took  post  on  the  ri{j;ht.  IJy  jjroat 
oxevtiiins  on  tho  part  of  Captains  Murdock 
nnd  Wats(m,  tho  2M\  ha<l  Itoen  furnished 
with  a  jjood  sup)>ly  of  cartridges  before 
Maior  Leavenworth  joined. 

On  the  mornin<;  of  tho  2()th,  the  wounded 
were  placed  in  boats,  an<l  in  tho  oveninjr  of 
that  ilay  arrived  at  BufiV.lo.  Whilst  this 
movement  was  boinn;  made  by  water,  the 
army  abandoned  its  stron<?  position  behind 
the  "Chi]i)>ewa;  and  after  destroyinji  the 
greater  part  of  its  stores,  fell  back  to  tho 


this  dciilo.  Tlio  .\ni''i-ica.n  frencral  could 
have  held  (icnerni  Drunimond  in  check 
durinj;  tho  remainder  of  tin*  canipaif;n. 
At  all  events,  had  his  object  boon  to  hold 
Fort  Erie,  he  should  hav((  maintaiiu'd  \\\h 
position  at  the  Chip))owa  until  tho  Fort  had 
boon  strenirthonod,  and  an  entrenched  camp 
formed  near  it;  had  his  object  boon  to  de- 
stroy Fort  Frio  and  abandon  Canada,  (as 
it  no  doubt  was,)  ho  sho\ild  umiuestionably 
have  maintained  his  position  until  tho  sick, 
the  wounded,  tho  ba>r>iaij;o  and  public  stores 
had  boon  sent  to  IJutfalo,  and  transports 
]n*eparod  to  cross  tho  army  at  onco  to  tliat 
|>laco.  IJy  leaving  tho  Chippewa  ho  jiut 
tho  army,  its  artillery,  all  its  supplies,  nnd 
tho  whole  Niagara  frmitir'r  into  tho  ]iowor 
of  tho  enemy.  Fortunately  for  his  reputa- 
tion, and  that  of  tho  country.  l)rummond 
faileil  to  avail  himself  of  anv  of  the  advan- 
tages thus  otfered  to  him.  Kipley  was  per- 
sonally bravo;  displayed  gr(>at  gallantry  on 
tho  night  of  tho  2;")th  ; — but  he  was  a  junior 
officer; — his  (light  from  Chijipewa  had 
shaken  the  conHdenco  of  all  the  principal 
officers  of  the  army  in  his  cajtacity  to  com- 
mand in  chief;  that  of  <ieneral  Hrown 
had  been  previously  shaken — who,  thero- 
foro,  sent  orders  to  (jleneral  (iainos  at  Sack- 


ferry  opiiosi  to  Black  Rock,  a  short  distance  t  ott's  liarl)or  to  repair  to  Fort  Eric  and  tako 
riohtw  Fort  Erie;  and  (Joneral  Uinloy,  who   command  of  tho  army." 

''■''■      "  ■■  '  Among  th(;  mortally  wounded  was  (lono- 

ral  Brown's  aid,  Ca])tain  Ambrose  Spencer, 
liearing  tho  name,  and  son  of  an  eminent 
magistrate.  Chief  Justice   of  tho  Stato  of 


commanded,  but  for  tho  opposition  jnado 
liy  Wood,  McKoo,  Towson,  Porter,  and 
other  officers,  would  have  retreated  to  tho 
American   shore.     'J'ho   armj'   was  finally 


encamped  at  Fort  Erie  by  tho  jiositivo  order  j  Now  York  at  tlui  era  of  her  greatest  juris- 
of  General  Brown  ;  and  measures  woro  !  prudential  coleltritv.  Young  Spencer  was 
taken  immediately  to  cover  the  troops. —  [  taken  prisoner,  (loneral  Urummond,  with 
Had  (loneral  l>rninmond  availed  himself  of  j  assurances  of  his  convalosconco,  proposed 
this  hasty  an<l  ill-judged  retreat,  not  a  man  j  to  exchange  Captain  Sponcer  for  Captain 
of  our  army  (Mvulil  have  (>8caped.  Whether  '  Loring,  the  aid  of  l>rummond,  taken  prisoner 
it  was  tho  purpose  of  (jeueral  Ripley  to  do-  |  by  Major  .Tes.siip.  (ieuei*al  Rrown,  though 
foml  Fort  Erie,  or  to  cross  the  Niagara,  ho  !  ho  questione»l  the  fairness  of  an  oxi-liango  of 
should  hare  held  the  Chippewa,  which  was  i  an  uninjured  officer  for  (mo  severely,  and 
a  strong  fortri'ss  in  itxelf.  There  wore  only  I  who  niight  bo  mortally  wounded,  sent  a 
two  places  whore  it  conld  have  been  passed  ;  flag  to  inriniro  into  Cajitain  Spencer's  con- 
at  tho  bridge  whi<di  ho  commandeil,  and  j  dition,  whether  ho  wa;^  oven  alive.  Tho 
which  throe  hundred  men  were  sufficient  to  \  ujossenger  with  tho  flag  was  detained, 
defend  against  the  whole  force  of  tho  one-  j  without  being  permitted  to  seo  Spencer. 
my,  anil  at  tho  jtinction  of  Lyons  i'reek  =  .Anxious  for  his  release,  (ionoral  Rrown 
with  tho  Chippewa,  where  there  was  a  |  informed  Drummond  that  Captain  Lorinji; 
floating  bridge.     To   cross    at   tho  former    slnaild  bo  given  oven  for  S|)oncor's   body. 


place  so  long  as  the  American  general 
choso  to  hold  it,  was  im]iossiblo  ;  and  to 
have  crossed  at  tho  latter,  would  have  in- 
volved tlie  destruction  of  tho  British  army, 
even  supposing  our  army  to  have  perform- 
ed one  half  of  what  it  was  capaljh'  of;  for 

Dnimmond,  aft^r  having  crossed  at  Lyons  |  Niagara  made  his  fortune 
Orook,  wtnild  have  liad  several  miles  to 
march  on  a  narrow  and  difficult  road, 
through  a  dense  forest,  liable,  at  every 
liundrod  yards,  if  opposed  by  an  active  and 
determined  onemv,  to  have  fallen  into  an 


His  corpse  was  accordingly  sent  to  tho 
AmiTicaii  shore,  and  (Ionoral  Brown  re- 
((uosted  tho  Secretary  of  War,  as  matter  of 
faith,  however  revolting  to  honor  ami  hu- 
manity, to  ndeaso  Captain  Loring. 

(loneral  Scott's  gallantry  at  tlie  Falls  of 

for  he  novor 
was  in  battle  again  till  thii'ty-three  years 
afterwards  in  Mexico,  So  true  is  it  tliat  a 
single  occasion,  well  seized,  often  esta- 
blishes, as  failure  to  n\ako  tho  most  of 
ono    opjiortunity,  mars,  character  for   life. 


$uabustaAo.    llulf  of  Porter 's  brigade,  with  j  liis  brevet  was  unanimously  and  warmly 


I 

L 


'.;■'■  ■ 


[18Ui 

<1  2r)tli  rofrU 
•lit  to  iIi'CcikI 
<>iH'nil  could 
III  in  cIkh'Ic 
1  caiiipaijin. 
icon  to  lidld 
intiiincd  his 
tlio  Fort  luul 
Miclied  camp 
;  been  to  dn- 
danada,  (aa 
luostionalily 
itil  tlio  sick, 
>nblic  storoH 
1  tmnsports 
once  to  that 
cwa  ho  put 
iipplios,  and 

0  the  power 
•  his  rcputa- 

J>nnnuiond 
r  the  advan- 
li'v  was  por- 
f!;allantn'on 
vas  a  junior 
pjx'wa  had 
ic  principal 
city  to  com- 
■ral  li)'own 
who,  tlicro- 
ics  at  Sack- 
I'ie  and  tako 

1  was  Ocno- 
iso  Spencer, 
nn  eminent 
he  State  of 
atest  juris- 
pencer  was 
mond,  with 
>.  proposi'd 
"or  (Jiiptaiu 
:en  prisoner 
wii,  thou<rh 
'xcjianice  of 
verely,  and 
led,  sent  tv 
'ncer's  con- 
ilive.     Tho 

(Kitainod, 
0  Spencer, 
ral  IJrown 
iiin  Lorinji; 
;or's  body, 
ent  to  tho 
IJrowii  re- 
8  matter  of 
or  and  hu- 

he  Falls  of 
'  he  never 
hree  years 
is  it  that  a 
if'teii  esta- 
le  most  of 
iv  for  life. 
1(1  Murmly 


Chap.  IV.] 


IIKFLECTIONS 

— »■ 


ON  WAR. 


109 


■^ 


■1 


apiirovoil.  As  ho  returned  from  (Janada, 
woiindcil.  lint  conviilesccnt  and  huoyant 
with  youthful  spirits,  res|iect  and  attention 
welcomed  him  everywhere.  The  students 
of  I'rinueton  tVille>i;e,  wiien  he  arrived  at 
that  seat  of  youth,  risin;j  to  inlluence, 
ealuted  his  jiresi-nce  with  the  cordial  ho- 
miiRe  of  tile  least  sellish  and  most  entiiusi- 
astic  of  mankind.  Arrivinjj;  there  during; 
the  iiniuial  commencement,  the  youn<<  f^en- 
tlenian  who  delivered  the  valedictory  ora- 
tion, introduced  the  j;eneral  in  his  speech 
with  I'lectrical  oQ'ect  on  the  auditory.  The 
town  of  l't>tersburg,  in  his  native  county, 
]>res(uitiHl  him  a  sword,  and  what  was  much 
more,  both  to  his  honor  and  his  hap|i!n(;ss, 
one  of  the  richest  and  more  rc^spectable 
fuiiiilii^s  of  Viifjinia  re<x'ived  hiiii  into  its 
l)o.-iom  by  nuirriajjc  with  a  lady  of  uncom- 
mon attractions,  to  whose  hand  it  would 
have  liei  II  vain  for  him  to  aspire  without 
c;insidcrable,  above  all,  military  distinction. 
If  liiittU',  bloodshed  and  hostilities  are 
not  mere  animal  contention  of  brute  force, 
lint  war  justiiialilc  as  a  necessary  and  in- 
evitable evil,  there  are  moral  conseijuences 
wiiicli  philosophy  extracts  from  its  dis- 
tresses to  be  v,ei<;hed  as  national  results. 
Kiiic  but  liends  or  I'ools  could  contemplate 
witii.iut  horror,  the  si,\teeii  hundred  human 
beiii^fs  killed  or  mutilated  at  I5ridjj;ewater, 
unless  some  ^^''^''^l  benefit  like  reli}i;ion 
llourishiii'";  from  martyrdom,  spranj;  from 
the  blood-soaked  earth,  in  such  otherwise 
laiuentalile  destruction  of  life.  To  wajiie 
the  war  deciaied  by  the  United  States 
ajiiiiiist  (Ireat  Britain,  invasion  of  Canada 
was  almost  the  only  altenuitive.  Kxultiiifi 
in  the  misevablo  abortion  of  that  attempt 
in  Is  11),  and  surprised  by  the  mere  fact  of 
the  insi^fuilicant  incursion  in  1814,  but 
mortilied  by  undeniable  defeat  of  superior 
numbers  at  Chippewa,  tho  bellif;ereiit  rc- 
pri'sentativ*!s  of  Kn^tand,  in  that  colony, 
bent  on  retribution,  resolved  to  wash  out  an 
unlooked-for  stswn  which  ttiriiished  their 
great  nation's  character,  and  ondivn<;(>rod 
their  dominion.  The  impression,  even  illu- 
sion, uf  superiority  is  more  powerful  than 
armies.  Vastly  sujun-ior  in  numbers  in  Ca- 
iKulu,  considerably  so  at  both  battles  at  the 
Tails  of  Niaj^ara,  deeply  versed  in  the  art, 
and  familiar  with  the  habitude  of  warfare, 
a  people  .justly  renowned  for  stubborn  va- 
lor, always  hard,  as  many  believed  impos- 
sible, to  beat,  were  fairly  worsted  in  the 
two  Canadian  cnj;agenients.  Victory,  a 
decisive,  is  not  the  only  test  of  national 
coutideiice  and  estimate.  Numbers  are  not 
always  masters ;  even  thc^  vaiuiuished  may 
be  formidable.  Four  millions,  for  seven 
years,  contendinji;  a;^ainst  ei^jhty  millions, 
founded  the  Prussian  monarchy,  as  three 
overcame  twenty,  after  seven  years  of  revo- 
lutionary resistance  to  Great  Britain  in 
America.  The  British  Annual  llej^istcr's 
Bumauiry   of   the   battle   of   liridgcwater, 


adoptinn;  (Jeneral  Prummond's  assumption 
of  his  victory,  i|uiiliti(!d,  if  not  iinniilled,  the 
consequence  by  tiddin<!;,  "  that  though  iiii- 
othor  American  attem]it  to  penetriite  into 
Canada  was  defeated  by  British  valor  and 
discipline  iinally  triumphant,  yet  the  im- 
provement of  the  American  troops  in  those 
ijualities,  was  emini'iitly  cons)iiciious." — 
Thus,  the  lirilish  soldier's  assuranc*!  of  suc- 
cess was  impaired  by  confession,  that  the 
army  was  teiichiii};  its  foes  how  to  conquer 
thi'in.  American  war,  on  however  small 
a  scale,  which  had,  if  not  arrested,  at  least 
alarininfily  contested,  tho  British  trident, 
was  endiin;i(!riiif;  the  lance,  too.  No  na- 
tional urro;i;ance  could  be  so  stolid,  as,  with- 
out absurdity,  to  treat  such  enemies  with 
contc^mpt.  And  what  was  to  bo  {jjained  by 
further  warfare,  but  teachin}^  them  how  to 
exc(d  their  masters?  ('ontinual  skirmishes, 
sie;ies,  sorties,  and  other  demonstrations, 
following'  the  two  pitched  battles  in  Cana- 
da, proved  only  corollaries  to  the  problem 
solved  by  them,  that  the  American  army, 
like  the  navy,  was  superior  to  that  of  Enji;- 
laiid.  As  soon  as  the  double  elements  of 
military  ascendant  wen-  well  combined, 
and  strict  discipline  added  to  stern  enthu- 
siasm, the  mercenary  Briton  was  subdued. 
Nations,  like  individuals,  have  their  trials. 
The  cHect  of  a  sinu;le  jieradventure,  small, 
but  any  unquestionable  proof  of  couraj^o, 
fortitude,  and  cajtacity  for  forcible  vindica- 
tion, mostly  duralile,  eiicourati;es  repetition, 
and  impresses  belief  that  it  is  characteristic. 
Coarse,  vulgar  Enjulish  prejudice,  uttered 
by  envious  and  odious  journalism,  continued 
abuse  of  the  United  States  as  a  licentious 
and  knavish  nation.  But  En};llsh  better 
sense  perceived,  and  dispassionate  judg- 
ment pronounced  tlioiu  also  martial  and 
formidable.  Not  a  little  of  that  imjiression 
came  from  the  seemingly  ins:  -.liicant  inva- 
sion of  Canada,  which,  duri  ;;  fho  months 
of  July,  August,  and  Se|itenilK  ■  1814,  not 
only  defied,  but  invariably  defeated,  tho 
great  power  of  (ireat  Britain  by  land  and 
water,  eiuling,  perhajis  fortunately,  not  by 
tho  conquest  of  a  British  province,  but  uis- 
comfiture  of  British  armies  and  fleets,  where- 
evor  Americans  encounteiHid  tluun. 

Further  results,  political,  moral,  and 
belligerent  of  war,  were  attested  by  tho 
Canadian  campaigns  of  l8i;5,  when  all  was 
disastrous  wu.;  superior  American  num- 
bers compared  with  1814,  when  all  was 
successful  with  inferior.  \l'  the  events  of 
1814  elevated  internationally  tho  Ameri- 
can character,  and  insured  the  country 
from  further  foreign  aggression,  what  was 
the  etfect  of  hostilities  on  rejiublican  insti- 
tutions, on  tho  American  Union,  on  indivi- 
dual morals  and  general  welfare?  War  is 
a  science  learned  only  by  itself,  and  per- 
fected, like  all  other  sciences,  by  appro- 
priate professors.  Without  martial  facul- 
ties, uo  uatiou  can  protect  itself  from  ia- 


!■• 


110 


* 


[\  r 


h- 


U 


%. 


V  ■     %- 


REFLECTIONS  ON-  WATl. 

— • — 


[1814. 


justicp.  Morn  nnrnjrtilatofl  martial  spirit  |  was  not  confinml  to  any  class ;  and  the 
18  not  pnouKli:  it  nuiHt  lio  orftanizod.  Mili- 1  Frcnoli  llcvoliition  donionstratod,  hv  a  largo 
tary  prai^tico,  tlio  liabit  of  warl'arn,  conti-  j  liarvoHt  of  military  linro(>H,  that  tlc^y  rise 
donee  in  thomsolvns,  tiio  eouraj^o  of  oiirjis,  i  from  the  ranks  as  well  as  aristocrai-ics. 
disc'i]>iin('d  subordination,  ans  tho  sclioids  |  Tlio  AnuM-ican  oxnpriinont,  takin;;  sol- 
cf  soldiery.  If  this  coutitry  were  near  i  dicrs  liy  mlistniont,  is  no  advanro  beyond 
Enropo,  a  standinj:;  army  would  be  neces- 
sary to  its  existence.     Inseriitable  d(>stiny 

is  so  pre])onderant  in  human  affairs  that    are  no  lon<;er  eidisted.  To  offict>rs,  the  Unit- 
ed States  allow  no  titles,  thoujih  more  than 


Kuropean  hostilities,  if  not  retrograde  ;  for 
except  in  (irtMit  llritain,  Kuropean  soldiers 


the  foreign  wars  of  the  United  States  have 
been  with  a  mother  country,  to  whom  it 
was  bound  by  the  strongest  ties,  with 
France,  to  whom  it  was  indebted  for  inde- 
pendence, and  with  Mexico,  a  neighboring 
republit!,  whoso  interests  with  ours  are  al- 
most the  samo.  It  is  vain  to  suppose  that 
anv  wisdom  can  always  preserve  [teace,  or 
poli(^y  select  either  enemies  or  friends. 

JIas  war  proved  detrimental  to  republi- 
canism? Democratic  progress  has  been  con- 
tinual since  the  declaration  of  independtmce, 
and  military  chief  magistrates  its  most 
liberal  promoters.  Wasliingt<in  reduced  at- 
tempted centralism  to  rejiublican  federal- 
ism, which  .Jackson  carried  to  democra- 
tic railicalism.  A  severe  and  arbitrary  re- 
strictive system,  anil  the  annexation,  by 
questionable  constitutionality,  of  Louisiana, 
were  Jefferson's  expedients  for  avoiding 
war,  which  was  declared  under  the  Presi- 
dencies of  Madison  and  Pidk,  the  least  mili- 
tary of  American  chief  magistrates. 

lias  that  government  proved  disadvan- 
tageous to  war?  The  common  Kuropean 
Itolicf,  till  dispelled  by  the  Fren(di  revolu- 
tionary wars,  was  that  nmnkind,  naturally 
timid,  ignorant  and  slothful,  refpiire  a 
separate  class  to  lead  them  into  danger, 
and  teach  them  not  to  fear  death  ;  a  caste 


any  Kuropean  pay  for  all  lower  grades :  both 
officers  and  soldiers  no  half  pay  or  pension 
for  the  war  of  IHI2,  nor  the  permanency  or 
consideration  which  in  other  countries  at- 
tend superannuated  officers.  The  emolu- 
ments, livelihood  and  prospects  of  all  the 
superior  American  otficc^rs,  arc  narrow, 
conipari'd  with  those  of  like  grailes  in 
other  countries.  S(!ott, Worth,  Jessup,  Tow- 
son,  and  some  few  others  of  the  distinguish- 
ed in  the  campaigns  of  IH14,  are  still  in  tho 
army.  Kut  Miller,  the  hero  of  IJridgewater, 
and  McNeill  obscurely  vegetate  on  the 
stinted  salaries  (d'  custom-houses,  while 
many  of  tlur  surviving  officers  of  that  war 
are  compelled  to  earn  a  living  as  tliev  may. 
What,  then,  wns  it  that  nerved  the  arn'is 
that  struck  so  powerfully  for  victory  at  tho 
Falls  of  Niagara?  AV'liy  is  it  that  Imt  ono 
traitor  officer  has  in  seventy  ycfurs  disgraced 
tho  American  army?  Why,  without  na- 
tional vanity  or  historical  romance,  may  it 
not  be  asked,  has  the  star-spangled  banner, 
by  st>a  and  ashc)re,  seldom  if  ever  been 
struck  when  Americans  were  disciplined? 
It  cannot  be  from  the  privates  alone  that 
the  spirit  came  to  overcome  the  English ;  for 
they  were  all  got  by  enlistment,  and  many  of 
them  the  same  by  birth  and  habits  as  tho 
Knglish  themsfdves.  Knergyofwill  put  forth 


educated    and    endowed    with    hereditary 

privileges,  to  induce  them  to  set  cxamides  i  in  constant  efl'orts  for  advanceiiKMit,  ediu^a- 
of  heroism.  Nobles  were  the  only  offiiu-rs.  I  tion,  consefpumt  greater  intfdligence  and 
Fearful  soldiers,  their  instinctive  timidity  |  activity,  familiarity  with  fire-arms,  Iiv(!s  of 
reformed  by  noble  officers,  artificially  coii-  adventure  and  hardihood,  will  explain  some 
rageous,  were  to  be  led  into  danger  and  superiority,  but  not  the  wliol(>,  which  nearly 
instructed  in  heroism.  S(ddiers  were  to  I  every  trial  throughout  1H14  evinced.  Do 
be  raised  to  oonrago  by  compulsion,  like  I  flattt^r  myself  and  mislead  by  the  asser- 
flowers  by  manure.  But  whatever  their  i  tion,  that  the  greater  the  liberty  the  greater 
aptitude,  they  <;ould  never  be(Mune  leaders.  |  the  excellence,  whilever  the  liberty  is  regu- 
Enlisted  at  low  wages  from  the  vulgar  and  '  lated  ;  that  man,  like  religion,  like  trade, 
refuse  of  tho  merest  jiopulace,  armies  were    like  at  least  the  useful,  if  not  the  fine  arts 


thns  commanded  uiwhir  the  great  Frederick, 
Marlborough,  Tureune  an<l  other  renowned 
leailers.  In  England  the  basis  was  the 
same,  but  with  a  mercenary  superstruc- 
ture, whether  noble  or  plebeian :  and  money 
still  commissions  their  officers.  'I'lie  seaman 
is  impressed,  the  soldier  hired,  the  officer 
buys  his  rank.  KvcTywhcu-e  throughout 
Europe,  law  or  society  has  invented  an 
honor  which  is  not  courage,  and  a  point 
of  honor  often  dislionorabhi  for  the  jtrofes- 
sion  of  classes  and  the  protection  of  states 


and  sciences,  like  everything  perfectly  li- 
berated from  all  but  indispensable  govern- 
ment, is  improved?  What  is  indispensalilo 
time  only  can  determine,  and  that  time  is 
yet  only  in  process  of  fulfilment;  but  in 
military  as  in  civil  progress,  has  so  far 
vindicated  self-goverment. 

These  reflections  will  be  found  justified  by 
an  almost  unbroken  courseofsnc<!ess,  when- 
ever war  tested  national  8uj)eriority,  till  thj 
ponce. 

Not  till  the  .Sd  August,  1814,  was  Lieu- 


A  Grecian  said,  better  an  army  of  deer  tenant-General  Drummond  sufficiently  rc- 
commanded  by  a  lion,  than  an  army  of  lions  covered  from  the  discomfiture  of  Bridge- 
led  by  a  slag.     But  Iloman  military  virtue  |  water,  to  follow  tho  American  invaders  to 


i 


Fort 

four 

who. 

on  th 

sortie 

dori 

ill  : 


Si! 


[1814. 

IS ;  and  the 
(I,  l)V  altir;!;o 
it  tlii^y  rise 
icrncicH. 
tiikin;!;  sol- 
mco  hcyotiil 
o^^nnle ;  f(ir 
r'dii  soldiors 
rs,  the  Vnltr 
I  nuiio  than 
grades :  hoth 
r  or  pcMisiiin 
inanoncy  or 
fnintries  at- 
Tho  (Miiohi- 
s  of  all  tho 
,ro    narrow, 

praih'H  in 
I'ssiip,  Tow- 
distin;;uisli- 
?  Ntill  in  tho 
irid<;owat('r, 
ito  on  th(! 
nsos,  while 
of  that  war 
s  thcv  may. 
mI  tlie  arn'is 
I'tory  at  tho 
hat  liiit  one 
rsdisfjracod 
vithont  na- 
ince,  niny  it 
led  lianncr, 

over  lM>(>n 
lisciplinod  ? 
!  ah)nf'  that 
Infrlish;  for 
ind  many  of 
hits  as  tho 
ill  put  forth 
innt,  cdiuMV- 
ij^ciino  and 
ms,  lives  of 
:pluin  sonio 
hii'li  nearly 
inced.  Do 
'  tilt!  asser- 
tho  pjreater 
rty  is  re<rn- 
liko  trade, 
le  fine  arts 
lerfectly  li- 
f)le  j]^overn- 
lispensaltle 
lat  time  is 
lit;  hnt  in 
huH  80  i'ar 

jnstifiedliy 
nesH,  wlien- 
ity,  till  thvi 

was  liieu- 
ciontly  ro- 
of Bridge- 
nvaders  to 


Chap.  IV.] 


REFLECTIONS  ON  WAR. 

— *— 


111 


I 


Fort  Erie,  to  which  he  laid  nief^o  with  abont 
lour  thousand,  nearly  all  regular  troops, 
who.  aft<'r  attempting  to  carry  it  by  storm, 
on  the  I'Jth  August,  were  demolished  by  a 
sortie  on  the  ITtli  September.  If  (Commo- 
dore ('hiinneey,  in  duly,  or  (ien(?ral  Izard, 
in  Seiitember,  as  ordered,  had  supiKU'ted 
llrown,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe; 
that  the  wli(do  British  army,  under  Druin- 
mond,  would  have  been  compelled  to  ea- 
jiitulato  in  Canada,  like  Tlurgoyno  at  Sara- 
toga, and  Cornwallis  at  Y(u'ktown. 

Ordimiry  apprindation,  and  admiration  of 
battle  and  victory,  is  naturally  greater,  when 
hundredsof  thousands  of  combatants,  led  by 
reni)Wi)ed  captains,  with  immense  carnage, 
contend  for  provinces,  frontiers,  kingdcunn 
and  dynasties,  in  the  heart  of  the  country 
ravaged  by  hostilities.  Yet,  their  philoso- 
j)hy  teaches,  that  tlie  little  victories  in  Ca- 
nada were  signiiii-ant,   if  not  decdsive,   of 


it  would.  Tho  secret  revealed  by  the  blazo 
of  triumph  nnide  known  that  far  from  im- 
possible, it  was  feasilde,  if  rightly  willeil 
and  bravely  irisiste(l  on.  To  yield,  long  tho 
American,  became  at  last  llritish  necessity, 
and  the  hiibit  exacted  by  the  one  and  con- 
ceded by  the  other  jieople.  Contumelious 
Knglish  annals  began  to  confess,  that  tho 
Americans  were  not  degenerate  offspring  of 
Britain.  Americans,  more  afraid  of  Jlng- 
land  than  of  death,  enforced  that  reality. 
After  a  huig  tract  of  discomfituns  when  tho 
Knglish  (Jeneral  Stuart,  v  itii  a  few  thou- 
sand men,  boldly  faced  and  dcftMitod  tho 
all-con(|uering  French  at  Miiida,  that  littlo 
victory  turned  tho  tide  of  triiimpli  which 
soon  b(!gan  to  flow,  till,  uinler  Wellington,  at 
last  it  reached  tho  Emperor  in  tho  metro- 
polis of  France. 

To    the    studet\t   of    history,    the   view 
reaches  farther  in  the  doctrine  lA'  warfare. 


empire  in  this  hemisphere.  National  strug- 1  its  martial,  [lolitical  and  territorial  etrects. 
gl(!  begun  for  independeuc(>,  and  renenved  |  The  battles  which  made  Cromwell  tho 
for  similar  prini'iples,  was  to  determiiu'  '<  master  of  (Jreat  tiritain  and  arbiter  of  Eu- 
which  was  the  strongest  people  in  Ann>rica.  i  rope,  which  immortalized  Tur<  'le,  and 
On  few  occasi(uis,  if  (sver  b(!fore,  had  IJri- [  wlii(di  signalized  the;  prowess  of  Spain, 
tish  sol(li(>rs  turned  to  fly  from  Americans  !  when  mistress  of  the  world,  were  I'ought  by 
in  ci(ual  comt)at;  much  less  in  superior  :  small  armies  of  a  few  thousand  men.  Cou- 
numbers.  British  troops  ai'o  seldom  put  rage,  strategy,  ov((ry  military  virtue,  wero 
to  flight.  There  belongs  to  tho  free-born  as  well  displayeil  on  the  smaller  as  tho 
Briton  a  spirit  of  hanlihood,  and  pride;  ofi  vaster  scale.  And  since,  beginning  with 
endurance,  which  his  American  offspring  i  liouis  th(>  XI  Vth's  lust  t)f  aggrandizement, 
cannot  but  respec^t.  American  reverence  |  armies,  carried  furth<>r  liy  Marlborough  and 
for  FiUglanil,  ntixed  by  English  injustice  i  Frederick,  till  stretedied  to  einn-mous  di- 
and  contumtdv,  with  inimical  recollections,  1  niensions  by  Napoleon,  immense  forces 
n(;vertheless   is  so  imprt'ssive,  that  Ameri- j  have;  struggled  with  immensi'  carnage  for 


cans  seldom  think  Englishmen  vincible. 
That  filial  reverence  was  a  revolutionary 
disadvantage,  under  whicdi  they  contended 


mastery,  have  France,  (iermany  or  Spain 
(dianged  materially  and  jiermanently  tlieir 
boundaries   or   power?     Military  reaction 


for  independence,  tliniinished,  but  not  ex- '  has  eijunlled  action  with  me(dianical  [«rc- 
tinct  during  the  many  years  of  British  i  cision.  Nations,  states  ami  principalities, 
domineering  ami  American  submission,  1  overrun  liy  hundredsof  thousands  <if  men 
which  provoked  the  long-deferred  war  oi'i  in  arms,  with  conscription  and  paper  mo- 
li^l'2.  Natural  impression,  and  habitual  ;  ney,  swelling  the  bulk  id"  war,  remain  mm-h 
iV  .nsideration,   reepiired   violent   shocks   to  i  ;is   they  were   when  ten   thousand   settled 


jirovoke  American  vanity  to  self-respect, 
and  overcome  filial  and  colonial  vene- 
ration.    A    small    Ain(>ri(;an    army    over- 


their  fate. 

The  Canadian  tournaments  which  began 
at  Chippewa,  not  planned  by  government 


came  a  1  irger  oiui  of  those  strenuous  j  or  syshnnatieally  executed,  gaining  no  tcr- 
nien  of  tho  mother  country,  bv  superior  i  ritory,  costing  some  blood,  made  strong  iiii- 
intelligence,  agility,  and  the  still  groat(>r  I  pression  both  in  P]ngland  and  America, 
energy  of  gn^ater  free(loni.  The  charm  of  j  Just  where  (Jreat  Britain,  turning  from 
British  invincibility,  shivered  to  pieces  at  I  vancpiished  Franco,  transported  from  Bor- 
sea  on  tlit;  deck  of  a  singh;  frigate,  was  |  deaux  the  veteran  conquerors  of  nuniber- 
brokon  near  the  Falls  of  Niagara  by  a  bri-   less  liattles,  and  tho  American  government 


gailo.  Kacli  victory  inaugurati'd  a  career 
of  triumphs.  A  hundred  thousand  siddiers 
could  not  do  it  more  etl'ciitually.  Every 
succeeding  (.^madian  battle  manifested,  till 
those  of  I'hittsliurg  and  Krio  established, 
that  the  (^onlidence  and  illusion  of  su(;cess, 
so  larg(dy  instrumental  to  its  attainment, 
were  traiisplantcd  from  tho  British  to  the 
Amorit  in  stamlard,  ashore  as  at  soa;  that 
vows  of  victory  or  death  much  oftonor  led 
to  victory  than  death ;  that  tho  American 
army,  like  the  uavy,  could  bo  victorious  if 


shrunk  justly  alarmed  liy  tho  vast  display 
of  British  power  and  overwhelming  shout 
of  continental  vengeance,  a  few  young  of- 
(iiiers  without  experience  of  arms,  but  by 
mmtifying  defeats,  tho  army  like  the  navy, 
long  trodden  down  by  FiUropeaii  contumely 
and  fettered  by  republican  parsimony,  re- 
solved by  noldo  effort  to  rescue  the  Ame- 
rican flag  from  its  degradation  where  it  had 
been  most  degraded,  in  Canada,  or  perish 
in  the  glorious  attempt,  like  tho  naval  effort 
at  soa.    Nor  did  the  army,  like  the  navy, 


I. 


■1  \< 

■''■>:'.■': 


1^ 


.11 


118 


UKI'LK(  TIONS  ON  WAR. 


I 


:i 


i-l 


fear  tlio  triiil,  for,  liko  tlio  niivy,  tlu'V  foh 
till'  jiiMt  riinlidciicf  ol'  tliclr  fii|iiii'itv  iit  Icust 
i'i|uiil    til   tli;it   <il'   tlicir   t'lit'iiiiivs.      liy    llii> 

IK'iii'iMif  Kiiroiic,  this  I'imntrv  wiis  Icl't  .■<iii;il(> 
iiiiiilcil  to  stri\i>  iiifHiiist  lirciit  Kritiiiii:  a 
Iti'iMlicaini'iit  ))i'iiviilriitial  f'ni'  tin-  lutiii'i'  ami 
aHtiii^  ainitv  of  \u>iU  iiatiuiiM,  Ki'vncatioii 
of  tluMinlcrs  ill  I'liiiiicil  rcinoMMl  wliat  I'iii;^- 
laiiil  (Ici'iiii'd  tin'  ciiii't'  raiisc  oi'  war.  I'cai'i- 
ill  Kiinipi'  |ail  an  I'lnl  In  tliat  i'or  wliicli  tin' 
l>  iiitcd  States  still  ciiiiti'tiiloil.  i'!n^laii<l  li:iil 
ni>  ofciisiipii  or  jirtiti'Xt  lor  iniiircssiiK'iit ;  the 
IJnitcil  Stati'S  liad  no  faiisc  of  coiniilaint, 
JS'otliiiif;  but  tlu'  tliiMiry  of  a  ])rinui[>lo  ro- 
liiainod  in  i-ontrovcMsy. 

Still  lircat  Hritaiii  persisted  with  re- 
douliltul  power,  vi;;or,  rt'soiiri'c  and  arri- 
nioiiv;  the  L'nited  States  almost  huinlilv 
peeking;  neace.  In  that  relative  position  of 
the  lielli^^ereiits,  the  last  ('anipai<in  was 
fortunate  I'or  this  eoiiiitry,  warnin;;  to  that, 
fialiitary  and  diiralily  trani|nili/iii^  tor  Imlh. 
l'eai;o  with  Canada  eonijucri'd  niijilit  ha\e 
been  loiij;  deferred  and  dearly  lioiio;ht, 
inie;lit  have  eost  the  pai'itie  institutions  and 

Jredileetioiis  of  the  Anieriean  repui)lie. 
*eaee  without  the  ('anadian  laittles,  w  itliout 
Chippewa,  llridj^ewater,  Krieand  I'lattshur;: 
tu  iiieinoriali/e,  would  have  lieeii  too  hiiinili- 
atin^j;  to  one  nation  and  too  llatterin;;  to  the 
Other  to  last.  It  must  have  lieen  an  uneasy 
truce,  lloth  lKdlij;ereiits  needed  more  war; 
vhieh  J'rovid(!m(!  >;avo  siuli  as  to  ho  the 
pled<;e  of  lastin;^  and  respectful  amity;  the 
ciilv  rtdatioii  that  nations  seldom  interruiit 
oncl  never  re<;ret. 

The  ha/.ardous  martuil  cxeursion,  which 
Brown  and  Scott,  perhaps  contrary  to  human 
reason,  led  into  (.  aiiaila,  a  rash  experiment 
to  conquer  or  die  there,  a  sellisli  thirst  per- 
adventiiro  of  mere  renown,  reviveil  the 
martial  and  national  spirit,  created  an 
army,  raised  the  droopinir  credit  of  f;overii- 
mcnt,  excited  the  enthusiasm,  and  corrobo- 
rated the  union,  id"  the  people.  The  tone  of 
Jtiiblie  seiitinieiit  was  entirely  cdianj^ed. 
!}ii;{lisli  inveteratt!  and  revenj^eful  enmity 
most  opportunely  still  further  invi;iorate(l 
American  nali(uiality.  IJaltles  in  Canada 
■\vhicli  con(|ueri'd  nothing;  but  victory,  did 
more  to  make  peace  than  all  its  solicitation 
at  St.  I'eter.sbiirf^  and  liondon,  neirotiation 
and  arran;;emeiit  at  Ghent.  'J'ho  treaty  of 
Ghent  without  those  battles  would  have 
liciui  the  shame  of  the  United  States,  and 
Ijoginninj;  of  another  war. 

The  veterans  of  the  Anioriean  revolution 
had  fallen  Into  the  sere:  their  sap  was 
gone.  The  oflic<'rs  oi'  the  mere  skeleton  of 
an  army  kept  on  foot,  had  never  .seen  a 
liattlc,  or  performed  more  than  {j;arrison 
duty.  Except  some  Indian  combats,  there 
had  been  no  battle  in  North  America  for 
thirty  year.s,  durin;;  which  period,  the  mo.st 
enorvatin;;;  influence  of  lucrative  jirosperitv 
had  undormiued  American  cnor;!;y,  whicli 
was   nearly  nil   turaed  to  growing  riuh. 


[1814. 

Till  an  KniiliMh  fri^inte  struck  lior  flai^  and 
an  l')ii<j;lish  army  lied,  (here  was  no  tiiiil  ol 
stren;;tli  with  tlie  mi^jhty  Mii)ilish,  proved 
in  a  thousand  combats  bv  sea  ami  land 
throu;^liout  Knrope,  Asia,  .\IVica  and  Ame- 
rica, iiia;:nilied  to  American  reverence  by 
irresistible  exaj^jreralioii,  foinenteil  liy  Kn;;- 
linh  arrojiaiice.  'i'lie  best  American  re;;nlar 
soldiers  were  but  a  lew  dispersed  sea  feii- 
cibles,  employed  to  keep  dilapidateil  forts 
or  overcome  maraudinu;  savap'S.  Itecol- 
lectioiis  of  Itiinker's  Jlill,  Sarato^ra  and 
Kinji's  .Mountain  were  obscured  by  tlio 
piiHilhinimous  surrtMiders  at  l)etroit  and 
Nia;;ara,  the  dreadful  massacn^s  at  llaisin 
and  llam|)toii;  the  miserable  abortions  at 
W'illiamsliurjj  and  La  Cole.  A  fewdawnin^; 
successes  introduced  the  third  year  of  lioi»- 
tilitii's;  two  prior  years  of  which  but  l><r 
naval  prowess  would  have  been  an  hisluri- 
cal  tissue  ui  iVmurican  incapai'ity  for  war. 
The  jousts  on  the  banks  of  the  Nia;;ara  were 
like  dinds,  which  human  reason  condemns 
but  human  inlirmity  suiters,  War  its(df  is 
only  a  necessary  evil,  unjustiliable  in  all 
liut  extreme  cases.  When  its  ravii;;es  and 
bloodshed  are  diminished,  shall  it  therefore 
be  condemneil  or  its  triumph  less?  'I"he 
national  sacritice  in  Canada,  at  a  small  cost, 
tau);lit  tlreat  ISritain  to  respect  the  I'nited 
Stales  more  ellectually  and  less  painfully 
than  itsciinijuest  would  havedone.  ISloodier 
battles,  more  extensive  and  expensive  I'oii- 
<|Uests  Would  not  bettcu' have  inculcated  the 
necessity  of  forbearance  and  the  wisdom  of 
peace.  Thirty-live  years  (d"  it  since,  iiot- 
witlistandiii;;  numerous  continual  causeH 
of  contention,  attest  the  virtue  of  that 
amity  whicdi  tlios('  batiles  contribute  to 
ensure.  As  before  intimated,  the  United 
States  hav(!  lost  f^round  by  treaties,  but 
never  by  hostilities.  Several  treaties  with 
Oreat  Britain  in  XlH'.i,  171»4,  l.sl">,  IH41, 
ISlt),  and  many  ne<rotiations  demonstrate 
that  her  controversies  with  the  United 
States  have  always  been  more  success- 
ful, by  the  inlluences  of  consan;fuinity 
and  arts  of  diplomacy,  than  by  force  of 
arms. 

Sfrataj;etieal  science  and  military  learn- 
in;;  may  censure  Brown's  exptM'imental  bat- 
tles as  contrary  to  W(dl-known  rules  (d'  the 
art  of  war.  His  ina;;a/.ines  left  at  S(dilosser, 
where  the  enemy  nii;;ht  at  any  time  have 
taken  them  anil  paralyzed  tlnireby  his 
whole  adventure,  his  little  army  divided  at 
both  battles,  fi;;htin;!;  by  detachments,  when 
every  ]irincipio  of  the  common  sense  of 
attack  dictates  consolivlatioii  of  power  and 
concentration  of  blows,  not  to  nieiitio'* 
other  less  important  errors,  have  been  cen- 
sured, and  are  idaioxious  to  it.  Hut  there 
is  ^i-enius  as  well  as  fortune  in  war:  of 
which  the  ruling;  spirit  is  that  courage  at 
the  same  time  ardent  and  considerate 
which  will  not  brook  defeat.  By  that  he 
triumphed   over  hiy  own  errors  and  his 


I 


[1814. 
luT  (lii;i;  iind 

IM   III!   tl'illl   III' 

II  anil    iaiiil 

II  lillll    iVlllK- 

I'M'li'liri'    |)y 
itcii  |i_v  I'ili;;- 
iriiii  ri';;iilur 
Ni'il    sen  I'l'ii. 
iiliiti'il  i'di'tH 
;rH.      Iii'i'dl- 
I'litiiirii   and 
ri'il    liy   tlio 
Di'tiiiit  anil 
H  at  KiUMin 
al)i)rtiiinH  at 
I'W  dawning 
H'lir  oC  liiih- 
I'li  lull  liir 
I  an  lii.<ilnri- 
tv  for  war. 
ui^^ara  woro 
I   rnnili'liiMH 
Vnr  itMi'lf  in 
!ilili<  in  all 
'iiMi;;i's  ami 
it  tliiTi'l'iirc 
.•.".s?     The 
I  ^'nl!lll  cost, 
till-  I'liitnl 
s  I  lain  fully 
i>.   liliiiiilicr 
ciisivo  con- 
ulcati'il  tlio 
I  wiMliiin  of 

HilK'l>,  iiot- 

iial  caiisoH 
III'  of  that 
iitriliuti'  to 
till!  Lniti'd 
•oatirs,  l)iit 
I'litii'M  ■with 
iSl".,  l«41, 
I'Dii  nisi  rate 
lie    L'nitod 

0  tilKTI'SH- 

Nanj^iiinity 
ly  I'ort'O  of 

tary  I(>arn- 
iiiuital  liiit- 
iiii's  iif  the 
,  Srliliix.sor, 

tiino  have 
lori'liy    his 

divided  at 
unts,  when 

1  Hi'ii.se  of 
power  and 
>    nientio  I 

))f!en  cen- 
Uut  there 
1  war:  of 
^•oura^o  at 
[jnsiderato 
'•y  that  he 
i  aud  Lis 


CjiAr.  TV.l 


n 


I 


IlF.Sl'LTH  OF  BIIOWX'S  SUCCESS 

ly  HUoeoMS, 


113 


f>ly1 


rnntny  M  ri'sistiinr**,  not  more 
hut  hy  eertiiiniy  lii'si'rviii;^  it. 

IIi-owii'h  Ciiiiiiilian  eaniiiiii^n  oflesn  than 
neventv  day'*,  nioiiiiniental  for  his  faun',  nlo- 
vioiiM  lor  till'  Ann'riiMin  army,  was  ini'stima- 
lilc  in  its  licm'tii'ial  natioiiiil  I'otisi'ijm'm'i's. 
It  di'l'cmli'd  till'  Atlaiitie  NrnlMpnrd  nmri'  ef- 
fi'i'tmilly,  and  infniiti'lv  I'hi'iipi'r  tliiiii  a 
liiimlrrd  tlionsiUid  militia  could  have  doin 


iniMNionerH  iit  fllient.  TIiedilTi'rences  with 
Ami'i'ira  will  not  Ije  ho  wi'llor  so  iirnmiuly 
settled  liy  diseiissioii  as  hy  iictin;;.  Aiiie- 
ririiii  asiendeni'v  "»  the  f,akes  will  make 
.Mr.  (liillatin  ami  his  nssoeiate  eominission- 
ers  assume  a  torn  li  iiisoli'iire  the  wry  re- 
verse of  that  mitioiiiil  style  in  whiidi  they 
would  trriit  if  Lord  llill,  at  thr  head  lif 
twenty  thousand  men,  should  iienetrati'  into 


With  eom|il('te  coiiiniand  of  the  waters,  the  '  the  heart  of  their  territory.  Hut,  if  he  waits 
Uritish  eoiild  transport  and  hind  forees  as,  1  till  frost  si'ts  in,  the  ne;^otiationH  of  (ilieiit 
and  where  tin  y  would,  which  it  was  impos-  [  will  freeze  too." 

sihle  to  anticipati',  provide  ii;i;ainst,  and  for  |  Kn^lish  ilcnnuidR  and  oxpeelatlons  were 
till'  most  part  to  resist.  From  the  time  of  for- 1  as  lofty  as  that  arro;;aiit  tone.  All  the  lake;^, 
iiial  aiiniiiiciatioii  to  our  ^^ovcrnmi'iit  of  liar- 1  at  least  all  Ontario  and  Krie,  all  tlleli^^lleries, 
hiirous  systems  of  warfare,  pursued  tliriii>;h- '  all  the  rolonial  trade,  excludin;^  this  eoiiii- 
oiit  the  summi'r  and  autumn  of  IS  J  4,  from  try,  from  hotli  F.ast  and  West  Uritish  Indies, 
J'liistport  to  \i'W  Orleans,  there  was  hardly  a  '  ncwlioiindarii's  for  it;  east,  north  and  west; 
city  or  place  near  the  coast,  I'ortlaiid,  Salem,  I  New  Orleans,  if  not  all  lionisiana,  and  much 
Newport,  New  lioiidoii,  New  York,  Haiti- j  of  MassachusettH,  taken  from  the  I'nited 
more,  Norfolk,  AVashinjjtoii  and  so  to  New  | 'States;  no  American  possessions  north  of 
Orleans  (hut  was  not  threatened,  many  at-  the  (.)liio;  Indian  Hiivereif>;nty  within  the 
liickcd,  some  captured  and  all  ke]it  in  con-  rniti'd  ."^tates,  and  no  rnited  States  im- 
tiiiual  alarm.  Ao  army  could  Ik;  every-  tlioritv  anion;;;  their  Indian  borders;  were 
wlieic  ready  to  repel  iliese  some  actual.  '  iiostutates  of  Uritish  pulilio  sentiment 
all  aiiiirelicndi'd  assaults.     The  invasion  id'  and  \iews  of  government,  in  the  fpriii';;  if 


t'annda  kept  a  lar;j;e  li(jsiile  furce  occuiiicd  1^14.  W'antoiilv  enforced  liy  ille;iitii.r,.le 
tlieie.  If  Urown's,  instead  of  two  or  three  '  hostilities  proclaimed  as  the  rule  and  the 
had  lieen  ei^lit  or  ten  thousand  stron;;,  tlii'v  I  I'ljiht  of  Uritish  vvarfari;  a;;iiinst  .\iuerica, 
woiiM  prolialilv  ha\e  detniiied  the  IJritisli  i  lineal  otfsprin;?  of  the  maritime  wrongs,  hy 
v.lio  captured  \Vas!iiii;;t(in  from  venturing:  '  which  at  sea  they  jirovokcd  the  loni!;-de- 
tliere.  .Mas;a(diiisetts  and  Connecticut  f'errcd  and  reluctant  American  appetil  ti> 
iniiilit  ha\i'  escjiped  the  hostile  visitations  |  arms,  these  hane;hty,  vindictive  ami  in- 
liy  which  their  coasts  were  lielea^iired  and  '  siipportalde  expectations  ranidly  disap- 
iiiany  of  their  towns  caiifiired.  which  Mas-;  peared  under  their  continual  (liscomfitureH 
sachusctts  fiiili'd  to  defend.  The  thirty  or  ;  diiriii;;  the  summer,  and  were  aliandoneil 
flirty  thousand  Uritish  troops  with  wliicli  lu'fore  the  Uritish  reverses  in  Loiiisiaim 
Canada  swarmed  after  the  peace  of  i;uro)»e,  were  known  at  (ihent,  wlii're  their  Cana- 
wnuld  have  overwhelmed  liir;je  parts  of  the  I  dian  failiiri  ^  Niiiliciently  estaldislied  tlie 
Atlantic  shores;  for  how  could  sudden  and  ■  impossiliility  of  pe  ice  on  any  sncli  terms; 
unexpected  inroads  he  resisted,  of  which  the  while  American  pM]Tuliiticin.  manufactures, 
mere  dread  was  ii]ipressively  costly  in  the  ]  military  science,  disci[pliiii'  and  ]iower, 
mimhers  of  militia  called  forth?  (jne  hiin-  union,  nationality  and  str('n_lli  were  in 
drcil  thousand  e;ood  troops  could  not  have  constant  development  under  the  same 
jirevented  such  inroads  liy  oiie-iifth  of  their  administration,  iiolicy  and  .state  of  par- 
niimlier.  The  defensive  elfect  of  oH'onsive  ties  which  declared  and  prosecuted  the 
war  in  Canada  was  stronjjly  felt.  |  war.     In  Art^iist,  the   London  jiress,   still 

Uut  in  all  wars  the  moral  exceeds  the  unapprised  of  the  c!ian;i;eH  of  afl'airH  and 
actual  inlliience;  hope  or  fear  do  more  than  pi'ospects,  persisted  in  jdans  of  con- 
Corce.  'I'lie  effect  of  Urown's  eainpai;in  ■  iiuest,  when  the  Canadian  official  Jour- 
was,  therefore,  striking.  prom|it,  palpa- 1  nal,  the  (^ll'hel!  Oazette  of  the  2;!d  Sep- 
hle  in  lowering  tin;  tone  of  Uritish  confi- j  temlier,  lX]4,  more  than  eonfcssed  the 
dence,  as  hetrayed  hy  the  Knglish  and  liopelessness,  and  declared  the  danger  of  at- 
Canadian  jiress,  the  thermmneterH  of '  temiiting  it.  "With  all  our  strength," 
]iuliHc  Hentiment  and  expcictation.  Th(>  said  that  voice  of  official  warning  and 
London  jtress,  announcing  new.s  unfa- :  despondency,  "with  all  our  strength,  it 
vorahle  from  Ontiirio,  dec  hired  the  ae-  would  he  rashness  to  jH'netrato*far  into  the 
counts  "douhly  disagreeahle,  coming  ho  ;  United  States,  and  might  produce  another 
unexpectedly,  at  a  moment  when  we  hoped  :  Saratoga.  Uritish  troops  on  the  Niagara 
that  the  mighty  ell'orts  of  the  undivided  |  have  now  an  enemy  to  contend  with  imt  to 
strength  of  Uritain  were  about  to  crush  the  j  be  contemned."     This  lowered  tone,  strik- 


stripling  insolence  of  the  United  States  into 
its  native  nothingness.  Wo  can  hardly 
suppose,  that  an  army  so  strong  in  num- 
bers, so  high  in  charaeter,  and  so  accus- 
tomed to  victory,  would  be  sent  so  far  to 

act  eventually  upon  the  proceedings  of  com-   as  well  as  tlioso  of  Lake  Ontario 
8 


ing  the  flag  of  coniiuest,  deprecation  in 
(Juebcc  of  the  coni(uering  war,  directed 
from  London,  probably  regarded  the  waters 
and  banks  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  Brit- 
ish fleets  and  armies  had  jnst  been  defeated, 

liutthe 


';!"j 


114 


TEXOBSCOT. 

_♦ — 


[1814. 


i-i-'  n 


M 

hi  i 


I" 


HI 


it 


(lisimct  nllusion  to  tlio  onomy  on  the  Ni-  two  tliousand  five  hnn<lrod  at  the  hattle  of 

Ufjnv,;    iiiKiuostionalily   upkiiowlfiliffd  the  lii-iilj:;owator.     After    that    battle,    Drum- 

stuntiin;,'  Mow  uf  Hr(»wn'f»  si.a;nul  vietories  mon<l  was   reinforced  hy  De  Watteville's 

thcie.     Dniinmond'K  army  of  six  thousand  regiment,  one  thousiind  strono;;  the  cightj'- 

iivo  Imndred  superior  troo])s,   "strong  in  second  regiment,  seven  hundred  and  fifty; 

numliers,    high    in   diaracter,  and    accus-  tlio  Hixth  regiment,  six  hundred,  and  the 

tonied  to  victory,"  had  not  only  Vieen  over-  ninety-seventh  regiment,  five  hundred.   Not 

tiirown  liy  inferior  numbers,  low  in  cha-  less  than  six  thousand  live  hundred  excel- 

racter  and  unaccustomed  to  victory,  but  the  lent  British  regular  troops,  without  count- 

Knglish  army  was  demolished.     Consisting  ing  their  hordes  of  Indian  and  Canailian 

at  tirst  of  tlie  eighth  regiment,  ov  King's  militia,   had   been   routed,   mostly  killed, 

Own,  f  mr  hundred  and  lifty  men,  the  forty-  M'ounded,  captured,  all  demoralized  and  dis- 

tirst  regiment,  cons(didated  four  hundred:  eouraged.     In  defiance  of  the  "  mighty  ef- 

t'lo  eighty-ninth  regiment,  six  hundred  and  forts  of  the  undivided  strength  of  Britain," 

lifty;  the  ono-Jiuiidreilth  regiment,  six  hun-  three  or  four   thousand  American  troops 

ilred;  the  one  hundred  and  third  regiment,  held   possession  of  that  part  of  Canada, 

ciglit  hundred;  the  ilank  companies  of  Mie  where  in  May,  the  defeated  commander  of 

one  hundre<l  and  fourth  regiment,  two  hun-  the   province  had  executed   a  number  of 

died;  the  lirst  Royal  Scots,  seven  hundred;  persons  convicted  of  high  treason  for  even 

the   Olengaries,  three   hundred;   and  the  wishing  well  to   us.     Such  were  (ieneral 

lioynl  Artillery,  one  hundred  and  fifty;  from  Brown's  important  defence  of  the  Atlantic 

which  total,  (h'ductiug  what  tht\y  lost  by  the  cities,  and  argument  for  peace,  by  his  bold 

capture  of  Fort  I'h-ie  and  battle  of  Chippe-j  invasion  of  Canada  and  adventurous  cam- 

wa,  there  remained   at   least   three  thou-  paign. 
8:\irI  five  huiulred  eoml.iatants,  defeated  bv  I 


CHAPTER  V. 

SUBJLT.-VTION   OF   PENOBSCOT— BOSTON   AND  PORTSMOUTH  ATTEMPTS  TO  SUR- 
RENDER THE  SHIPS  OF   WAR. 


The  provisional  articles  between  the 
United  States  trf  America  and  his  Britannic 
Idajesty,  done  at  Paris  in  1782,  and  the  de- 
finitive treaty  of  peace  between  them  signed 
tiiere  in  178;!,  opened  questions  of  bt)und- 
uries  between  the  two  countries  which  were 
Uiit  settled  for  seventy  years;  and  then  by 
treaties  arranged  at  Washington,  surren- 
dering large  portions  of  territory  in  North 
Ilastern  and  North  Western  America  to 
( iroat  Britain,  the  power  of  whose  influence 
and  dread  of  whoso  hostilities  clfocted 
what  no  war  wouhl  have  done:  nor  was 
there  danger  of  the  alternative  of  war,  as 
urged  bv  those  calling  themselves  peace- 
makers, '  if  tiiis  country  had  refused  to 
hurronder  the  portions  of  Maine  and  of 
Oregon  yielded.  The  United  States  have 
]nirchased  from  the  In<lians,  from  France 
and  from  !?piiin,  and  lately  by  mixture  of 
conquest  and  purchase  got  from  Mexico, 
large  territorial  ac((uisitions  ;  and  to  F.ng- 
land  only  have  yicdded  ground.  The  nortli- 
■west  angle  of  Nova  Si.'otia,  said  ))y  the 
before -mentioned  articles  and  treaty  of 
peace  to  be  formed  by  a  line  drawn  due 
niu'th  from  the  source  of  the  St.  Croix 
lliver  to  the  Highlands,  and  an  exception 
of  islands  within  the  limits  of  the  province 
of  Nova  Scotia,  were  questionable  premises 


which  tempted  England,  in  1814,  to  under- 
take the  conquest  of  the  Penobscot  Valley, 
ab'ifiit  one  hundred  miles  of  the  nortli- 
eastern  part  of  Massachusetts,  compre- 
hending fortj'-two  towns,  a  considerable 
number  of  inhabitants,  and  great  maritime 
advantages. 

For  nearly  a  hundred  years  the  river  St. 
Croix  had  been  the  undisputed  western 
boundary  of  Nova  Scotia.  The  country  be- 
tween the  Passamaquoddy  and  Penobscot, 
defended  for  near  a  century  liy  Massachu- 
setts from  the  Indians,  Avas  part  of  that 
commonwealth,  both  colonial  and  inde- 
pendent. In  1814,  from  Eastport  to  Cas- 
tine,  not  less  than  forty  thriving  towns, 
each  containing  several  hundr(>d  inhabit- 
ants, were  represented  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature at  Boston,  and  in  Congress,  at  Wash- 
ington, That  regicm  then  beginning  to 
develop  its  excellent  territorial  and  mari- 
time resources,  lumber  trade,  fisheries  and 
navig.ation,  as  much  part  of  the  old  Bay 
State  as  Boston,  was  coveted  by  England, 
claimed  at  Ghent,  in  scarcely  veiled  frivoli- 
ty of  pretext — as  Frederick  claimed  Silesia, 
seized  beforehand;  relin(iuishcd  indeed  by 
equivocal  stipulation,  and  not  without  sug- 
gestions ultimately  realized,  of  an  equiva- 
lent  north  of  it  for  a   highway  between 


[181-1. 

le  Lattlo  of 
lo,  Drum- 
Vattevillc's 
the  oightj'- 
and  liftv ; 
(1,  ami  the 
ulvcd.  Not 
drcd  cxccl- 
lout  coiint- 
1  Canadian 
itly  killod, 
ed  and  dis- 
niighty  of- 
if  Britain," 
can  troops 
)f  Canada, 
inlander  of" 
number  of 
on  for  even 
re  General 
10  Atlantic 
by  liis  bold 
urous  cam- 


Chap.  v.] 


CAPTURE  OF 

♦ 


EASTPOIIT. 


IK 


TO  SUR-  ^ 


4,  to  under- 
foot Valley, 
the  nortli- 
;s,  comprc- 
onsiderablo 
it  maritime 

ho  river  St. 
3d  ■western 
country  bc- 
I'cnobscot, 
Massachu- 
art  of  that 
and  indc- 
ort  to  Cas- 
ing!; towns, 
cd  inhabit- 
5tato  Le<j;iR- 
s,  at  Wash- 
j^iuninp;  to 
I  and  marl- 
dieries  and 
le  old  Uay 
y  En<i;lan(l, 
lied  frivoli- 
iied  Silesia, 
I  indeed  by 
itliout  su;;'- 
an  equiva- 
.y  between 


Il.alifax  and  Quebec,  which  liv  unuiunded 
demand  in  the  be<j;innin<;,  Enpiland  suc- 
ceeded at  last  in  wresting  from  the  United 
States.  The  valley  between  Passamaquoddy 
and  Penobscot  enjoys  the  maritime  advan- 
tages of  almost  every  place  near  the  At- 
lantic, havinp;  its  own  peculiar  water  chan- 
nel to  the  ocean,  besides  numerous  islands 
on  the  coast.  A  ranj^o  of  lofty  moun- 
tains in  the  interior,  ono  of  them  the  peak 
of  Katahdin,  towerinp;  above  any  •  but 
the  AVhite  Mountains  of  New  Ilamjishiro, 
through  that  space,  connected  with  the 
AUej^hany  ranj^e,  shows  liy  vast  continen- 
tal configuration,  that  Jlaine  and  Missis- 
sippi, which  in  1820  entered  the  American 
Union  as  twin  states,  are  linked  to;:;etlier 
by  bonds  of  natural  and  territorial  as  well 
as  commercial  association,  which  no  Euro- 
])ean  invader  should  be  allowed,  or  perhaps 
can  sunder.  Androscoggin  lakes,  several 
fine  rivers,  and  a  sea  coast  of  unsurpassed 
seafaring  opportunities,  render  that  north- 
eastern extremity  of  the  United  States  a 
rich  correlative  of  the  south-western  valley 
of  the  Mississippi.  That  country  England 
subdued  without  resistance.  The  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts  made  no  eilbrt  to 
prevent,  if  it  did  not  connive  and  rejoice; 
at,  its  subjugation.  The  same  jealousy  of 
southern  extension  and  o]>position  to  the 
war  paralyzed  resistance  to  English  inva- 
sion of  Massachusetts,  and  part  of  the  north- 
cast  was  almost  peaceably  and  permanently 
reduced  to  English  dominion,  just  l)cfore 
the  south-west  defeated  a  much  more  for- 
nii<lable  invasion  there.  As  the  re])ulsion 
of  English  invasion  of  Louisiana  was 
the  most  brilliant,  so  was  submission  to 
that  of  Massachusetts  the  most  ignomini- 
ous and  alarming  event  of  the  war ;  and 
but  for  the  victories  of  the  former,  and 
other  American  victories,  the  latter  might 
have  remained  a  lasting  loss  and  stigma  to 
the  American  Union. 

On  the  12th  July,  1814,  the  governor  of 
the  province  of  New  Brunswick,  Sir  .John 
Slierbrooke,  officially  communicated  from 
St.  Andrews,  in  that  pi'ovince,  through 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Fitzlierbert,  to  IJriga- 
dier-fieneral  John  Brewer,  of  lloliinstown, 
in  that  part  of  Massachusetts  since  become 
Maine,  commanding  the  tenth  militia  dis- 
trict, which  communication  was  forwarded 
to_(iovornor  Strong,  at  Boston,  that  the 
object  of  tlio  British  government  was  to 
obtain  possession  of  the  islands  of  Pass.a- 
ma<iuoddy  Bay,  in  consequence  of  their 
being  considered  within  the  British  bound- 
ary line ;  but  that  there  Avas  no  intention 
of  offensive  operations  against  the  people  of 
the  continent,  who  would  not  be  disturbed, 
if  remaining  quiet.  That  communication, 
not  indeed  in  time  to  prevent  invasion,  at 
all  events  warned  the  state  government  that 
the  state  was  to  be  invaded,  and  where  and 
what  part  of  it  was  to  bo  subdued  under 


British  dominion,  and  Wiiy.  The  islands 
on  Passamaciuoddy  Bay  wore  to  1)e  sevtM-cd 
from  NcAV  England  and  annexed  to  New 
Brunswick,  where  the  governor  of  that  jiro- 
vince  informed  the  Oovernor  of  ^lassachu- 
setts  they  belonged,  (iovernor  Strong  was 
challengeil  to  perform  what  the  constituted 
authorities  of  Massachusetts  and  the  Ivist- 
ern  opponents  of  the  national  administra- 
tion 111  Congress,  with  vain-glorious  asse- 
veration, had  con;;tantly  pledged  themselves 
to  do,  to  repel  invasion  from  their  t-oil 
and  homesteads,  and  carry  on  defensive 
war  with  a  vigor  and  effect  that  should 
]mt  to  shame  JIadison's  puny  abortiims 
of  offensive  war.  It  Avas  the  very  case 
which  those  malcontents  had  demanded 
and  boasted  they  Avould  signalize,  as  con- 
tra-distinguished from  tlu!  conipiest  of  C.i- 
nada.  It  was  the  very  boast  of  Mr. 
AVebster  in  his  cUiquent  sjieech.  Oovernor 
Strong  had  loft  undone  nothing  that  could 
be  done,  short  of  forcible  resistance,  to  or- 
ganize defeat  of  the  national  government: 
but  far  from  abjuring  the  defence  of  his 
state,  it  was  the  boast  of  all  his  adherents, 
that  they  never  would  sutler  what  they 
called  their  country  to  bo  invaded, — in- 
deed, that  they  would  wage  even  offensive 
war,  if  allowed  to  do  it  as  they  pleased. 

On  the  llth  of  July,  1814,  two  thousand 
troops,  among  them  the  regiments  which, 
a  year  before,  committed  the  outrages  at 
Hampton  and  Craney  Island,  in  the  Chesa- 
jieake,  led  by  Adjutant-Oeneral  Pilkington. 
were  landt^d  from  Commodore  Ilarily's 
ships,  the  Bamilies  and  others,  and  captured 
Eastport,  the  last  American  town  in  the 
State  of  ^lassachusetts,  Avhere  the  river  St. 
•lohn  separates  the  I'liited  States  from  the 
British  province  of  New  Brunswick.  No 
resistance  was  made,  nor  could  be,  effect- 
ually, by  Major  Putnam,  of  the  40th,  a 
Massatdiusetts  United  States  Ilegiment, 
with  a  garrison  of  less  than  sixty  men,  in 
a  fort  (d"  six  guns.  JMr.  Benjamin  Crown- 
inshield,  a  rich  and  patriotic  citizen  of 
Massachusetts,  soon  after  appointed  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy,  happening  to  be  there, 
olfereil  his  services  to  assist  Major  Putnam 
to  defend  the  fort ;  but  tiio  two  hundred 
and  fifty  militia  of  the  Island  had  not  been 
prepared  to  repel  such  an  attack ;  and  even 
if  they  could,  there  was  no  option  liut  to 
suffer  the  British  to  take  possession  of 
Moose  Island,  on  which  Eastport  stands,  a 
small  territory  of  four  miles  by  two,  sur- 
rounded by  water,  convenient  for  smug- 
gling, and  frequented  by  both  English  and 
American  interlopers,  Avho  abound  wher- 
ever boundaries  of  either  Avater  or  land 
encourage  their  depredations  ;  Avhieh  petty 
treason  is  inseparable  from  hostile  fron- 
tiers. Jlesponsible  persons  of  Boston  coun- 
tenanced, if  they  did  not  sliare,  ill-got  gains 
with  hiAA'-breakors  there,  avIio,  from  the 
imposition  of  the  embargo,  and  throughout 


vvi;;'   ;Y 


^:a,V: 

■.^ 

m 


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IIm 

1 

p-'i 

1 

Hi. 

1 

p' '■ 

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fe  >.  ■ 

w 

H^ 


Mr 


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no 


CASTIXE  CAPTUREn. 


[1R14. 


mic('(>ss"ivo  stii^fs  (if  a  ro-itrictlvc  syst(Mii  to 
lircvciit  Will".  !is  liiwycrs,  mcrcliantu,  jurors, 
1111(1  piM'liiuis  iniiu;istrMl('K,  tiliiinst  witlioiit 
ilisiiiuisc  iiiciilcalc'l  tlic  ri;;;lit  ot'  resistance 
to  M'liat  AV(>re  (leiioiniiiiiteil  arliitrarv  ami  iii!- 
eonstilutioiial  acts  or('oii;i;ress,  dictateil  li_v 
iisiir|tatioiis  of  I'resideiits.  In  thtit  way  the 
eastern  coniniiniityw<'reinove(l  onward  from 
aiiti-l'ederalisMi  t"  inisilciiii'aiior,  iireaclied 
from  llie  iuil|iit,  ■  claimed  at  tlie  Imstinjus, 
jonrnalized  hy  tlie  jirc'ss,  ar,i!;iied  in  tlie 
courts,  ami  r(>solved  liy  the  jjovernment,  ex- 
ecutive, le^'islati\(>,  and  judicial.  TakiiiE; 
]iossession  of  Mastiiort  and  Moose  Island, 
to;:;(>ther  with  Allen's  and  Fre(lerick's  Is- 
lands, so  that  all  th(>  islands  in  that  hay 
were  snliject  to  Hritisli  rule,  the  enemy 
estaMislc'd  a  j^arrison  there,  increased  and 
imi>rov(Hl  the  t'ortilications,  and  otherwise, 
in  all  respects,  made  arra'i!j;ements  for  per- 
manent  occnpation  of  the  con<ia(>st  as  an 
immediate  arsenal  of  Hritish  supplies,  and 
.'in  ultimate  part  of  IJritish  territory 


(ieneral  Sir  John  Sherlirool<e,  with  lloar- 
A<lmiral  Edward  (Jritlith,  pmceedinj^  with 
a  small  land  force  under  (Ieneral  (ienird 
(iosselyii,  arrived  at  Castine.  The  day 
hefore,  heinj;  informed  hy  Cajitain  I'earso 
of  tii(^  Kitleniiin  sloop-of-war,  with  wliom 
they  fidl  in  at  sea,  that  the  Adams  frigate 
liad  pit  into  the  l'enoI(sc<it,  and  fj;one  up 
the  river  twiMity-seven  miles  ahov(!  Castine, 
to  Hampden,  instead  of  takinj;;  iMachiax, 
as  intended,  they  resolved  to  proceed  nt 
onc(!  to  cajituro  the  Adams.  Captain 
Charles  Morris,  for  his  distinnnishecl  ser- 
viye  as  First-l/ieutenant  of  the  Constitution, 
had  heen  promoted  to  tiie  command  of  the 
Adams.  U(>turninu;  from  a  cruise  on  the 
coast  (/f  Ireland,  havinj;  captured  several 
prizes,  a»id  run  the  fjauiitlet  throuj^h  the 
nuiidierlcss  British  cruisers  Hwarminjij  the 
ocean,  attemptinji  to  make  Portsmouth,  sho 
struck  a  rock  at  Mount  Pesart,  j;;oinn;  at  a 
rapid  iiai-e  aniou!);  the  arcdiipcda^o  of  unin- 
haliited  islands  in  that  difficnlt  navif<;ation. 


On  the  14th  of  July,  Comniodorc  Hardy  j  After  at  (irst  mtikiiif!;  for  Castine,  when  the 
••jiostcMl  up  his  pro(damation,  calling;-  on  th(>  .Vdams  was  ;!;ot  olVthe  rocks,  Cajitain  Mor- 
'jieople  to  take  the  oath  of  alle<j;iane(>,  or ;  ris  deemed  it  better  to  sail  up  as  far  ns 
fheir  depaiture.  Ahout  threc-l'uivths  took  j  Hampden,  tliere  to  overhaul  and  repair  his 
tlie  oath:  a  custom  house  was  opened,  and  ,  vessel.  On  the  tirst  of  .Septemher  he  was 
't\w  American  depnty-collet'tor,  well  known  '  advised  Iiy  e.\]trcss  of  the  approach  of  the 
for  his  l'".inj;!is!i  ju-cl'ereuces  and  smu'i'iiilinj^  eneniy,  who.  on  the  wet,  dark  nijrht  of  the 
A'unnivan-e,  continued  in  that  placi'.  Wes- ■  secoml  of  that  month,  favored  liy  a  fresh 
ton,  a  r(>presentalive  in  the  Le/iislature  of  liree/.e,  arrived  witliin  three  miles  of  .Mor- 
M:issachtisetts.  Avas  appointed  jiy  the  l>ri- 1  ris.  led  Iiy  Commodore  IJarrie,  in  the  Sylpli 
li'^li  ciini(nerors  (diief  m:i;j;istrat(>  of  Castine.  and  Peruvian  sliiops-(d-\var,  with  a  trans- 
Some  poor  and  i'cuoraut  jiersons,  Mithout  port,  a  tender,  and  ten  1iar^(>s,  acconipa- 
tinw(U'thy  motives,  were  iMin->trained  hy  ne- '  nled  hy  about  thre(>  hundred  land  troops 
cessity  to  r(dini(uisli  tlieir  .Vmerican  citizen 
ship.  Too  many  (d'the  fifteen  hundred  in 
habitants  (d' .Moose  Island  had  lieen  ])re(!is 
posed  by  l?oston  juditi  :s  for  IJritisli  rulers 


under  Colonel  dohn ;  alto!2;ether  some 
sev(Mi  h.undred  il;:;htin;^  men,  s<ddiers  and 
seamen.  As  sckmi  as  apjirisod  (d'  dan- 
ger,   Captain    Morris    mounted   his    ij!;uns. 


As  th(\v  deserved,  however,  like  their  in-  some  on  a  commanding  einini>nce,  sidected 
strnctors,  they  made  iiotiiin.;!;  by  disluyalty.  '•  by  (ieneral  lUake  for  his  militia,  others  on 
.^!ost  (d'  the  olHces  v.ere  filled  liy  Enu;-;the  wharf,  commanding  the  river  licdow, 
!i«h,  whosi'  haldtual  rudeness  was  nut  ami  hasty  arrangements  were  made  for 
s:d'tenel  by  the  cont(Mii]it  displayed  for  liattle.  (ieneral  Blake,  summoned  by  Cap- 
.\mericaii  'denizens,  kept  under  martial  tain  Morris  to  his  reinforcement,  ap]U!ari'd 
law,  allowed  oiilv  parti:il  British  rights,  with  thrive  lu.ndre<l  and  seventy  militia. 
ex]iosed  to  privations,  indignities,  aiid  snf-j  But  their  destitution  of  arms  or  animnni- 
fering,  without  having  the  common  I'Ing- 1  tion  was  the  first  symptom  of  sus[)icious 
iish  and  American  privilege  of  complaint.  '  defectifm.  Many  of  tlu(  militia  were  with- 
llardy,  I'ilkingtou,  and  the  oilx'r  superior  j  out  muskets:  and  if  tiiey  had  had  mus- 
ofticiM's,  having  eomideti'd  their  arrange- i  k"ts  they  would  have  been  uscdess,  as  most 
numts,  withdrew,  leaving  (,'olonel  Antes  in  |  of  them  were  without  powder.  Captain 
command.  Morris  supplied  theni  from  his  ship  with 

Without  a  blow  struck,  part  of  Mas-  both.  The  s]>irit  of  the  men  Avas  not  bad. 
-sivduis(>tts  passed  under  the  Britisii  vidce  ;  The  neighboring  people  worked  with  cheer- 
and  so  remained,  without  tin;  least  resist- j  fulness  at  the  temiKU-ary  fortifications  prc- 
unce,  till  restored   at   the    peace.     It  was  !  pared.     The  crew  (d"  the  Adams  were  more 


the  (Uily  part  of  the  Inited  States  under 
undisputed  British  dominion.  'J'wo  fron- 
tier fortresses,  .Mi(diilinr.iciiiac  and  Nia- 
gara were  surprised,  captured  and  fircildy 
held  by  the  enemy  during  the  war:  and 
parts  of  Maryland  and  N'irginia  were  over- 
run ;  liut  Massa(diusetts  was  the  only  State 
that  ae((uiesc(Ml  in  smdi  subjugation. 
(.)n  the  lirst  of  September,   Licutenant- 


than  thi'eo  hundred  exccdhuit  combatants, 
W(dl  artm.'il  with  cutlasses  ami  pistols,  and 
skilful  at  great  gunnery.  Captain  Morris, 
and  his  lieutenants  Wadsworth,  Madison, 
Watson,  Parker,  IJeatty — in  a  word,  all 
his  force  were  men  tried  in  fre([uent  dan- 
gers. There  was  no  want  of  men,  of  nr- 
maments,  or  craii-age — of  means  to  defeat 
the  enemy,  liad  not  tlio  politics  of  Mas- 


[1S14. 

with  l{pnr- 
'I'lliii^  with 
nil  (icriird 

'I'lio    (lay 
nil)   l*('ar!<e 
rtitli  whom 
»iiH  frigate 
1(1  feline  up 
)V(?  ('astin(>, 
f;  Ma("liias, 
j)ro('(>o(l  nt 
Captain 
iiish(>(l  sor- 
)nstitiiti(in, 
ami  of  tho 
liso  on  the 
red  spvoral 
iroiif^h   tho 
inning  tho 
month,  nho 
going  at  rt 
j;o  of  nnin- 
lavigation. 
',  wli(>n  the 
ptain  Mor- 
as  far  as 
I  repair  his 
icr  he  was 
ach  of  the 
ight  of  the 
liy  a  fro.-ih 
cs  of  .Mor- 
tlu-  Sylph 
h  a  trans- 
,  accompa- 
ind  troops 
li(>r     ^oino 
il(li(^r,s  .and 
d   of   d an- 
il is   guns, 
0,  S(dL'oto(i 
,  others  on 
rer   Ixdow, 
made    for 
"'1  l>y  Cap- 
,  apjieared 
ty  militia. 
■  ainninni- 
suspiei(nis 
.vere  witii- 
had  mns- 
<s,  as  most 

('af)tain 
ship  with 
s  not  bad. 
rith  clieer- 
tions  pre- 
ivere  nnn'o 
mhatants, 
istols,  and 
in  Morris, 
Madison, 
word,  all 
nent  dun- 
on,  of  nr- 
to  defeat 
I  of  Mas- 


TIIE  ADAMS  DESTROYKD. 


m 


Ciur.  v.] 

— ♦ — 

saclmsetts    perverted    the    generals,    and  I  (Mpitato    eseajie,    Ciijitaln     Morris    ordered 


morally  disarnn^d  Hk;  men  a',  (ir  ;t  notariinMl 
with  weapons,  never  Avitli  •  lir(>,  M'itli- 
(iiit  wlii(di  that  of  the  1'  is  in  vain. 
Th(!  British  ollicial  aeeouii  -.f  American 
misconduct  tlnM'e,  the  best  testimony,  allbrd 
deplorabh;  materials  i'or  American  history. 
Tlu!  people,  till!  navy,  the  small  detachment 
of  army  there,  all  behaved  v.ell,  (!.\ce|)t  the 


liieiiteiianl  AV.idsworth  to  spike  iiis  ciuiiimi 
and  retire  across  the  bridge  behind.  At 
the  same  moment  ordc^i's  were  given  to  iin; 
tli(;  shi]),  s])ike  the  guns  of  the  wharf  bat- 
teiT,  and  join  the  retreat  across  tiie  ereek. 
IJei'ore  wU  this  could  b(!  (bme,  IIk;  enciiiv 
had  gained  tlu;  hill  from  which  tin;  militia 
lieil:  and  it  was  impossible  ibr  the  seamen 


militia  leaders.  The  little  force  of  I'nited  I  to  reach  tlx!  liridge.  I'etrealing  in  IVont  o 
States  artilhirists  at  Castine,  nmnfiilly  r(;- 1  their  assailants,  lliey  jiliinged  through  tho 
fused  to  surrender,  not  thirty  nuMi,  Avlien  cree'c  and  escaped  towards  Ibingor,  thence 
surrounded  and  summoned  by  several  hnn- ;  fartlair  into  the  int(>rior  of  a  region  then 
dred.  They  lired  their  cannon,  blew  up  the  i  thinly  inhabited.  As  it  was  iKit  practicable 
fort,  and  oarritid  oil'  two  snniU  brass  guns  |  to  subsist  a  body  of  three  hundred  num  to- 
with  their  carriago.s.  |  gether  in  those  wilds,  Cajitain  Morris  or- 

After  nnist(!ring  (,'astine,  the  enemy  pro-!  dered  them  to  .separate  and  mak(!  the  best 
ceeded  to  JJ(dfast,  which  they  left  oecupiiHl  i  of  their  way  to  Portland.  J5(;fore  many 
by  Major-(i(;neral  (losselyn.  A  strong  days  those  children  of  the  ocean,  mostly  uii- 
]>arty  of  militia  assembled  in  the  road  fmr  ,  manageable  ashore,  performed  a  jiilgriniage 
miles  from  Castine,  called  tugctlier  by  the  '  of  two  hundred  lailes  to  that  i)laee,  wlu-re 
alarming  tidings  ;  [mt  sheeji  w  itliout  a  she])- ;  every  man  joined  his  commamler,  at  a  time 


herd,  if  not  indeed  ordered  to  retire,  they 
dispersed  before  tho  enemy  r(>aelied  them. 
On  Sunday,  the  2d  of  Sc|itember,  when  re 


when  desi-rtion  fnjm  the  Uritish  navy  was 
so  rife  that  hardly  a  boat's  crew,  though  well 
oilicered,  could  bo  trusted  to  any  distance. 


ligl(ais  worship,  biisides  alarm  of  invasion,  |  Such  was  the  moral  superiority  explaining 
brought  all  the  jieople  together — on  their  ^  constant  victory,  which  IJritish  wounded 
way  to  Hampden,  (ieneral  Sherbrooke  and  |  y.v'uh'  referred  to  so  nuuiy  unfounded  phy- 
Admiral  (iriflith,  eighteen  mihfs  above  C'as- 1  sieal  causes. 

tine,  at  .1  small  ]daco  which  they  called  |  Commodore  Earrie,  the  naval  command- 
IJiiekstone,  tested,  if  not  already  aware  of,  ;  rr,  whose  barges  had  not  been  in  action, 
the  defection  of  the  priiudjial  inhabitants,  joined  Colonel  John  in  ]airsuit  of  the  mi- 
whose  town  they  threatened  to  destroy  un- i  litia,  ilying  at  full  sp( cd  and  pursued 
less  the  two  brass  guns  and  carriages  car- 1  toward  Jiangor,  by  water  and  land:  but; 
ried  from  below  and  concealed  there,  were  |  they  w(>ro  too  nimble  for  us,  said  the  coni- 
delivered  u]i,  which  demand  was  instantly  I  modore's  (aitting  sarcasm.  "  At  Uangor, 
complied  with!  At  daylight  on  the  nujr-  those  who  opposed  us  at  Hampden  threw 
ning  of  the  ,'!d  of  Se])tember,  the  fog  so  ^  off'  their  military  character,  and  as  magis- 
thick  that  it  was  imjiossible  to  reeonnoitcu-,  trates,  select  men,  &e.,  stopped  all  pursuit 
tho  British  by  land  and  water  advanced  '  by  uneonditional  surrender."  Disgrace  of 
upon  what  they  understood  W(;re  fourteen  \  American  arms  did  not,  however,  end  ther(>. 
hundred  American  militia,  whom,  as  the  i  "  About  two  hours  afterwards,"  adds  the 
mist  cl(>ared  away,  about  seven  o'clock,  i  commodore,  "  15rigadier -(ieneral  Blake 
they  saw  \,ell  posted  on  advantageous  p.o- i  came  into  tho  ttjwn  to  deliver  himself  up 
sitions  in  front  of  the  town,  widl  armed,  a  prisoner,  and  with  one  hundred  and 
and  most  of  the  men,  proljably,  well  dis- j  ninety-one  nu^n  was  admitted  to  parole." 
posed  for  battle.  CJeneral  Blake  had  re- 1  Tlu^  commodore's  ofiicial  disjiatch  state>! 
eeived  a  reinforcement  of  three  eompanies;  I  that  the  English  loss  amounted  to  one 
the  neighboring  towns  aboumled  with  able- 1  man  killed,  one  captain  and  seven  privates 
bodied  men  ;  though  the  number  engaged  |  wounded, 
was  not  j)robably  as  many  as  the  British  ;      Adjutant-Cicneral   I'ilkington  was   then 


reported.  Ijiit  it  was  enough  to  defeat  them 
if  h(!aded  liy  well-disjiosed  commanders. 
No  impeachment  of  the  nuMi's  coui'age  is 
necessary  if  their  commanders  deemed  it 
wronn;  to  fiicht.    As  soon  as  the  British  land 


despat(died  to  siibdre  Machias,  the  only 
remaining  uncon(juered  jilace  of  that 
region.  Setenty  men  of  llie  forticith  regi- 
ment of  the  United  States,  with  thirty 
militia,  in  the   fort  near  ^lachlas,  evacu- 


troops  approached  (jleneral  Blake  on  the  i  atcnl  it  in  the  night,  al>andoning  their  co- 
hill.  Lieutenant  Wadsworth's  battery  there,  |  lors  and  guns;  the  town  was  taken  on 
and  Captain  Morris,  on  the  wharf,  de])endent ;  the  Oth  Septemlicr,  not  only  witliout  oppo- 
entirely  for  proteetiou  in  flank  and  rear  on  sition,  but  jairsuant  to  Brigad-ev-(u'ncral 
Cieneral  Blake's  connnand,  that  cmnnmnd  ^  dohn  Brewer  commanding  the  district's 
retreated,  dispersed,  and  fled  in  great  eon-  j  unconditional  surrender.  By  a  Avritten 
fusion,  without  an  ett'ort  to  jtrevent  the  mise-  \  ])roposal  to  the  British  connnander  lb-ewer, 
rablcrout,  which  loft  the  seamen  entindyun-    i)eeause  forsooth  there  was  no  hope  thiit  an 


covered  on  all  sides,  with  nothing  ])ut  their 
boarding  pikes  and  cutlasses  to  rely  upon. 


ad(>i|uate  force  would  be  furnished  by  the 
United    Slates  to  protect  the   country  ]h\- 


V.  y~\  ■■; 


» w,       ■  • 


::il 


•hi 


A 


Having  the  hard  choice  of  captivity  or  pre- ;  tweou  the  Pcuobscot  and  Puasianiarjuuddy. 


"XC^ 


I 

f 

1 


^1 


118 


COXQUEIIED  TEIIRITOIIY. 


[1814. 


V  *  • 

3" 

p 

H; 

\\: 

■'*■ 

11 

Si 

1 

f  J; 

1 '  1 

-^' 

.'1  ■  '•  ■ 

•1 

>,  ■■■ 

■" 

■'i. 

1 

.'■   " 

« 

'I 


ofTcvotl  Ills  parolo  nml  tlint  df  his  liviji;ii(lo 
not  to  lii'iir  arms  diiriii'j;  tin-  war,  iiiion  fon- 
'litioti  that,  wliili'  tlicy  I'oiisidi'r  tlicinsclvcs 
uiidcv  till'  IJritisIi  frovcvTiinent,  thrir  jirivatc 
jirojKM'ty  sIiDiild  )i(>  safi',  nrnl  tlicir  usual 
<iccuiiatious."  "  Tlio  iiilialiitants,  "  .^aid 
Admiral  (iritiith's  oflicial  dispatcli,  "of 
i-dvcral  towii^diips  liavo  scut  <l(>|iutations  to 
< 'iistiuo,  to  tender  their  submission  to  the 
IJritish  authority."  "  l{ri;j:aili('r-(icn(>ral 
Brewer,  who  commanded  the  militia  in  this 
district,  and  some  other  i-espectaMe  per- 
sons," saiddeneral  Sherhrtxikc's  dispatch, 
"has  sent  a  letter  to(ienoral  Pilkinjuton, 
and  next  day  was  appointed  to  receive  those 
•gentlemen  and  acce^it  their  terms."'  "  The 
county  of  "Washinjrton  has  passed  nntler 
the  dominion  of  his  Dritannic  majesty. 
This  accession  of  territory  wrested  from 
the  enemy  embraces  about  one  hundred 
miles  of  sea  coast,  and  includes  that  inter- 
mediate tract  of  country  which  separates 
the  province  of  Xow  Urunswick  from  Lower 
Canada." 

Our  narrative  is  relieved,  bj-  these  British 
accounts,  from  selection  of  terms  to  charac- 
terize this  suliju^^ation,  which  remained  in 
IJritish  possession  till  the  *27th  A]n'il,  1S15, 
when  restored,  pursuant  to  the  Treaty  of 
(Jhent:  but  by  the  Treaty  of  Washin^!,ton, 
signed  by  Mr.  Webster  with  Lord  Ashbiir- 
ton,  in  Aiiirnst,  1S42,  there  was  sulistituted 
for  tlie  conquered  vallej-  of  the  Penobscot, 
a  hirger  and  more  convenient  dislocation 
of  ancient  ^Massachusetts,  as  "  an  inter- 
mediate tract  of  country  separating  the 
province  of  Xew  Brunswick  from  Lower 
Canada,"  in  the  very  terms  of  its  original 
military  conr(ueror.    • 

On  tiie  21st  of  .September,  1S14,  returned 
to  Halifax  .Sir  John  .Shorbrooke,  with  Kear- 
Admiral  (iriffith,  issued  their  joint  procla- 
mation for  the  government  of  that  part  of 
the  United  .States  as  British  conquered  tei*- 
)'itor\-,  observing  the  established  reguhitioiis 
and  formalities  on  such  occasions.  The 
whole  people  were  disarmed,  and  requii'ed 
to  swear  rllegiance  to  Great  Britain  or  re- 
tiro  from  their  homes:  in  other  respects 
not  moli'sted,  but  jtroteoted  in  their  pro- 
jierty,  business,  and  religion.  Provisional 
government  ostaldished  by  the  conf(uerors, 
was  maintained  ))y  martial  law,  subject  to 
such  ulterior  iierinanent  arrangements  as 
tiio  liritish  government  might  order,  or  a 
treaty  of  peace  stipulate.  All  judicial  of- 
lieers  were  continued  in  their  functions, 
;idministering  municipal  law,  as  before  the 
conquest  of  the  territory.  General  Gerard 
Gosselyn  was  appointed  the  military  com- 
mander. All  re\enue  and  tax-gatherers 
Avorc  to  account  to  the  English  custom 
honse.  All  inhabitants  swearing  allegiance 
were  promised  prot(K'tion,  or  threatened 
with  punishment,  as  they  kept  or  broke 
tliat  oath.     S(;a  vessels  were  to  be  register- 


was  declared  the  port  of  entry,  and  opened 
to  all  lawful  British  commerce. 

li(S(dutions  of  the  legislature  applaud- 
ed the  governor  for  what  "he  had  done 
to  defend  the  State,  and  the  militia  for 
their  alacrity,  discipline,  the  good  condition 
of  their  arms  and  e((uipmeiits,  and  earnest 
determiiiatiim  to  defend  to  the  last  extre- 
mity their  native  soil  at  all  hazards ;"  which 
mockery  of  the  governor  and  of  the  un- 
armed militia,  unprovided  with  either  mus- 
kets or  powder,  whoso  officers  led  them  to 
flight  at  tile  first  glimpse  of  the  enemy,  and 
when  they  had  escaped  by  flight,  voluntarily 
returned  to  surrender,  was  carried  still  far- 
ther by  a  speech  of  a  senator,  named  Blake, 
who  said  "  he  hoped  to  (iod  the  State  Avoiild 
rise  in  opposition  to  the  general  govern- 
ment; it  was  time  to  break  oflF  all  inter- 
course with  the  republic;  he  hoped  befoi'O 
the  legislature  rose,  the  season  for  action 
would  come ;  ho  was  ready  to  change  our 
constitution  for  that  of  Great  Britain,  mo- 
narchy and  all."  The  Centinel  newspaper, 
published  at  Boston,  stated  that  "Major 
Putnam,  Captains  Pillebrown  and  Varnum, 
arrived  under  parole  from  Eastport,  speak 
higlily  of  the  good  conduct  of  the  British 
regiment  there,  so  abused  by  the  Virginians 
for  their  reputed  misconduct  last  year  at 
Hampton.  All  alarm  at  Eastport  has  sub- 
sided. Commodore  Hardy  has  assured  the 
inhabitants  that  the  expedition  had  only  in 
object  the  capture  of  Moose  island,  which, 
he  repeats,  belongs  to  his  royal  master. 
The  soldiers  behave  remarkably  well  there; 
yet  this  is  the  corps  said  to  have  committed 
such  outrages  at  Hampton."  The  New 
Uedford  Gazette  published  that  "a  report 
was  current  in  Xew  York,  a  few  d.ays  since, 
that  this  town  had  been  burned  by  the  Bri- 
tish. It  appears  that  the  story  originated 
in  Providence,  Ivliodo  Island.  As  the  ad- 
ministration harpies  have  lately  renewed 
their  elforts  to  render  the  war  pojiular,  it  is 
not  unlikidy  this  story  was  fabricated  with 
a  view  to  excite  a  spirit  of  irritation  against 
the  enemy."  Wlien  the  4th  of  July,  1814, 
was  celebrated  at  i>orchester,  where  Wash- 
ington commanded  in  1775,  one  of  the  sen- 
timents drunk  was  "our  country  united  (to 
Britain)  and  happy  till  the  pestilence  of 
democracy  poisone(l  and  blighted  it."  On 
the  2'2d  of  September,  1S14,  the  Salem  Ga- 
zette proclaimed  "as  indispensable  to  self- 
preservation  that  a  State  deserted  by  tho 
general  government  should  reimburse  itself 
by  retaining  the  amount  of  imposts,  taxes, 
and  procci'ds  of  cajttures  within  tho  State 
that  might  have  gone  into  the  national 
treasury,  exchange  the  prisoners  of  war 
kept  in  the  .State  for  such  of  her  own  citi- 
zens as  were  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
invito  neighboring  States  to  a  convention 
of  alliance,  amity,  and  commerce,  make  an 
honorable  peace  with  Great  Britain  before 


1,  and  coasters  licensed  at  Castine,  which  ]  the  anti-co-innercial  States  do  it,  leaving 


1 


[1814. 
ind  opened 

0  appliiud- 
liiid  done 
militia  fur 
d  condition 
nd  oarnest 
last  cxtrc- 
Is;"  which 
i'  tlio  un- 
ither  mus- 
hI  tlicm  to 
nomy,  and 
roluntarily 
■d  still  far- 
nod  JJlako, 
tato  -woiild 
al  ft-overn- 
all  intor- 
lod  before 
for  action 
hango  our 
ritain,  mo- 
owspaper, 
t   "Major 
1  Varnuni, 
ovt,  spoak 
10  British 
'irginiana 
it  3' oar  at 
t  has  su))- 
'sured  the 
id  only  in 
id,  which, 
d  master, 
'oil  there ; 
omniitted 
rhe  NoAV 
"a  report 
ays  since, 
y  tiie  Bri- 
inginated 
s  the  ad- 
rcnowod 
ular,  it  is 
iited  with 
n  against 
dy,  1814, 
re  Wash- 
:"  the  son- 
nited  (to 
iience  of 
it."    On 
aleni  Ga- 
e  to  solf- 
1  by  the 
rso  itself 
H,  taxes, 
ho  State 
national 
of  war 
)wn  citi- 
cnemj'-, 
ivontion 
nako  an 
1  ])eforo 
leaving 


CuAP.  v.] 


JOHN  HOLMES. 


119 


could  1)0  seduced ; 


tlie  whole  burden  of  the  war  on  the  com- 1  or  thirty  out  i.f 

mcrcial  States,  and  by  those    means  free  j  towns  labored  by 

^lassachusetts   from   the  evils   oppressing 

her."     I'rom  such  foul  exhalati(jnH  of  dis- 
in])ored  pu1)lic  sentiment  arose  the  llart- 

lord  (Amvention,  tlius  ()))viously  indicated. 

On  the  lOth  of  March,  IS  14,  ni  the  same 

Salem   Gazette,    Timothy   Pickering,   who 

represented  that  district  in  Congress,  jnil)- 

Hslied,  with  his  resjiectable  name  signed  to 

the  sliocking  intidelitj',  "for  myself,  as  a 
J  meml)er  of  the   national  legislature,  I  do 

i  I  not  hold  myself  under  ivny  obligation  to 

"'  give  my  vote  to  redeem  the  paper  money, 

exchequer  bills,  or  other  loans  to  continue 

this  unnecessary  and  iniquitous  war."   The 

Endymion  frigate  and  other  British  vessels 

of  war  established  their  hospitals  at  Nan- 
tucket as  if  it  were  a  British  port,  while 

represented  in  Congress  by  Mr.  Artenias 

Ward,  sou  of   the  gent^ral  who  competed 
I  with  Washington  for  the  command  of  the 

American  army  before    Boston    in    1775. 

Mr.  Wilson,  who  lived  ni'ar  Belfast,  repre- 
sented in  Congress  the  Penobscot  district 

after  its  sidijugation  :  and  no  memlier  voted 

more  constantly  against  all  grants  of  money, 

men,  or  other  provision  for  war,  either  of- 
fensive or  defensive,  than  Mr.  Ward  from 

Boston,  and  Mr.  Wilson  from  the   north- 
cast  of  Massachusetts. 
The  hearts  of  the  common  people  of  Xew 

England  remained  American,  however  la- 
bored and  exasperated  against  the  national 

government,  still  steeled  for  resistance  to 

English  hostilities.     But  in  the  progress  of 

the  war,  its  privations,  exactions,  and  nior- 

tiiying  reverses,  the  party  oi)posed  to  the 

national  administration   in   possession   of 

tlio  governments  of  every  one  of  the  live 

Xew  England  States,  carried  unconstitu- 
tional and  delirious  ojtposition  to  tiio  verge 

of  forcible  resistance  )iy  authoritative  hin- 
drance, machination   and   contrivance,   at 

the  time  when  the  enemy,  tired  of  waiting 

for  New  England  co-operation,  assailed  the 

Eastern  States,  as  they  had  the  Southern 

and  Western  war  States,  with  devastating 

and  unmerciful  war;   and  then  it  Avas  that 

a  considerable  part  of  Massachusetts  was 

subdued  to  English  possession,  without  the 

sliglitest  resistance  from,  if  not  connivance 

of,  the  State  government. 
At  the  same  time,  in  1814,  there  was 

found  an   unlooked-for   champion   in   tlic 

Senate  of  Massachusetts,  in  -John  ILdmos, 

wlio  came  forth  from  among  the  opponents 

of  the  war  and  Madison's  administration, 

one   of  their   most   eh)quent  and  jjopular 

supporters.     Finding  that  government,  in- 
stead of  being  driven  from  its  ground  by 

Eastern  frenzy,  was   Btrengthoned   by  it, 

we  might  have  hoped,  said  Sir.  Ilohnes, 

that  such  futile  opposition  would  have  been 

discouraged.  Everything  inflammatory  and 

seceding  that  couUl  be,  was  done,  by  ilassa- 

chusetts,  but  to  no  purpose.     Some  twenty 


more  tlian  five  hinidred 
emissaries,  were  all  iliat 
of  them  the  jioor  li.-hor- 
men  signed  a  recantation,  declaiing  tli.st 
tiiey  are  not  oppressed.  You  boast  of  i'or- 
bearance;  bui,  you  forbore  only  beeau.-ii 
afraid  to  go  further.  You  cnniplain  nf 
Soutiiern  aggrandizement,  with  ten  mem- 
bers in  the  Senate,  an  undue  ]>roiportion. 
according  to  your  popidation.  Jlassaehn- 
setts  has  become  CvHitemplible,  a  by-wi^rd 
of  reproach.  Your  coiidiict  has  disgu.-ted 
the  i)eoide  everywhere.  In  tlie  groat  ^tate 
of  New  York  ilievhave  risen  agaim-t  your 
cabal  and  huvleJ  defiance  in  your  tccll!. 
Tiiere  is  among  us,  a  restless,  dui'iug  and 
aml/itious  faction,  who,  I  do  not  l.oitate  to 
proclaim,  prefer  the  British  government, 
iiHinarcliii  (Oid  all.  Your  ]!roc('ediiigs  are 
viewed  with  d(;testation  and  alihoirome. 
Every  outrageous  doctrine  of  Great  Britain 
1  have  heard  advocated  on  this  iloor,  [and 
here  Jlr.  Holmes  recajiitulated  tlie  ques- 
tions in  issue,]  liy  gentlemen  who  advise  us 
to  count  the  cost,  to  state  tlio  account, 
deljit  and  credit,  and  see  whether  we  can 
make  moiiei/\>y  it.  E\ery  right  is  estimtited 
in  money.  Sunpose  tlie  S(mtli  and  A\'e.-fc 
to  count  the  cost  of  our  fisheries,  and  give 
them  up  for  cheaper  supjdies  from  England. 
The  ocean,  you  say,  is  England's  exclusive 
domain,  and  you  would  give  her  c'""  " 
worse  line  of  frontier  for  us  than  she  gut 
by  the  peace  of  '83.  I  believe  she  may 
make  peace  with  us  on  the  assurance  that 
w(i  will  let  her  have  whatever  she  wants, 
full  of  her  partisans  as  are  our  public 
bodies.  We  are  under  French  influence 
forsooth !  But  now  that  France  is  under 
English  influence,  what  becomes  of  that 
al)surd  imputation?  Show  mo  tlie  nation 
that  for  twenty  years  has  not  been  barba- 
rous, inglorious,  in  yourahvays  English  pre- 
dilection, as  it  was  cither  oj)posed  to,  or  in 
alliance  with,  England.  You  tlesire  to  send 
Mr.  JIadison  to  Elba;  to  do  it  liy  foreign, 
I  suppose,  as  you  liaAO  failed  to  do  it  Ijv 
domestic  force.  The  Britisli  army  that  de- 
posed Napoleon  is  coming  tiiis  way  :  and  I 
am  not  sure  but  that  many  of  our  country- 
men, ho[)ing  for  restoration  of  the  old  order 
of  things,  finding  it  can  only  be  done  by 
foive,  are  rejoiced  at  the  prospect. 

On  the  2l)th  July,  1814,  at  <;enoral  Dear- 
born's reiiuost,  Govcri'or  Str(jng  issued 
orders  for  detachments  from  seven  oi'  tlie 
divisions  of  State  militia  to  remain  in  tlic 
service  of  the  United  States,  General  Blake's 
brigade  to  be  ordered  to  Castine,  and  Gen, 
Bi  awn's  to  ^Machias.  But  they  were  with- 
held from  command  of  the  United  State's 
officers;  the  cast  of  the  State  was  then 
alreaily  conquered,  the  few  militia  hastily 
coUectetl  there  had  neither  nniskets  nor  pow- 
der, their  commanders  set  the  first  example 
of  flight  and  voluntary  surriMider.  Shcr- 
brooke's  communication  throng''  Brewer  to 


■^ic;.' 


A"' 


120 


THE  NAVY  ABANDONED. 


M 


V 


If.* 

f 
I 


[1814. 


■iT''l 


;.;?»;■,  |: 


14 


l»'.t 


Stronp;,  'Bnnvor's  unconditional  siirrondor  to  ;  tlmt  national  vossd.     "  Tlio  navy,"  said  tiio 


I'ilkin^^ton  on  tlic  pretext  lliat  tlie  country 
Avas  unt  protoeted  \>y  tlio  fiMleral  {govern- 
ment, morliid  inaction  and  nnilcontent 
udinini.stralion,  witii  distempered  jjuldic 
opinion  everywhere,  consjiire  to  infer  tliat 
tlie  authorities,  civil  and  military,  of  Mas- 
Naidm.sotts  had  no  ohjecition  to  Slierhnx die's 
proposal  of  a  ]ieaceahle  restoration  of  tlic 
I'enobseot  Valley  to  (Jreat  IJritain.  Ac- 
oordin;i;ly  tho  IJritish  eonrpicror,  "conceiv- 
in,a;  it  if  importance  tliat  his  jjjovernment 
slionld  1)0  informed  of  sucli  successes," 
called  on.  tlio  admiral  fm*  a  vessel  of  war 
to  carry  tho  n(-ws  to  Kn<>;land.  AjuI  liis 
aid,  JIajor  Addison,  Avas  dispatched  in  the 
3Iartin  sloop-of-war  with  tlio  C(dors  of 
^iMassacluisetts,  to  Ijc  dis)dayod,  with  other 
tropliies,  in  the  capital  of  (Jreat  IJritain,  to 
the  indelihlo  dishonor  of  a  State,  the  only 
one  of  tho  American  llepuLlic  whose  con- 
stituted authorities  surrendered  part  of  it, 
top;other  with  its  llag,  without  contest,  to  the 
enemy. 

IMassachnsetts  had  military  annals  and 
glorious  recollections:  New  fcnjiland  inva- 
sions of  Canada,  Acadia,  Nova  Scotia;  cx- 
]n>ditions  toQue))ec,  Montreal,  t'apo  Breton, 
Crown  Point;  Massach\isetts  leading;  the 
way,  bearing  tho  brunt,  furnishing  most  of 
the  troojis  and  paying  most  of  the  charges. 
But  in  181-4  their  energies  were  spent  in 
disaffection,  their  politics  perverted  to  fac- 
tion, and  their  religion  to  politics.  Wlien 
their  (dd  enemy,  more  than  ever  vindictive 
and  devastating,  brouglit  war  to  their  doors, 
cold-blooded  party  and  government  disarm- 


rej)orfc  of  tlio  i\Iassa(diusetts  legishiture, 
"  IS  in  a  situation  ratiusr  to  imito  than  re- 
pel aggression,  ami  requires  protection 
instead  of  affording  it" — vile  abnegation, 
also  uttercnl  in  Congress.  AVIier(dbre,  tho 
Washington  was  deserted  liytlie  .State  pow- 
er, which  repudiated  all  care  of  that  na- 
tional bulwark.  Hull  hail  two  liundrcd 
seamen  at  Portsmouth,  where  there  wcro 
also  two  companies  of  United  States  artil- 
lerists, to  whom  two  companies  of  United 
States  infantry  were  added.  On  the  '2()tli 
May,  1814,  tlie  Governor  of  New  Hampshiro 
addressed  the  Secretary  of  War  concerning 
tho  militia,  who,  when  called  out,  ha<l  been 
expressly  ordered  not  to  serve  in  any  I'nitcd 
States  ])ost,  or  under  any  oificer,  military 
or  naval,  (if  tho  United  States.  The  go- 
vernor, according  to  tho  usual  anxiety  on 
that  subject,  desired  to  know  from  the  Se- 
cretary of  War  whether  such  militia  would 
be  ])aid  by  the  federal  government.  The 
Secretary's  answer  did  not  satisfy  that  in- 
rpiiry ;  whereupon  the  legislature  of  New 
Hampshire,  then  in  sessinu  at  Concord, 
resolved  by  large  majorities  to  disband  tho 
militia  called  out  for  defence  of  Portsmouth, 
its  important  harbor,  and  tho  ship-of-tho- 
linc  there,  on  the  sorry  plea  that  the  federal 
government  did  not  want,  as  it  would  not 
pay,  tho  militia;  Avho  were  not  subjected 
to  even  musters  and  inspection  for  the  na- 
tion ;  and  could  not  bo  emjiloyed  or  paid 
as  more  allies,  independent  of  one  and  tlio 
same  national  command.  Fortunatidy  there 
wcro  seamen  and  soldiers  of  the   United 


cd  a  martial  people  by  deadening  their  loy- 1  States  at  Portsmouth,  to  deter  the  appre- 
alty.     Yet  there  was  nothing  in  Governor   liended  attack. 


Strong's  speeches  and  oflicial  correspond- 
ence with  tho  national  government  so  »iro- 
minent,  pertinacious,  or  vehement  as  his 
insistance  for  pay  of  the  militia  ho  refused 
to  put  under  the  orders  of  that  government. 
Boston,  tho  cradle  of  American  independ- 
euco,  had  become  the  arsenal  of  political 
revolt  against  the  American  nation;  tho 
educated  classes  of  a  calculating  people, 
sacriliciiiK  their  intm-ests   to   their  proju- 


After  her  second  capture  of  a  British 
frigate,  the  ship  Constitution  put  into  Bos- 
ton, whore  her  commander,  Bainbridge,  was 
employed  to  superintend  pieparatioiis  for 
the  third  of  her  glorious  cruises.  One  of 
the  three  line-of-battle  ships,  tho  Independ- 
ence, was  also  built  at  the  Charlestown 
navy-yard,  in  charge  of  Commodore  Bain- 
bridge. These  vessels,  and  tho  Washing- 
ton, at  Portsmouth,  were  objocts  of  particu- 


dicos,  and  patriotism  to  bad  passions;  sceta-  \  lar  malevolence,  which  the  British  inen-of- 
rians  with  whom  it  was  diflicult  to  agree  I  war,  it  was  apprehended,  would  especially 


and  dangerinis  to  differ 

Of  that  distempered  condition,  not  of  the 
popular  but  educated,  and,  as  they  deemed 
iliemselves,  better  classes  of  New"  England, 
especially  in  the  seaport  towns,  there  were 
abominable  demonstrations  in  Boston  and 
1  irtsmoutli,  in  181-4,  more  hostile  to  tlic 
national  cause,  and  more  disgraceful  to  the 
local  powers,  than  tho  tamo  submission  of 
I'enobscot.  When  the  ship-of-the-lino  called 
Washington,  building  at  Portsmouth,  under 


strive  to  destroy.  Tlie  Independence  and 
Constitution  were  therefore  so  arranged  witii 
arinamonts  at  Charlestown  as  to  enfilade 
the  harbor,  in  case  of  any  hostile  attempt 
upon  it.  Cannon  were  also  mounted  Ijy 
Bainbridgo  on  batteries  ashore,  iialisades 
were  put  up,  a  chain  of  sentiiuds  kept  con- 
stantly on  guard,  and  every  preparation 
made  for  vigorous  defence.  The  militia  of 
Charlestown,  well  disposed,  and  of  ]?oston, 
though  not  so  much  so,  volunteorod  their 


ILi,:S 


tho  su])erintenderce  of  Captain  Hull,  was  in  ,  services  to  mount  guard.  Still  Bainbridge 
danger  of  l)eing  Inirned  by  an  assault  from  !  Avas  disquieted  Ity  the  large  number  of  Bri- 
tlie  numerous  Eiigli:ih  cruisers  on  the  coast,  I  tish  vessels  of  war  hovering  on  the  coast 
the  State  authorities  of  Now  Ilamnshire  i  and  off  tho  harbor.  Threats  of  destruction 
refused  to  co-operato  in  the  protection  of.  wore  notorious,  and  that  numerous  troops 


[1814. 


THE  FIIIOATE  CONSTITUTIOX. 


Chap.  V.] 

woro  providcil  at  Ilsilifax  iiiid  IJorniiida  to 
imt  them  into  cxciMition,  at  every  asnailiihle 
jioiiit.  I5aiiil)rl(l;i'e,  liimself  us  mucli  of  a 
I'titleralist  as  an  ofKcu'i-  ini;i;lit  lie,  no  adliei-eiit 
of  Miidiftiu's  ailininistratioii,  j)ereei ved  to  liis 
pn^at  rof^ret  tliat  the  state  ami  IJostoii  autho- 
rities were  move  tlian  tardy;  they  were  averse 
to  meas\ires  of  adeijiiate  dofeiiee.  As  tiie 
(hiiif^er  increased,  his  iineasiiiess  indtieed 
him  to  mal<e  olHeial  ajiplieation  to  tlie  adju- 
taut-j^eneral  of  tiie  state,  IJrooks;  liy  repeated 
hitters  eixU-avorini;  to  eidist  his  assistance, 
impart  his  own  w<dl-<;rounded  np|)relion- 
Hions,  and  rouse  the  h)cal  pride  as  widl  as 
four  of  danpier.  AVith  an  enterjirisinji;  ene- 
my ivt  our  threshoUl,  with  tiio  interests  of 
botli  state  and  <j;enoral  government  in  jeo- 
pardy, sliould  it  ho  a  ({uestion,  said  he, 
wiiieh  of  tiiem  sliall  reiiel  the  assault?  If 
tlie  enemy  enters  tliesc  waters  to  attack  th(( 
navy  yard,  both  Ciiarhistown  and  Boston  will 
ho  endiin;;;ercd.  I'ho  commodore,  therefore, 
entreated  the  adjutant-;:;eneral  to  confer 
with  the  goveriu)r  and  ascertain  his  deter- 
mination. To  this  apjieal  the  governor  and 
council  answered  hy  suj;f!;estin;>;,  that  the 
lnde)iend(>nco  and  Constitution  ouf^ht  to  be 
removed  beyond  the  furts  Warren  and  In- 
dependence, that  is,  abandon(Hl.  The  com- 
mittee, directed  by  the  State  executive  to 
make  that  shameful  su^j;'cstion  to  tiie  naval 
conunander,  insisted  tiiat,  as  the  ships  were 
national  projierty  only,  their  destruction 
oujjht  not  to  inv(dve  dani;er  to  the  town. 
Findinj>;  Uainbrid^je  not  only  inflexible  but 
indi<;iiant  at  the  base  su;;;]!;estion,  they  asked, 
what  Would  he  ilo,  if  the  Boston  aulhorilios 
should  withhold  all  defence,  )iy  which  nn>ans 
the  national  vessels,  like  Castine,  mi^jht  be 
captured  without  serious  resistance,  liain- 
bridp;e  n«)bly  replied,  tliat  the  ships  in  his 
care  ludonj^ed  to  thecounli'y,  and  he  woulil 
defend  them  to  the  last.  If  Boston  thou)i;ht 
jiroiier  to  suffer  bom])ardm(>nt  or  capture 
without  it,  as  ajipeared  to  be  the  desi;j;n  ui 
some  of  its  rulers,  on  their  heads  the  dis- 
p;raco  should  rest;  but  he  would  perform  a 
duty  which  ho  owiul  to  no  particular  admi- 
nistration, but  to  the  nation  and  his  own 
cliaraeter.  The  men  (shall  they  be  called?) 
of  iMassaehusotts  left  him  to  seiiarate  tiie 
national  cause  and  honor  from  theirs,  and 
as  h(>  told  them,  answerable  for  all  the 
terrible  conse([uences.  An  onterprlsinj!; 
British  officer,  a  favo'-able  wind,  a  dark 
ni^^ht,  tiie  accidental  rashness  which  sacked 
Washinijjton,  any  of  the  incalenlable  eon- 
tin^^oneies  of  war,  mifjlit  at  that  moment 
have  laid  Boston,  with  the  ships,  in  ashes. 
The  p;overnor  refus(Ml  (Jeneral  Dearborn 
militia  (sven  to  nnin  the  harbor  forts.  While 
the  invasion  of  north-eastern  ^lassaohusetts 
was  in  pi'o<i;ress,  as  before  describeil,  the 
summer  was  suffered  to  elapse  at  Boston 
without  a  sin<fle  steji  ))y  tlie  State  or  local 
authorities  to  defoud  tho  capital  from  con- 
quest. 


121 


I'opnhir  discontent,  liowover,  rose  to  tho 
hei^^ht  of  the  einerj;ency,  and  sei-onded  tlio 
naval  commandeer  in  prevcnitin;:;  the  sthcl 
and  rrspcrtiililc  men,  so  called  by  Slier- 
brooko  as  the  authors  of  tlie  surrender  of 
tiie  IVnobseot,  from  yieldiii;^'  tlie  national 
ships  as  the  State  towns  were  siirrendi-red. 
What! — said  i\w  people,  in  street^rou)>s  and 
accidental  communions,  at  a  time  when  there 
was  scarcely  any  business,  but  all  thoronj^h- 
fares  and  ]iublic  idac(>s  were  thron;;(Hl  with 
idle  and  anxious  wavfarers — what!  give  up 
the  (dd  frigate,  whuh  first  brought  down 
the  Knglisji  flag?  Let  the  enemy  burn  a 
ship,  cverv  timber  of  which  is  an  American 
trophy!  Murmurs  of  th(!  streets,  emotions 
of  tliothouglitless  but  faithful  mass,  tlir(>ats, 
and  signs  of  a  peoido  formidable  in  theii; 
outbreaks,  the  terrors  of  a  lioston  mob  se- 
conded the  constancy  of  Eainbridge,  and 
the  national  vessels  were  at  any  rate  left 
where  and  as  he  had  fortified  them. 

The  summer  wore  away  with  continual 
incursions  and  alarms  everywhere,  and  in- 
flamed accounts  of  hostile  enormities.  After 
the  capture  of  AVashington  and  attack  of 
Baltimore,  all  tho  cities  on  tho  Atlantic 
were  fortified  by  local  contributions.  l*ub- 
lic  meetings,  numerous  volunteer  encanip- 
ments,  and  universal  efforts  of  defence 
sjiread  over  and  around  the  whole  country. 
At  length,  about  the  period  of  tin;  final  con- 
(luestofl'enobceot,  the  inhabitants  (d'Boston 
generally,  of  all  parties,  roused  by  the  tid- 
ings of  general  resistance  and  the  urgency 
of  their  dangers,  overcame  the  disaffection  of 
their  ]nililic  servants,  ev(  ■  ted  redoubts  and 
lu-eastworks,  moored  hulks  to  bo  sunk  in 
the  harbor,  the  militia  garrisoned  the  forts, 
and  British  eontenndations  of  attack  were 
deterred  by  the  countenance  of  manly  pre- 
paration. But  for  this  national  and  sa- 
lutary reaction,  Boston  was  in  peril  of 
invasion  like  iMaiue,  all  the  constituted  au- 
thorities being  perverted  to  the  creation  of 
a  separate  so\  tn-eignty,  when  by  every  con- 
sideration reipiired  to  vindicate  what  they 
had. 

It  was  in  1814  that  the  blockade,  so  long 
withheld  from  Xew  England,  was  extende(l 
to  all  the  coasts  ot  the  Eastern  States,  tho 
marauding  ravages,  so  long  confined  toother 
] daces,  repeated  therewith  uncommon  vexa- 
tions, and  their  colonial  neighbor,:  ^■*"  '^'"va 
Scotia  ]n'oclainied  that  England  would  bo 
deceiveil,  if  she  relied  on  the  aid  of  IS'ew 
England.  The  Acadian  Ilecorder,  a  Halifax 
journal,  dejiroeatcd  "tho  avidity  of  search- 
ing after,  and  the  plea  •ire  taken  in  reading 
the  speeches  of  Governor  Strong,  with  tho 
federal  answers.  No  publication  from  tho 
AuKM-ican  press  has  so  fatal  a  tendency. 
The  English  reader,  finding  sentiments  .so 
just,  so  consonant  with  his  own,  swallowa 
tho  poison,  and  dreams  that  the  man, 
his  Senate  and  House  of  Assembly,  are 
friends  of  Britain.     Nothinj;  is  more  orru- 


'■■W 


,*.v:;l 


t'V'l 


'^,1 


^5 
.1 

*i|' 

i 


■i 

i 


122  NKW  ENGLAN 

— ♦ 
noons,     Miid'iMon   and   his   dcniocnitH   aro 
uiiwittinjriy  our   frionds,  and    tlin  olianj;!' 
tliat  would  |)ut  a  Strong  in  tlio  I'l-osidont's 
duiir,  -would  hi*  tiu!  fircatcst  evil  wo  could 
oxperionco,  not  IVoni  incrca^o  id'  forco  or 
talent,  but  tlio  federal  mania  which   has 
l»(!wilderc(i  our   sense,  and  paralysed  our 
arm.     Can  we  forget  that  Uoston  was  the 
cradle  (d'vehcdiion  ?     (.'an  we  imajjine  that 
•  tin*  jieojile  of  Massachusetts  havo  reiienteil  j 
of  tiieir  evil  deed.^?     AV'e  hope,  from  l>re-i 
sent  apjiearances,  that  the  federalists  will  i 
conio  in  for  a  share  of  alarm  on  the /arorall 
northern  coasts  of  the  United  States.     A\'e  i 
liavc  no  desire  to  know  the  destination  of  i 
our  ]M'eparations.     'I'o  the  rijsult  wo  look 
forward,  and  fervently  pray  it  may  ho  sue-  [ 
cessful."      Such   were    conunon    opinions  \ 
of  the  North  Amin'ican  IJritish  i)rovinces  | 
iidjoinins;  and  hatin<j;  Now  Knuland.     In  I 
the   same   Halifax  Kocordor   of  the   27th  ■■ 
Juno,  1S14,  a  sturdy  IJriton,  who  siijnod ! 
himself  "  an  anti-foderal  Kn;^lishman,"  in 
still  stronger  terms  of  indignant  depreca- 1 
tion  warned  his  government  against  any  i 
trust  or  faith  in  tho   ]iostonians,    at  that  j 
time  olijeets  of  l)<ith  American  and  Knglish 
repribation,       Tho    anti-federal    English- 
man's ire  was  kindled  hy  tho  Boston  atton- 1 
tiona  to  Perry,  presenting  him  a  sorvico  of 
})lato  for  '■  our  tirst  triumph  in  si(nadron," 
which  this  angry  Englishman  pronounced 
'  a  lie,  whether  on  metal,  canvas,  paper, 
tablet,  or  falling  from  any  lips:  a  deliberate 
lie  of  six  thousand  federalists  of  steady  and 
sober  habits,  professed  onemios  of  the  late 
French  emperor,  yet  more  given  to  scan- 
dalous falsehood  than  any  of  his  notorious 
bulletins.     Who  is  it  thus  exults  in  debase- 
ment of  Britons?     Not  our  sworn  enemies, 
the  democrats.     No  such  thing ;  but  our 
staunch  friends,  the  federalists ;  for  what  is 
Boston  but  tho  hotbed  of  A'deralism  ?     The 
democrats  only  amuso  ns  ])y  vaunting  their 
rabble  army.     Tho  federalists  provoke  our 
just  indignation  by  basely  calumniating 
our  navy." 

AViien  all  calculation  on  Now  England  i 
was  abandoned,  tho  British  ministry  re- 1 
solved  on  conquering  part  of  Massachusetts, ! 
and  no  portion  of  the  United  States  was 
more  severely  visited  than  tho  East.  A 
liighway  through  Maine,  from  llalifitx  to 
Quebec;  Canada  and  Louisiana  united,  as 
of  old,  by  tho  Mississippi  boundary;  tho 
fisheries,  exclusively  English,  Avore  among 
tho  dreams  of  transatlantic  ambition. — 
During  the  summer  of  1814,  tho  naval  vex- 
atio  IS  of  the  shores  of  tho  Middle  States, 
were  renewed  on  those  of  the  East,  with  all 
tho  legalized  rapacitj'  of  tho  British  mari- 
time code.  Smacks,  fishing  craft,  oyster 
and  clam  boat^;,  everything  afloat,  and  all 
assailable  ashore,  isolated  hovels,  the  huts 
of  watermen,  private  dwellings,  factories, 
salt  works,  were  attacked.  Towns  and 
cities,  navy  yards  and  bai-racks  wore  tUreat- 


D  ASSAILED. 


[1814. 


ened;  Barnstable,  Alexandria,  Salem,  Bos- 
ton,  Newport,  were  insulteil  and  alarmed. 
New  London,  on  the  most  frivolous  pretext, 
was  bombarded  fin*  two  days,  by  a  furious, 
harmless,  scMiseless,  and  salutary  cannon- 
ade. Jiords  of  the  ocean,  masters  of  tho 
World,  gentlemen  of  noble  tivmilii  s,  loaded 
their  lloating  barracks  with  plunder  of  the 
poor  and  non-combatant,  whose  hard  earn- 
ings are  sjiared  by  tlni  rudest  hostilities  by 
land.     Sirdeorjcc  Collier,  from  the  (pnirter- 


deck  (d'  the  friijcate    licander,  on 


Mst 


September,  1814,  sent  his  barges  full  of 
nu-n  ashore  near  Salem,  in  chase  of  a  fish- 
ing boat,  with  a  note  bearing  his  rank  and 
title  to  C(don(d  Apideton,  commanding 
some  militia  of  the  Cape  Ann  regiment, 
hastily  assembled,  threatening,  "  if  not  al- 
lowed to  examine  llu!  boat  which  he  be- 
liovod  to  be  a  fisherman,  he  Avould  destroy 
every  house  within  two  miles  of  tho  cove." 

Such  aggressions  made  daily  annoyancea 
of  tho  neighborhood,  whence  the  Essex 
Junto,  as  the  most  rancorous  opposition 
were  called,  sent  their  repres(>ntativo  to 
Congress,  'i'iinothy  J'ickering:  undeniable 
proof  that,  however  delirious  was  the  anta- 
gonism to  their  own  government  and  ol)SC- 
quicnis  their  a])idanse  of  the  enemy,  there 
was  no  criminal  undorstan<ling  betw(H,'n  tho 
British  and  most  of  the  violent  opponents 
of  tho  Avar. 

The  rugged  shores  of  New  England, 
with  their  thousands  of  inlets,  the  abiding- 
places  of  transcendent  navigation,  from 
EairHeld,  Connecticut,  throughout  that 
commonwealth  along  Rhode  Island,  tho 
whole  extent  of  ancient  Massachusetts, 
including  Maine,  all  the  way  i'rom  Eair- 
fi(dd  to  Kastport,  from  New  York  to  New 
Brunswick,  studded  with  bright  and  busy 
villages,  Avith  their  Avhito  chuivdies  and 
glittering  sjiires,  neat,  croAvded  school- 
houses,  ambitious  private  dwellings,  resi- 
dences of  the  staid  and  decent  gimtry  of 
an  orderly,  intcllig<'nt  and  polit(i  jiopu- 
lation,  keeping  strictly  the  puritanical 
Sabbath,  and  busy  in  all  ;iseful  arts,  Averc 
roused  from  slumber  and  distu'.Ded  at 
worship,  by  sons  of  tho  invaders  of  their 
sires,  avIioso  injustice  Avas  tho  tradition  of 
every  hamlet,  (!ome  again  to  harass  their 
coasts,  blockade  their  ports,  capture  their 
craft,  degrade  their  fiag.  impress  and  im- 
prison their  mariners,  and  destroy  the  coni- 

ercc  and  tho  privateering  by  whitdi  they 
were  enriched.  Pulpits,  courts,  legislative 
halls  Avhich  had  resounded  Avith  intem- 
perate British  apologies,  felt  British  inva- 
sion in  th(;ir  vertibules,  their  property  rob- 
bed or  ransomed,  their  Avorship  proianed, 
their  supposed  exemption  from  Avar's  cala- 
mities for  unAvorthy  enmity  to  felloAV-coun- 
trymon,  requitod  by  the  nocturnal  orgies 
and  merciless  hostilities  of  enemies  despis- 
ing and  punishing  all  Americans  alike,  es- 
pecially those  disloyal  to  their  OAvn  country, 


Cn.vr. 

and  I 

not  II 
coiinli 
belli 
the  p( 
sons, 
In 
tradit 
of  all 
sltion, 
tioii.t 
Avhiell 
En;, 
again: 
resolv 

AVitll 

the 
Conv 
Uni. 
A'criui 

h0AV( 

port 
out  re 
instill 
])eopl( 
these 
togetl 
sectio 
or  col 


[1814. 


!Lst 


CiiAi'.  v.] 


BATTLES  OF  PLATTSBUIKi. 


123 


and  (il)S('f(ui(ius  to  its  foes.  Party  could 
IK  it  iiiaki.!  I  ;'iid  a^^aiiist  hikiIv  «[ipi.'alH  for 
ooiiiilry.  -II  vain  tiio  imlpit,  tiic  Itar,  tlii) 
licncli,  tlio  j)(  litifian,  had  arf:;n('(l  a;;;ain.Mt 
tile  i"iiiiil;ir  ni()tiv(,',s  ('xcit(>d  hy  mudi  Ics- 
siins,  taiiijlit  hy  an  infuriated  enemy. 

In  tilt)  midst  of  these  eonllietis  and  eon- 
tnidietions,  all  tlie  constituted  authoritii's 
(ifall  NcAv  Hni^iand  lieinjj;  c()ni])in(Ml  in  oji)io- 
sition,  most  of  tiiiun  unconstitutional  ojiposi- 
tien,  to  tiie national  j^ovcrnmeiitand  tliewar, 
wiiieh  Kn;j;land  pros(>('uted  aj.';!iinst  New 
Kn;;hind  as  fiercely  ami  unwarrantaldy  as 
a.i:;aiiist  the  war  states,  imiiiy  individuals 
resolved  on  separate  ji,  ace,  if  not  alliance, 
with  the  enemy,  and  that  last  effort  of 
the  ci'.stern  anti-war  ]iarty,  tlic  Hartford 
Convntioii,  was  matured,  to  break  the 
Union,  without  forcildc  resistance,  (io- 
vernment  was  noAvhere  foreilily  iiindered, 
however  assailed  or  )ier|plexed,  hy  sea- 
port disaffection  striking!;  for  wealth,  witli- 
(ait  revolting;;  for  power.  Thei-e  is  a  i'unil  of 
instinctive  mother  wit,  pervading;'  common 
jM'ople.  continental  nationality  throuj^liout 
these  United  States,thath(dds  the ])opulation 
tojiethcr  beyond  the  power  of  individual, 
sectional,  or  party,  however  well  edueatcnl 
or  cuutrivcd  sedition.     The  situatiuu  of  the 


country  often  critic;-',  and  that  of  ;rovern- 
I  me;it  seeniin;;ly  desiieiati'  as   in   iMl  |,  in 
17V:i,  and    ITt^l,  riirhts    itself  as    it  wiro 
proviih'Utially.      IJritisli    seemin;;    mi;;iit, 
'  and    American    apiirchended    inability,   in 
'  collision  and  contrast,  strike  American  tri- 
umphs from  such  conjunctures.     Am(  lican 
tality  abides   in   the   seiisie   of  individual 
anil  universal  Hovereij;'iity,  the   elasticity  (d' 
republican  inde|iendeiice  and  recuperation 
of  s(dl'-j;overnm"nt.       hnriii!;'    the    war   in 
,  iSl  I,  there  were  inl'uriate  partisans  who  de- 
sired our  discomliture,  numbers  w'  o  ]ire- 
I'ernMl  sellish  ;iaiu    to   f':cneral  wcdfare,  and 
a  lar<i;e  party  inclineil  to  make  almost  any 
peace,  rather  than  let   another  party  wa;;o 
,  any  war.     J5ut  few  avIio  would  have  joined 
!  the  Kiijilish    ill   arms,  and  hardly  any  who 
'  did  not  prefer  republicanism  to   monarchy, 
!  which    had    few   admirers,    and    Kn;^land, 
:  with  nniny  admirers,  I'ew  adherents.     The 
!  Kastern  disallinjtion  of  leading;  iioliticians 
was  too  sellish  for  the   body  of  the  people, 
who   shrnidv    I'riau    rebcdlion.      Threats  of 
disunion  renmined  so  lonj^  uncxecntiMl,  that 
Knji'land  ceased  to  r(dy  on  New  Kn,ii;land, 
■  whom  another  eamjiai^n  would  have  pro- 
bably found  carryiuji;  on  the  war  like  the 
'.  rest  of  the  cuuutry. 


CITArTKR  VI. 


BATTLES  OF  PLATTSnUllG. 


W 


From  the  ijj^nonxiniouH  and  suspicious 
surrender  of  th(!  i'enobscot,  one  of  the  most 
dishonorable  events  of  the  war  and  Boston 
treachery,  tho  transition  is  pleasant  to  the 
twin  battles  of  IMattsburnj  by  land  and  wa- 
ter, anions;  its  most  glorious  exploits,  and 
the  naval  victory  presentinn;  not  only  a 
liiffhly  cdifyiuf;  view  of  tho  morals  of  the 
American  navy,  but  probably  tho  first  stop 
in  a  <j;reat  naval  roforieation. 

The  fortune  of  war  was  completely  re- 
versed on  tho  Canadian  frontier  between 
the  years  181,1  and  1H14.  In  1818  our 
forces  on  Ontario,  Champlain,  and  tho  St. 
L.awrenee,  were  more  ninnerous  than  the 
British  ;  yet,  not  merely  ftiilcd;  but  shame- 
fully, in  every  attempt  at  conquest.  There 
seemed  to  be  something  in  tho  hostile  soil 
to  discomfit  Dearlxirn,  Bloomfield,  Pike, 
Wilkinson,  Chandler,  Winder,  Boyd,  Hamp- 
ton, Burn,  Boerstler,  Smythe,  Van  Ken- 
sellaer — every  American  ofticer  attempting 
to  carry  American  arms  into  Canada.    In 


I  tho   autumn    of  1814,  there    wore    about 

thirty -iive  thousand  British  regular.',  and 

I  nearly  all  veteran  troops,  there,  kept  in 

;  (dieck,  and  worsted  in  frcfiuent  and  severe 

encounters,  by  never  more  than  ten  thou- 

i  sand   American  troops,  count'ng  all  from 

Detroit  to  IMattsburg,  men  and  officers  in- 

i  experienced,  mostly  mere  recruits,  few  or 

i  none  of  whom  had  over  been  tricMl  in  bat- 

]  tie.    The  British  were  not  nu>rely  veterans, 

I  but  renowned,  fresh  from  Kuropean  cam- 

1  paigns,  completely  equipped,  supplie<l,  a;id 

;  corroborated  liy  recollections  of  recent  ex- 

'  idf^its,  tho  admir.ation  and  nnxster  strokes 

of  tho  world.     Five  regiments  of  the  lato 

arrivals  Irinn  Europe  were  sent  to  Drum- 

i  mond,  to  replenish  his  casualties.     A  bri- 

i  gade,  under  JIajor-Gencral  Kempt,  went  to 

I  Kingston,  thence   to   make  a   (lescent  on 

Sackett's  Harbor,   The  remaining  fourteen 

or  fifteen  thousand  mon  wore  concentrated, 

in  August,  between  lia  Prairie  and   Fort 

Chambly,  under  JIajor-Gcneral  do  Kottca- 


124 


PREVOSTS  ADVANCE. 


[1814. 


1^ 


I"' '  - 


r-r 


Imr^li.  Tlio  tliroo  hii^adcs  into  wliicli 
tlii'v  wore  (listi'iliiiti'il  were  iMiiiiiiiunili'il  )iy 
MaJoHicncriils  I'dWiTM,  Urislmiii',  iiinl  lin- 
Miisiiii,  with  (iciwral  IJjiviu's  as  Adjiitant- 
<!i'n('fal,  uiid  tin;  (iovi-riiitr-l iciwral.  Sir 
<iiM»r;j;('  I'rcvoMt,  conunaiKlcr-in-cliicr.  So 
larjcn  and  lino  an  iirniy  tit'  llritisli  troops 
had  reason  to  ho  oontidcnt  ot"  certain  suc- 
cess. To  tlio  fjenoral  ortler  of  univ(>rsal 
d(!Vivstation.  annoiinc(Ml  liy  Admiral  Cocli- 
rani'.  anil  in  ]iroccss  of  execution  every- 
M'here,  iVoni  l'iast|HPrt  to  New  OrlcMins,  was 
added  the  jn'oniisi'iious  retaliation  oi'  what 
I'revost  d(Miounce(l  us  American  a^iijres- 
sions,  besides  recovery  of  lost,  and  uc(|ui- 
siliiin  of  new  territory,  thus  makinp;  su(di 
impression  on  the  I'niteil  States  ns  would 
detiM'  them  fnim  future  hostilities.  To 
these  2;eneral  ]ivincipl(>s  of  warfar(>,  specific 
directions  as  to  Canada  added,  destruction 
of^  American  vessels  on  the  lakes,  and  fort- 
resses on  the  frontiers,  jiarticularly  the  mi- 
litary occu]iation  of  some  point  on  Lake 
Chainplain  to  secure  (.'unada.  The  con- 
rpiost  of  the  IVnohseot  Valley,  of  the 
outlet  of  the  Mississippi,  anil  of  posi- 
tions on  the  borders  of  >'eriiiont  and  Xew 
York,  were  Castlereaj;li',s  dreams,  Uritish 
Pchonies,  and  American  perils,  l^revost 
was  not  to  ]ienetrate  far  into  the  interior, 
l)ut  expected  to  maridi  as  far  as  Crown 
Point. 

As  soon  as  Cleneral  Izard  left  the  borders 
of  Champlain  with  four  thousamlol'the  best 
troops  there.   I'revost  made  arriint;-em(>nts 
to  attack  I'lattsburj;,  and  to  capture  that 
hindrance  to  his  advance  to  Crown  Point 
and  'J'iconderoi^a,  ancient  seats  of  British  j 
conrpiest  over  Americans,  and  also  as  a  de- 
monstration to  retard  Izard's  advance,  and  '< 
increase  his  avowed,  anpirily   avowed  ap- 1 
prehensions,  that  his   march   to   IJrown's  j 
Buecor    woidd     bo     interrupted.       "When- ! 
ever  he  went,  he  wrote  to  the  Secretary,  { 
on  the  11th  Anjiust,  1x14,  not  only  should  j 
ho  move  "with  the  apprehension  of  risk- : 
ins  the  force  under  his  command,  but  with  ■ 
the  certainty  that  overythinj;  in  the  vicinity  I 
he   left,   and   the   latcdy  creeted  works  at ! 
Plattsbnrj];  and  Cumberland  Head,  would,  | 
in  less  than  tliree  days  after  his  departure,  bo  i 
in  the  possession  of  the  enemy."  Nothinjjoc-  j 
curred  to  warrant  those  misapprehensi(»ns,  j 
the  ebullitions  of  temper  ratlior  than  fear,  j 
On  the  lirst  of  September,  three  days  after  j 
Izard  bepian  his  march  to  the  west,  I'revost 
put  his  army  in  movement,  not  to  interrupt 
or  disturb  Izard,  who  was  beyond  his  reach, 
and  would  hardly  have  been  disturbed  if 
ho  had  p;ono  directly  towards  the  St.  Law- 
rence, because  Prevost's  primary  object  was 
the  capture  of  Plattsburjj,  from  which  ho 
would  not  have   been   diverted.      I'as.sinp; 
the   frontier  at  Odletown  on  the  first  of 
September,   ho   advanced   on  the  third  to 
Champlain  town,  Avluch  was  abandoned  by 
the  Americans  on  his  approach. 


Ccneral  jNIacomb,  at  officer  next  in  rank 
toCeneral  Izard,  was  left  by  him  in  com- 
nuniil  of  that  i'ronti*'r.  Like  Izard,  war 
had  always  li(>en  .Ma<'omb's  vocation,  which 
he  had  followed  as  his  only  prol'ession  from 
th(>  time  he  entercil  tlu;  army  as  a  v(U'y 
youny;  lieutenant.  AVithout  Izard's  autho- 
ritative ton(>  and  manner,  jn'rhaps  his  in- 
formation and  decision,  his  exclusivt;  habits 
ami  un])opular  demeanor,  Macomb,  access- 
ible, sociabli>,  playful,  was  a  wtdl-trained 
and  industrious  soldier,  with  no  supercili- 
ous aversion  to  militia,  volunteers,  and 
those  irrejiiular  troojts  whom  izard  con- 
temptuously desij^nated  as  jicofilc  re(|uirinf; 
a  ])'>iiii/(tr  leader.  Macomb's  brigade  was 
broken  up  by  Izard  in  selectinj:;  his  men  to 
take  from  that  station,  where  he  left  only  fif- 
teen liundred  litfiu"  fi(dd  duty,  to  nniko  head 
aijcainstthe  liritish  fourteen  thousand.  Fall- 
ing back  tipon  I'lattslnir^.  Macomb  had  but 
a  few  days  in  which  to  prepare  for  tin;  most 
serious  attack,  as  to  disyiarity  of  numbers, 
ever  made  on  the  Americans:  nearly  ton  to 
one.  More  than  three  thousand  rej^ular 
troops  were  left  by  Izard  with  Macomb,  per- 
haps twenty-five  hundred  of  whom  ini,!j;ht  bo 
rendm-ed  available  behind  entrenchments, 
but  not  more  than  fifteen  hundred  fit  for 
the  field.  Pursuant  to  authority  from  the 
(^X(>cutive,  militia  were  called  out  from  New 
i'<jrk  iind  Vermont,  aliout  three  thotisand 
two  hundred  of  whom  rejiaired,  of  all  ])ar- 
ties,  to  Macomb's  standard,  under  (icnerala 
Moors  and  Stronp;;  j;ood  troops  as  they 
proved,  as  such  troops  are  for  any  sudden 
and  defensive  operation,  esjKH'ially  when- 
ever they  are  jirotected  by  streams,  wofids, 
and  forts,  associated  with  regular  scddiers, 
and  comnmnd(<d  ]iy  a  leader  willin;j;  to 
make  the  best,  instead  of  inclined  to  nuvko 
the  worst,  of  such  indispensable  com- 
rades in  arms  in  nearly  every  American 
conflict.  IJesides  completing  his  entrench- 
ments, Macomb  employed  his  men  in 
harassing!;  the  enemy  as  they  advanced, 
and  preparinj;  by  such  apprenticeshiji  for 
the  contest  soon  to  ensue,  (ieneral  Izard 
had  constructed  a  redoubt,  which  he  called 
Fort  Moreau,  after  the  name  of  the  French 
general,  whoso  residence  at  Jlorrisvillo  in 
J'ennsylvania,  the  place,  at  one  time,  of 
(ieneral  Brown's  home,  was  not  far  from 
(ieneral  Izard's  seat,  Farley,  in  that  noijfh- 
borhood.  AV'ith  better  taste  in  patriotism, 
after  Moreau's  departure  from  this  coun- 
try, in  Euft'lish  pay,  by  Uussiau  induce- 
ment, to  nuvko  war  on  Franco,  (ieneral 
Macomb,  to  remind  his  troops  of  their 
brave  countrymen,  of  whom  lie  had  no  in- 
vidious feolin<!;s,  named  the  two  redoubts  ho 
constructed  Forts  Brown  and  Scott,  names 
dear  to  American  soldiers,  and  electrifying 
the  ardor  pervadinp;  their  ranks.  Generals 
Izard  and  Macomb  differed  much  as  to  the 
condition  of  the  jdace  and  troops  left  by 
the  former  to  the  hitter's  care,  who  found 


[1814. 


Cn.vr.  VI.l 


xt  in  riink 
III  ill  cdiii- 
Izanl,  war 
ii>ii.  \vlii(rh 
'•^ioii  I'nun 

iis  a  very 
'il'.s  authf)- 

is  liis  iii- 
sivo  liiiliita 

'ill,   lU'C'OSH- 

t^ll-tmiiKMl 
siipt'ri'ili- 
tciTH,   ami 
/.an]    con- 
'  V('(|iiinnj» 
•ijcailo  was 
Ills  men  to 
.'ft  oiilyfif- 
iiiakc  head 
^aiid.  I'all- 
nil  luul  )mt 
11"  tlu!  most 
lumiliors, 
ai'ly  ton  to 
111  ro^ular 
c'dinli,  per- 
il ini,!j;ht  Ito 
lU'liiiionts, 
li'oil  fit  for 
rniiii  tho 
'roni  \ow 
tliniisand 
(if  all  jiar- 
rfu'iicrals 
><   as   they 
iiy  sudden 
illy  wlien- 
iis,  wiindH. 
if  soldiers, 
willinij;  to 
d  to  make 
ilile    oom- 
Aiiierican 
en  trench- 
men    in 
advanced, 
iM^sliij)  for 
iM-al  Izard 
he  called 
iio  French 
I'isvillo  in 
time,   of 
far  from 
lat  neif^h- 
atriotism. 
his  coun- 
1  induce- 
(icnoral 
of   their 
ad  no  in- 
loubts  ho 
tt,  names 
sctrifyinp; 
Generals 
as  to  tho 
s  left  by 
10  found 


AMERICAN  rRKPARATIOXS. 

- — ♦ — 


125 


it,   ho   saiil.   In  preat  rnnfuMion,  the  ord- 
nance, the  stores,  the  works,  in  no  state  of 
defence:  the  ^^arrison  ciuiiiiosedof  coiivali's- 
eeiits  and  recruits  of  new  rejiiinents,  nn-  ' 
orjranized  and  nnfirepared  for  their  diilienlt  ! 
task.     To  excite  their  eiiinlation,  that  in- 
disiiensalile    spur  of  mankind  from  child- 
hiKid  toileath,  !Vlacoml»assin;ued  to  different  j 
parties  the  sejiarate  defenei-  of  the  several  ! 
forts,  declaring,  by  f;eneral  orders,  that  he  1 
relied  on  each  party  to  defend  his  particular  1 
cliar;i;e  to  the  last  extremity.     Major  Ap-j 
jdinfi  of  the  rifles,  Major  Wool,  now  (iene- 
riil   Wool,   Captain    .Spmnl,   and   (Jeneral 
Moers,  from  the  Oth  to  the  llth  .September, 
contested  every  inch  of  jirouiid  with  the 
enemy,  who  advanced,  nevertheless,  with 
irresistiiile    resolution,    in    overwlielminj; 
numbers,     drivin;^     the    Americans    into 
I'lattsburji;  before  them. 

The  militia,  in  the  field,  and  even  in  the 
woods,  often  timorous,  fled  at  the  h-iij;lit  of 
scarlet;  and,  as  that  was  the  dress  of  the 
New  York  drajfoons,  the  militia  sometimes 
ran  away  fronitlieir own  fellow-soldiers.  Jlut 
a  few  days'  practice  under  officers  who  jrave 
every  enconra;iement,  brou;>;ht  them  to  the 
Saranuc  river  better  disciplined,  and,  when 
on  their  own  side  of  it,  with  the  bridf^es  taken 
II)),  easily  rallied  to  resist  and  successfully 
repel  attem]its  of  the  British  to  force  their 
way  across  the  fords.  The  enemy  marched 
steadily  firward,  in  two  ]iarall<'l  columns, 
tliroiij^li  the  neinhborin;^  forests,  the  west- 
ern column,  led  by  (lenerals  J'ower  and 
Hdliinson,  on  hiij;her  j;;r(itind  :  th(>  eastern 
column  near  the  lake,  on  low  and  swampy 
j^round,  le<l  by  ileneral  l>risbane,  caii- 
nonailed  from  the  American  {!;unboats. 
manned  by  thirty-five  men  each,  armed 
with  a  lon;^  twenty-four  jioiind  {jun  and 
carroiiaile,  (uie  of  which,  the  Netly,  was 
cominan<led  by  the  present  Captain  IJrecvse, 
brother  of  the  present  senator.  Majors 
Applin;;;  and  AVool,  and  Captain  Sproul, 
were  indefati;;able  with  their  small  corps 
in  opposing;  and  harassinj);  the  steadily  ad- 
vancinn;  enemy.  IJut  every  road,  on  every 
side,  was  crowded  with  the  British  irre- 
sistible tronjis,  who,  by  the  7th  September, 
drove  all  their  opponents  under  their  laxt- 
teries,  and  beijan  t  erect  their  own  just 
beyond  the  Saranac.  The  bridge  over  that 
titream  was  taken  up  liy  the  retreatinp; 
Americans,  and  tho  ])lanks  jiiled  up  for 
breastworks,  which  enabled  our  people  to 
defeat  several  attempts  to  cross  tlio  river. 
IJritish  sharpshooters,  who,  from  the  bal- 
coi  ies  and  windows  of  houses  fired  on  the 
Americans,  were  driven  away  by  hot  shot, 
by  which  the  Americans  burned  their  own 
captured  dwellings.  Repeated  attempts  to 
drive  our  people  from  their  new  breast- 
works, to  force  the  fords,  or  otherwise  by 
any  moans  to  get  over  the  Saranac,  were 
constantly  defeated.  From  tho  7tli  to  the 
llth  September,  the  British  batteries,  and 


other  arraiigi'tnents  for  axsauU,  were  ci.m- 
plcted,  hiiwi'ver.  and  then  all  depend. ■(!  mi 
the  sliippiiig;  I'll',  witlmut  caiiiurini:  or 
destroviiig  the  .Vmeriean  llelilhi,  taking 
IMattsiiurg  was  fleeiiied  an  almost  useless 
con<|uest.  As  long  as  .Alcjioiiough  com- 
manded th()  lake,  I'revost  could  make  no 
exteii'iive  or  permanent  advance,  or  im- 
pression Avitli  tli(^  army,  large  as  it  was, 
and  prohibited  liy  orders  from  ha/ardous 
enter)irise  into  the  interior.  Meantime, 
the  militia  from  New  Vork,  and  from 
\'ermont,  poiireil  into  I'lattsburg,  so  that 
Macomb  was  sustained  by  a  regular  and 
irregular  forc(!  altogether  exceeding  siMcn 
thousand  men  in  arms,  well  disp<ised  for 
re-^istance,  and  admiralilv  commanded. 

The  s)ilendid  North  .\merican  autumn 
was  beginning  to  brace  the  pure  air,  tint 
th(!  forests  with  its  various  hues,  a/.iire 
the  bright  skies,  and  riifHe  the  clear  lake.-i 
of  that  region  of  beautiful  woods,  waters 
ami  hills,  every  knoll  of  which,  from  Mon- 
treal to  Saratoga,  was  the  (dassic  grounded' 
American  battles,  every  hut  full  of  tradi- 
tions of  th(>  old  French  war  and  the  war  of 
the  I'evolution.  The  Iramlets  and  villagi^s 
abounded  with  those  who  remembered 
(iates.  Schuyler  and  Arnold,  and  could  re- 
peat the  stories  of  Amherst  and  .Miererom- 
liie.  Arnold's  llotilla  at  Crown  IViint,  15ur- 
goyne's  surrender  at  Saratoga,  were  the 
theinesof  apopubitiiiu  (d'  lishermen,  m.'ti'ks- 
men  and  woodsmen,  iiiuied  to  adM'iilures 
and  hardships,  whose  frontier  ent(!rprises 
had  taught  them  the  stratagems  ami 
boldness  of  individual  hostilities,  'i'lie 
Saranac,  like  the  mighty  St.  liawrence, 
contravening  th(<  (lommon  course  of  Ame- 
rican rivers,  bv'  flowing  northeast,  empties 
into  I/ike  Champlain  in  the  midst  of  the 
town  <if  Flattsburg.  surroundeil  by  an  am- 
phitln^atre  of  hills,  who.>;e  distant  horizon 
reaches  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  (ireen  Mount- 
ains, which  give  their  name  to  the  State  of 
Vermont.  Natural  conli;ruration  condiined 
with  historical  recollections  to  embellish  the 
scene  of  the  approaching  battles,  memora- 
lile  as  probably  the  last  to  be  fought  be- 
tween Kuropeans  and  Americans  in  that 
region,  destined,  with  all  the;  Canaihis  and 
all  tJie  lakes  then  contended  for  by  (Jreat 
Britain,  to  be  peaci^ably  absorbed  by  the 
United  States  of  America. 

The  contestof  shii)  building,  so  long,  ex- 
pensively and  vexatiously  kept  up  on  Jiake 
Ontario,  hail  been  Avaged  also  on  Lake 
Champlain,  Avhc're  a  young  lieutenant  com- 
manded the  American  flotilla,  an  abortive 
attempt  to  destroy  Mhich,  by  the  enemy, 
has  been  mentioned.  The  IJritish,  as  usual, 
beat  us  in  Imilding.  Their  frigate,  the  (.'on- 
fiance,  of  37  guns,  Avas  finished  soon  after 
our  sloop-of-war,  the  Saratoga,  of  2G :  and 
they  were  able  to  go  forth  on  the  lake  with 
not  only  more  guns  and  more  men  than  wo, 
but  the  great  advanta^s  of  more  and  heavier 


'r.-^'; 

■,•'  i 

^M 

•  ^■^ 

/  .1.1 


1* 
IV, 

i 
I, '  i 


hi 


i 


.'t  :  • 


126 


CHAMPLAIX  StirADUOX. 


[1814. 


p;imM  un  tlic  ilmUs  of  onn  nml  tlio  dmiu'  sliiic    AiiuM'lciin  Hliip,  the  Saratojtix,  nx  to  li'uvc  no 


imt  only  iiiiirc  iiiiim'iMnis  ciimv*.  Imt  M'tcnii 
KciiiiK'ii,  iiiiinv  of  tluir)  fi'i'«li  fi'oiii  tlicir 
l;tr;;(<  .■^!ii|)s-iif-wiir  lit  (^ih'Ikm!,  (•(iiiuiiiiikIimI 
]>y  oIliciTs  of  irri'iid'i"  i-ximtIciu'i'  iluin  ours, 
nciirlv  till  of  till-  Ami'nciiiis  licin;^  iiiitricil 
in  iirtion,  (iinl  liiu  Inij;  tln'ir  pronf  nioliT  tiro 


iloiil)t  of  tlif  ciijiiii-ity  of  till"  Knj^li-li  vch- 
si'l  to  ovcrvvlii'lni  tin-  Aiiicricuii.  ('ii|ptiiin 
rixlicr  nii|ii'rinti<niliM|  tlii!  Ilriti<<li  n;i\:il  |irc- 
))anitions,  wliiirli  worn  iir;!;('(l  witli  tin-  iit- 
inoMt  oxpcditioii.  Ivirly  iti  Aii;;iist  ('(  ni- 
mnilon.'  Voo,  wild  ('on)iiiiiiiiloil  liotli   Liiki'S 


t'l  niiiki' !H  wi'll  iH  i'i'|(iitiitioii.  Oi\  till' ;'(l  of  (Mitario  iukI  ('Iminiiliiin,  whs  oalli'il  on  Ic,' 
Si'iiti'iiiKcr,  Coiiinioilorc  Mcl)oii(iii;i;li  (us  In-  tlic  ;;(ivi'rnor-;:;('niM'al  to  |)ut  tlic  ('liiini|il!ii'i 
\rn<  Hlyli'il)  nn'-lion-il  liis  siiiMilruii  olf  j  d'niwion  of  his  coniniiind  nmlcr  iniinciliutt' 
IMiittsljurir,  to  cover  llic  ontroncliini'nts  [  onlcrs  for  tlic  eontcniiiliiti'd  s('i'\  ii-c.  Then 
tlicrc.  'I'lic  AniDvii'an  slii|>]i'm,';  consisti'd  |  it  was  tliat  tiio  jealousy  iM'twceii  the  sea 
of  four  vessels  aud  ten  fC'in-hoatsor  1iarj;es,  and  land  <iffii'ers,  Neldoni  sleeping;,  l>i'^an  to 
iilto'.'otliev  fourteen  craft,  earryini;  1(12  can- ;  show  itself.  Yeo  answiTcd  I'revosi's  ini- 
iion.  nianii'Ml  liy  ,s.")0  men,  many  of  tlicm  portnniiy  that  tlio  Clianiplaiii  s(|niiilron  lunl 
not  sennien.  aud  their  inarines  siiitjdied  hy 
Noldiers  from  the  army.  The  Uiitisli  s(|ua<i- 
ivn  had  also  four  vessids,  with  t\V(d\c  j^un- 
biat.s  or  liarv;''s,  alto.';elher  i^ixteen,  car- 
ryinj;;  11")  gun 
mostly  tried 

iii'i-rs :  their  greater  numlier  of  thirteen  !  at  tiuel)ec,and('a)itiiin  Ijord.IaniesO'Jlrien, 
c  imiiius,  enhaiieed  liyeleven  of  thrni  lieing  I  who  instantly  sent  from  their  shins,  tho 
d  Ml  (aie  superior 


already  ni-aily  a  hundred  men  more  than 
its  complement,  and  hi'  sent  ('a|)tain  l>o\v- 
nie,  of  tlie  ship  Montreal,  to  take  th<>  |>lac(>  of 
Captain  Kishor,  wholuul  prepared  thes(|uad- 
!;uns,  and  niauucd  hy  lO'tO  I  ron  for  action,  J)isappoinM'dl)y  Veci,  thego- 
and  veteran   seamen  and  of-   vernor-gi'ueral  appln-d  to  Admiral  Otway, 


hip.     The  Ame-    Ajax  and  Wars[>ite,  tiio  refiuiroJ  su|)ply  of 
rs  w(>re  .Mcnoiioui;!!  in  the    experienced  seamen. 

Oil  the  ;!d  of  Septemhor  the  gun  boats  in  nd- 
vanceof  the  sipiadron.iinderCaptain  I'ring, 
acc(.mi)anied  the  army  as  it  slowly  ])roceed- 
ed  along  the  lake  waiting  for  tho  Viiiole  fleet, 


IDilUUt 

liean  commaiH 

Saratoga,  Henley  in  the;  lvigle,('assin  in  the 
Tieonileroga,  liiidd  in  tho  I'rehle.  The 
British  were  Dowiiie  in  the  Coiitianci', 
I'riiig  in  the  liinnet,  .MctJliee  in  the  I'liuhh, 


and  llicks  in  the  Finch.  'I'liat  jealousy  [  and  took  possession  of  J-a  Motte,  a  small  is- 
'\vhirh  seldom  fails  to  alienate  dilfereiit  land.  In  a  council  of  war  hold  hy  tlu!  Uritisii 
coi'ps  (d"  the  same  troops,  and  still  more  I  generals,  it  was  unanimously  risscdveil  that 
iir.'vaiN  hi'tweiMi  the  land  an<l  sea  service,  tho  attack  on  IMattshurg  must  1)(<  simiilta- 
j^roko  out  among  the  IJritish,  to  the  mlvan-  neous  hy  land  ami  water,  and  th(M'efore  that 
tage  (d'  MacMiuli  and  McDonough,  Avhose  i<['  tho  army  was  dtd'errod  till  the  wholo 
f^ituatioii  was  too  )ieriloiis,  and  tlieir  forces  ;  sfpiadron  arrived.  Xiival  asc  'udency  on 
too  few  to  ventiiro  to  rpiarrel  with  each  the  Iiiko  was  deomoil  indispensable  to  land 
other,  and  th(>y  ^voro  i'lirthonnoro,  botli  i  oiiorations.  Entire  conlideiico  prevailed  in 
army  and  navy,  oi'iiimandod  by  genthMiien  the  siipiM'iority  of  tho  IJritish  vessids,  their 
of  great  amenity  and  strong  disposition  to  heaviermetal.inoro numerous viHerancrews, 
iiiaki'  the  liest  of  their  precj^rious  situation  i  and  much  more  ex])oriencod  olficers.  'i'lieir 
by  harmoni/iug  not  only  with  each  other,  !  commander  assured  tho  army  that  with  hi» 

ship  alone  ho  would  take  the  wh(de  Ameri- 


but  til!'  militia,  viduntoers  ami  irregular 
b'vioH  unavoithibly  summoned  suddenly  to 
their  'v 


can  squadron  ;  but  that  liowas  determined 
not  to  go  to  battle,  or  out  of  harbor,  till 


As  SOI  a  as  thn  Governor -Ooncr.al  of  i  his  vessids  wore  all  ready.  On  tho  .Sth  of 
Canada  ■vvas  roinforcoil  liy  largo  bodies  j  .Soptomber,  considering  tliom  so,  ho  slowly 
of  AN'ellington's  troops  in  July  and  Au-  nioved  along  tho  lake,  ivi  tlmt  pride  (if 
p,ust,  fresh  from  tliidr  triumphs  ill  .Spain  and  I  strength  which  is  often  tho  for 'runner  of 
Franco,  he  was  onlered  to  carry  tho  war  j  disaster,  his  vanity  of  prowess  intlamed  by 
into  New  York  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain.  j  uncommon  supervision  A  uirgc  rritish 
Utter  failures  of  tho  American  army  in 
every  Canailian  attempt  gavo  rational  en- 
eouragemont  to  the  belief  that  whatovcr 
so  largo  a  force  nndortook  must  bo  offoct- 
cd:  for,  till  Urov.n  chocked  tho  tide,  it  was 
a  continued  tlood  of  victory.     As  tho  ilo- 


army  occupied  tho  circuiajacnt  jihicos, 
watching  tho  naval  operation,  waiting  only 
till  it  romovcd  tho  solo  obstacle  to  their  tri- 
nmphant  progress.  Cominodoro  Downic's 
frigate,  1()U  foot  long  by  40  foot  beam,  with 
a  crow  of  more  than  .'iUO  picked  seamen, 
til'.a  at  Isle  Aux  Xoix  'v  as  nocossarv,  indeed  '  and  a  first  Lieutenant  llobcrtson,  who,  after 


indispensable  t)  ilio  alvari  *  of  tho  IJri- 
tish  army,  positive  orders  \rero  given  to  the 
fiuarter-master  g.'oeral  and  commissary- 
p,eneral  to  suspe.id  aT  other  work,  and 
every  branch  oi  .sorvico  wliatover  that 
would  interfere  with  the  construction  and 
(•quipmont  of  the  frigate  Conlianco.  Her 
si/0,  tonnage  and  armament  wore  all  made 
so  much  greater  tlism  those  of  the  largest 


his  commander's  fall,  fought  the  vessel  at 
least  as  well  as  before  that  event,  heavily 
armed  with  eleven  guns  more  than  the 
American  Commodore,  those  guns  larger, 
heavier,  bettor  sighted,  on  the  smooth  waters 
of  tho  lake,  was  a  formidable  floating  bat- 
tery, and  as  she  moved  majestically  into 
action,  without  returning  a  shot,  till  close 
aboard  her  despised  antagonist,  was  fa- 


[1)^14. 

i'<  Iciivc  no 

l^'li"!!    VCM- 

''iititiiin 
I  ii;i\;il  |irp. 
itii  tli.>  iit- 
iVI'i^t  <'<  111- 
iiilli  liiik>>8 
II*'<1  on  It',' 
l'liMiii|iliii'i 
iiniiii'iliiito 
i<'i'.  'J'lion 
'II  till'  Mca 
i.  Iic^mi  to 
•Vdst's  iiii- 
i:iili'iin  liiul 
iniirc  tliuu 
itiiiii  l>iiw- 
lli'  Iililccdf 

I  lll('S(|llll(l- 
k'co,  tll((p)- 

111 1  Ohvay, 
'sO'JJiicii, 
nliips,  tlio 
I  nu[i)ily  of 

loats  in  nd- 
tiiiii  I'l'iii;;, 
!_v  )>r(i('('i'(l- 

Vlll.ll>  llcM't, 

a  siiiall  is- 
t\w  ISi'itish 
iolvcd  tliat 

<!'  slllHlltil- 

ri'l'itro  tliat 
tlif  Avliolo 
iilt'iicy  on 
ill'  to  land 
rcviiiiiid  ill 
-scls,  tlu'ir 
■ran  crews, 
'i-s.  Thoir 
it  with  his 
ill'  Aiiicri- 
I'ti'nnini'd 
arhor,  till 
till)  Hth  of 
ho  sli)wly 
I'l-ide  (if 
riinuor  of 
tlanu'd  hy 
;i'    I'ritisli 

it     ])hl.('OH, 

itin<;  only 
)  thi'ir  tn- 

Downio's 
Ram,  with 
[  noanicn, 
rt'hi),  after 

vossid  at 
t,  heavily 
than  the 
IS  larn;er, 
ith  waters 
iting  batr 
jally  into 

till  eloso 
,  was  fa- 


CoAr.  vr.l 


BATTLE  OX  TIIK  LAKE. 


w 


vorcd  liv  tlio  liroi'/o,  whiidi  to  all  jdiynicitl,  | 
Hii|irra<fdi'd  that  iiatiinil  ad\aiita;;i>.     Cnii^ 
trary  '     naval  iiHati"'.  if  not  hiuiur,  tlu'i'i'  , 
WUH  II     .iiiaco  in  the  Ciinlianre  to  iircpare  ' 
ri'd-h'pl  .--liiit,  Mcveral  of  which   ntnnk  and 
M't  lire  to  the  Saratoga.     'I'lie  llriti>ii  army 
and  navy  had  reason  to  rely  itn  the  Litfer 
(leaiin;;  the  way  fur  the  furnier's  ea|pti!    • 
(if   .Muiiinil)'H   two    thiiiisand    reeniitM    aiel 
eiiiiviili' u'l'Mts,   Nn|i]iorli'd,  as  the    haii;;lity 
Urit'iiiH  ei)ntem|itiioiis|y  said,  hy  a  rahhie 
of  itiiiitia.     It  was  sail!  that  the  t'luilianeo 
li:id  iiiany  thiiiits  on  hoard  for  usn  ashore 
al'ti'i'  her  assured  victory ;  even  women,  one 
ef  whom,  the  steward's  wife,  was  kilh'd  in 
till'  action. 

T  >  the  jealousy  of  corps  between  army 
and  navy,  and  confidence  id'  success,  was 
addecl  on  the  eve  (d'  liattle  a  taunt,  still 
i'lM'ther  to  piad  Dnwnie  to  indiscretion. 
As  ho  moved  p;radiial!y  alon;?  the  hike, 
Prevost  sent  an  oUicer  to  apprisi-  him  (d 
the  residution  (d'  the  council  of  war,  that 
the  nriiiy  depended  on  the  navy  for  siic- 
ci'sH  in  a  simultaneous  attack.  'J"o  that 
riUlcr  overlKiarini;  communication,  Cap- 
t:uii  hownie's  lofty  answer  to  the  stalf  (d- 
iii-er  M'ho  hore  this  message  was,  that  he 
considered  himsidf,  with  his  vessel  alone, 
a  match  for  the  whole  American  siiuadron. 
At  midiiijilit  on  the  '.)th  (d"  Septemlier,  he 
si'iit  to  inform  the  (lovernor-(ien(M'al  that 
till"  licet  would  jiet  under  way  then,  dou- 
liliii;;  Cumherlaiid  head  next  morniii;j;  at 
sunrise,  and  attack  the  American  ilotilla, 
anchored  in  the  hay  otf  I'lattshur;^.  Its  an- 
clinrai;e  was  out  of  reach  of  land  liatteries, 
the  Vessels  and  bar<;es  so  stationed  alon;; 
tlie  shiire  that  the  enemy  could  not  f^et  be- 
tween them  and  it.  At  break  of  day,  on 
the  I  Ith  of  Si'i  lember,  the  troops  were  all 
drawn  out  in  eiipectatioii  (d'  the  jironiised 
action  on  the  Avater ;  but  as  the  British 
ships  did  not  apjiear,  Sir  <«eorn;e  I'revost 
ordered  the  army  to  return  to  their  ipiar- 
tcrs.  and  sent  Commodore  l)ownie  the  in- 
sulting mi'ssa;;e,  that  the  army  were  all  at 
their  posts  at  the  time  a])pointed  by  the 
navy,  and  the  (ieie  ral  liojx'd  that  nothinj; 
but  Aveather  had  prevented  the  Commo- 
dore bein;j;  as  ;food  as  his  word.  Stunj^  by 
that  unmerited  and  harsh  reiiroach,  Downio 
hastened  his  attack,  as  the  only  reply  he 
(lci;;ned  to  f^ive.  'I'ho  line  weather  had 
disainieared  jiefore  ai>proa(dies  of  the  in- 
clemency fr(M(uent  at  » hat  season.  IJut  the 
wind  was  fair  for  tiie  British  squadron, 
whiidi,  at  seven  i-'clock  on  Sunday  morning, 
doulded  Climb  I'land  head,  the  Contianco 
proudly  leadii  ;  far  in  advance  of  all  her 
companions,  and  at  eifi'ht.  •  her  rom- 
niander  uniformly  boasted,  ni  iied  ('or\\  rd 
alone  to  take  the  whole  American  hi|  id- 
ron.  Such  Avas  the  assurance  of  lliiit  ili  .ty, 
that  a  British  barge,  filled  ^  ith  ainacur 
Hjtectators,  accompanied  the  other  sixteen 
vessels,  Avhich  misled  McDonough  to  sup- 


poHe  that  there  were  thirteen  British  bargoH, 
when  there  were  but  twelve;  the  thiltrenlll 
beiii'j:  tilled  with  idlers,  whocame  not  to  bear 
the  I  runt  of  battle,  but  witness,  enjoy,  and 
share  thr  .  iitory.  The  persons  in  the  ami- 
t(  iir  barge,  with  her  gay  cohu's  streaming, 
were  among  the  many  indications  of  that 
extreme  nauil  coiitideiice  whirli  that  day 
tinned  to  militaiy  .'ilarm  and  jiaiiic,  tlie 
sudd'  M  result  of  unlooki  il  for  discomliture  ; 
(right,  llight,  and  constcrnatioii  (f  the  army 
at  night  succeeding  contemptuous  attack 
by  the  navy  in  the  morning. 

'I'lie  position  (dioseii  I  v  Mcl)onough  for 
his  Ilotilla  is  agreed,  by  nautical  judges,  to 
have  beep  admirable;  in  wliiidi  lie  \vaited 
at  anchor  in  perfect  ipiiet  and  order,  (dia- 
ractiM'istic  of  American  naval  discipline, 
in  contrast  Avith  the  (damorous  detiaiici!  of 
British  sea  lights.  Nor  Avas  that  tiudliirn 
composure  the  only  national  contrast.  I 
am  not  able  lo  state  whether,  like  Colonel 
Short  at  .'^andusky,  tind  Colonel  jiriim- 
mond  at  I'lrie,  Commodore  l>oAvnie,  to  tlio 
overweening  eonlideiico  of  British  valor, 
added  the  fuel  of  vulgar  profanity.  But  like 
the  Spartans  at  'J'hermonyla',  and  Crom- 
well's siddiers  Avhen  an  English  army  has 
never  boon  surpassed  in  heroic  courage, 
the  young  American  commander,  thi'n 
thirty-one  years  id'  age,  introduced  his  aji- 
peal  to  mortal  combat  by  intercession  to 
Almiglitv('od  ;  neither  Pagan,  as  Ijoonidas, 
nor  J'uritan,  as  Cromwell's  jn'ayors.  Mc- 
Donough, a  member  of  that  denomination 
of  American  Christians  avIio,  Avith  atl'ec- 
tionate  reverence  for  a  mother  countrA', 
are  said  to  belong  to  the  Church  of 
J''nglaiul,  solemnized  the  sacraments  and 
saerilices  of  that  Sabbath  by  prayers; 
among  other  jdous  invocations,  rcjiding 
that  ordained  by  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal ritual  before  a  sea  light:  "0!  most 
powerful  and  glorious  Eordtiod,  avo  make 
our  address  to  'I'hy  divine  Majesty  in  this 
necessity :  that  Thou  Aviaildst  take  the  cause 
into  Thine  hands,  and  judge  betAveen  \\n 
and  our  enemies.  Stir  up  Thj-  strength, 
O  Lord,  and  come  and  help  us  ;  for  Thou 
givest  not  alway  the  battle  to  the  strong, 
liiit  canst  save  liy  many  or  by  fcAV.  Make 
it  ajipear  that  Thou  art  our  Saviour  and 
Mighty  Deliverer,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord."  While  the  (iovernor  of  Vermont, 
under  the  influence  of  the  Governor  of 
Massachusetts,  and  his  abettors,  lndd  back 
from  McDonough's  help,  denouncing  the 
Avar  as  Avickedly  waged  against  the  bulwark 
of  our  holy  religion,  a  j'oung  lieutenant,  in 
all  the  beauty  of  holiness,  by  prayers  of  the 
church  of  that  country,  against  which  his 
oAvn  Avas  accused  of  iniquitous  hostilities, 
sanctified  his  immolation,  if  so  Ood  Avilleil 
it,  on  the  altar  of  his  church  and  country, 
Avith  the  prayers  of  the  English  Church  lor 
the  safety  of  its  American  ofl'spring. 
Louis  XVL  consumed  in  protracted  prayer 


M 


■;.♦ 


■.'  i\ 


r^' 


\n 


■■4' 
a- 


n 


128 


BATTLE  BY  WATEIl  AND  LAND. 

— « — 


[1814. 


precious  niomonts  vcquirofl  for  proparation  to 
meet  (loatli.  JlL'l)(iniiu;rli'H  briof  [)rayor  was 
timely  a ;  it  was  earnest,  Avlion,  coinfortiid 
liy  its  inspiration,  lie  went  to  liattle.  At 
Siunrise  liis;;uaril  lioatannoiineedtlie  British 
approach,  nniler  i'lill  sail,  and  ho  ordered 
Ins  vessels  cleared,  and  pre|iared  for  action. 
In  the  solemn  stillness  of  that  awful  pre- 
jiaration,  wIuMi  modern  seamen,  like  old  lU)- 
nians.  are  extremely  alive  to  si-jiis,  Mhieh 


repulsed  by  the  ron;ulars  or  militia ;  and 
the  i'ew  who  got  over  instantly  killed  or 
taken.  When  the  ("onlianee,  under  the  fire 
of  several  of  the  .Vmerican  vessels,  took  her 
jiost,  and  turned  her  l)roadsid(>s,  the  first 
dischar'iio  from  a  battery  of  sixteen  lonj^ 
doubli'-shotted  cannon,  deliberately  aimed 
in  smooth  wati'r,  close  to  the  iSaratofrii, 
struck  her  with  a  terrible  crash,  which 
killed  or  wounded  one-lifth  of  her  people, 


the  superstition  natural  to  all  sensitive  and  amonj;  the  rest  her  only  Lieutenant,  (iamble, 
imaj^inative  pin-sons  converts  into  auspi- 1  the  oth(>r,  now  ('aptain  Lavallctte,  ni(>rely 
cious  or  ominous  occurreni;es,  a  cheerful  I  actinji  as  sncdi.  Thenceforward  the  cannon- 
indication  animated  the  Saratoji;a,  which  i  ade  of  all  the  vessels  was  incessant  and  de- 
Ctesar  or  Xapoleon  would  have  ]iroclaimed  i  structivo,  dismounting!;  guns,  disabling  men 
to  his  s(ddiers  with  delight,  and  they  would  I  and  masts,  and  on  lioth  sides  extremely 
Inive  hailed  witi)  enthusiasm.  Acock  flew  |  fatal  till  every  gun  on  the  side  ni'  the  Sa- 
upou  a  gunslide,  clapped  his  wings,  ami  j  ratoga  facing  the  enemy,  was  rendered  use- 
crowed,  whoso  signal  of  defiance  and  victory  I  less.  ]Ier  invincible  commander  and  cr(!W 
the  men  acknowledged  with  cheers,  which  |  had  no  oi)ti<!n  but  to  strike  their  flag,  or 
liroko  the  silence  of  anxicius  expectation.  I  devise  one  of  those  extraordinary  expeiii- 
According  to  some  accounts,  that  incidtmt !  ents  which  are  the  revelations  of  genius  for 
occurred  after  tlie  liattle  began,  when  a  can-  \  emergency !  Three  times  McDonough  had 
non  ball  struck  the  coop  from  its  place,  and  j  lieen  ]nMstrate(l,  liy  falling  sjiars,  senseless 
liberated  the  cock,  who  Hew  u]i  the  rigging,  i  on  the  deck  of  his  ship,  fought  almost  to  the; 
iSoon  after  eight  o'clock,  as  the  enemy  !  water's  edge,  and  incapable  of  further  ef- 
approaclied,  McDonough  sighted  the  first '  fort.     An  old  seaman,  nanu'd   Brum,    the 


gun  fired  from  his  ship,  wliicli  struck  the 
Confumco  with  great  effect.  Still  Downie 
btood  steadily  on  without  returning  the  fire, 
sure  that  if  lie  got  the  position  he  desired. 


master,  at  that  critical  moment  suggested 
the  C(jntrivance,  by  means  of  an  anchor  to 
turn  the  ship  round  so  as  to  Tiring  into  ac- 
tion the  side!  remaining  uninjured,  instead 


the  W(>ight  of  his  lunrier  metal  must  over- .  of  that(>ntir(dy  useless.  'J'liatmov(>m(>nt  be- 
power  his  opponent.  The  better  gunnery,  i  ing effected,  a  fresh  broadside  soon  silenced 
great(>r  agility,  and  greater  intidligence  of  the  Contianee,  in  vain  striving  to  jieribrm  the 
American  ships,  conspicuous  on  all  oeea-  same  manneuvre,  but  struck  by  more  than 
sions,  manifested  their  superior  ca]ia'^ity  for  a  hundred  large  balls  in  her  hull,  her  cap- 
annovanee  on  that.  In  all  the  naval  Ijattb's  tain  killed,  and  he.lf  h(>r  crew  killed  or 
of  1<S14,  Porter's  at  Valparaiso,  Decatur's  ;  wounded,  and  her  escape  imjiossible,  after 
when  overpowered  by  a  sijuadron  of  fri-  j  more  than  two  hours  of  the  bravest,  over- 
gates,  Blakeley's,  according  to  all  the  ac- ,  confident  conflict,  the  first  Ijieutenant,  llo- 
counts  received  of  his  cruis(!  and  loss,  an<l  :  bertson,  hauled  down  the  British  flag.  The 
Biddle's  escape  in  a  sloop  from  a  line-of-bat- '  other  British  ve.-sels,  sufferers  in  nearly 
tie  ship,  the  other  quality  of  courage,  ea- !  similar  jiroportion,  all  struck  their  colors, 
pacit}'  for  enduranci',  or  passive  fortitude,  '  Not  one  of  the  scvent(>en  IJritish  ensigns 
a  British  virtue  more  characteri>-tic  than  ac- :  streaming  at  eight  o'clock  was  visible  soon 
tive  braver\-,  was  displayed,  but  nev<'r  more  aftm'  ten  ;  when  the  masts  of  the  American 
than  in  tin;  comViat  on  J^ake  <,'liani]dain,  vessels  Averi»  too  much  injured  to  b(^ir  sail, 
especially  by  the  shij)  commanded  by  Me- i  jiursue  and  eaptnv(>  the  l»arges,  which,  hav- 
Donough.  The  Confiance  stood  straight  ing  ki>pt  further  off,  all  but  three  that 
forward,  taking  the  Saratoga's  and  other  ves-  sunk,  made  their  escajie. 
sels'  fire,  without  returning  a  shot,  till  more  i  The  officer  commanding  the  British  barges 
injured  than  was  bearable,  and  less  favored  |  was  accused  by  his  own  countrymen  of 
liy  the  wind  than  at  first,  she  was  brought  I  cowardice,  and  so  far  countenanced  the 
to  anchor,  not  exactly  as  her  Ciiptain  intend-!  accusation  as  to  abt:cond  aft(>r  a  eourt-niar- 


od,  when  the  spc''*  udc  was  intensidy  inti 
resting.  The  surroiui ding  hills  were  crov'- 
od  with  combatants  or  spectators.  The 
British  land  l.>atteries  opened  their  bom- 
bardments on  the  American  redoubts  of 
])ombs,  shraimells  and  rockets,  which  the 
forts  returned  with  interest.  Attemjtts  at 
the   fords  and  bridges  to  force  a   passage 


tial  M-as  ordered  for  his  trial.  But  to  the 
Americans  no  such  misconduct  was  evi- 
dent. Tiio  barges,  not  anchored  as  the 
large  vesscds  were,  fought  under  sail  and 
oars,  but  in  close  contact  with  our  vessels, 
with  no  a]iparent  indispositi(m  to  take  their 
appropriate  share  of  dangin*.  'i'he  thirteenth 
barge,  believed  to  contain  persons  not  at- 


acros;;  the  Saranac  were  repulsed;  one  at  i  tached  to  the  s((uadron,  non-coniliatunts, 
the  village  bridge,  a  second  at  an  upjier  |  but  anniteurs,  escaped  with  the  r.  st,  per- 
])ridge,  and  a  third  at  a  fort  throe  miles  |  haps  foremost,  wiien  it  liecame  manifest 
a})ove.  The  British  with  scaling  ladders  i  that  the  Americans  wore  incapable  of  pur- 
trying  all  these  approaches,  were  always  |  suing  and   overtaking  the   barges,  m  hich 


[1814. 

lilitia  ;  and 
ly  killed  or 
idor  tliofire 
L'ls,  took  her 
<'s,  the  first 
ixtoon  lon>; 
iiti'ly  aimed 
0  iSiiratof^ii, 
ash,  which 
hov  jieople, 
iiit,(Jainlile, 
'tte,  iii(>roly 
theeuniKin- 
;aiit  and  d;;- 
<al)liiij^  men 
s  extremely 
3  of  the  .Sii- 
Mulered  use- 
er  and  ercnv 
heir  llaj;;,  or 
lary  expedl- 
)f'  jjenius  for 
onon.uih  had 
I's,  senseless 
Iniost  to  tlu! 
I'urther  ef- 
JJrui'.),  the 
it  sii;ri>;estpd 
n  aiiehor  to 
•inj;-  into  ae- 
red,  instead 
ovenient  lie- 
:)ou  silenced 
perform  the 
nidre  than 
ill,  her  eap- 
V  killed  (jr 
ssihle,  after 
avest,  over- 

naut,  lio- 
tlao-.     The 

in  nearly 
cir  eolors. 

1  ensin;iis 
isilile  soon 

\meriean 

Ix^iir  sail, 
ivhieh,  hav- 
ihree   tliat 


tisliharfres 
tvynien  oi' 
iinei'd  the 
eimrt-miir- 
liiit  to  the 
was  evi- 
ed  as  the 
r  sail  and 
uv  vessels, 

take  their 

thirteenth 
ns  not  at- 
)mliatants, 

r.  st,  per- 
nianifest 

le  of  pur- 


Chap.  VI.] 


PREVOST'S  RETREAT. 


120 


;es,  which 


throughout  the  contest  performed  bravely 
an  effectual  part,  kept  up  an  incessant  and 
destructive  fire,  made  frequent  attempts  to 
hoard  some  of  the  American  vessels,  and 
were  not  witliout  difliculty  heat  off.  No 
llritish  official  account  was  over  published 
of  the  h)sses  borne  by  the  enemy  in  the  en- 
gap;ement;  and  several  circumstances  re- 
main unexplained  which  probably  would 
enhance  the  victor's  merits  and  exhibit 
more  fully  the  dcsij^n,  the  management  and 
the  failure  of  the  vanquished.  All  the  Ame- 
rican officers,  Henley,  Cassin  ami  lUidd, 
with  Captains  Brcese  and  Smith,  the  only 
survivors  at  present,  then  in  charge  of 
gunboats.  Captain  Young,  of  the  army,  who 
served  as  a  marine  officer,  all  without  ex- 
ception or  difference,  emulated  the  cool  and 
exenifilary  conduct  of  their  noble  leader. 

With  the  attack  Ijy  water,  that  ashore  was 
continued.  While  part  of  the  IJritish  army 
bombarded  the  forts  from  the  opposite  side 
of  the  Saranac,  Major-(jieneral  Ilobinson 
moved  off  with  his  brigade  aeolumn  of  attack 
towiird  a  ford  previously  reconnoitered,  th(>ro 
to  cross  the  river,  and  through  a  wood  ap- 
pn)aeh  the  rear  of  Macoml)'s  pt)sition;  Ma- 
jor-(ieneral  lirisltane's  brigad(>  was  disposed 
HO  as  to  create  a  diversion  in  Robinson's  fa- 
vor. Of  these  two  distinguished  generals,  de- 
stined now  to  strange  reverse,  lJol)inson  had 
been  twice  wounded  that  year  in  Spain  and 
France,  and  IJrisbane  was  known  as  one 
of  those  called  fire-eaters  of  W<dlington's 
army.  Robinson's  guid(!  misled  his  brigade, 
which  missed  the  ford,  and  while  under 
march  to  grope  his  way  through  the  woods, 
he  was  arrested  by  loud  shouts  booming  from 
the  water.  Already  misled  and  }icrplexcd, 
he  halt(Hl,  and  suspended  his  march  to  send 
to  head-quarters  and  ascertain  the  meaning 
of  such  suspicious  shouts.  His  messenger 
w.as  tidd  to  inform  the  general  that  all  the 
British  ships  were  taken,  and  be  need  pro- 
ceed no  further,  but  must  return  to  camp. 
In  little  more  than  two  hours  after  the  bat- 
tle began,  soon  after  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  this  result  was  cheered  from  the 
American  shipping  to  the  army,  from  them 
to  the  militia,  and  numenuis  spectators  of 
the  conllict.  Cries  of  exultation  rent  the 
air,  and  echoed  from  the  surrounding  hills, 
while  amazement  and  stupefaction,  soon 
amounting  to  disniay  and  unaccountable 
const(!rnation,  prevailed  throughout  the  Bri- 
tish camp.  A  storm  of  wind  with  rain  be- 
gan to  fall  in  torrents,  and  the  governor-ge- 
neral, panic  struck,  lest  pndiably  the  roads, 
the  weather,  swarms  of  emboldened  militia, 
the  well  known  inclination  id'  the  British 
troops  to  des(>rt,  and  other  ecunmon  inevita- 
ble disorganization  of  defeat  should  cause 
his  to  bo  much  greater  than  it  really  was, 
at  once  resolved  on  preeiiiitate  llight  to  Ca- 
nr.da. 

After   the   lake  victory  no   serious  at- 
tempt was  made  on  our  batteries.     The 
U 


commander-in-chief  sat  down  in  the  midst 
of  his  fourteen  thousand  conquerors  from 
another  hemisphere  to  the  painful  task  of 
officially  explaining  their  incredible    dis- 
comfiture  in    this.     Sir  George   I'revost's 
letter  to  Earl  Bathurst  was  instantly  dateil 
at  I'lattsburg,  the  11th  of  September,  1814. 
Under  the  pelting  of  the  storm  which  be- 
friended, though  perhaps  it  also  hastened 
his  sudden  departure,  as  soon  as  the  dusk 
of  the  evening  added  its  pall,  the  renowned 
veterans  of  Wellington  fled,  with  such  hast*! 
and  dread  that  the\'  got  back  to  Chazy,  eight 
miles  from  I'lattsburg,  before  their  retreat 
was  discovered.     Leaving  their  sick   and 
wounded,  with  a  note  re({uesting  General 
Ma(!omb's  care  of  them,  vast  quantities  of 
provisions   and    ammunition,  entrenching 
tools  of  all  sorts,  tents,  mar(iu6es,  upon  the 
ground,  and  cimsiderablo  quantities  buried 
under  it,  or  thrown   into   the  water,  the 
strongest  British  army  that  ever  invaded 
any  part  of  the  United  States  north  of  the 
Hudson,  which  was  by  that  river  to  sunder 
the  States,  took  to  flight  from  less  than  2500 
recruits,  many  of  them  invalids  of  the  Ameri- 
can army,  but  bravely  commanded,  and  rein- 
forced by  what  were  called  a  rabble  of  militia. 
As  soon  as  their  flight  was  discovered,  the  pa- 
nic-struck British  were  pursued  by  the  mili- 
tia, with  a  few  light  troops  of  the  regulars, 
altogether  not  one-fourth  of  their  number, 
the  rifle  at  their  backs,  and  the  bayonet  al- 
most in  their  reins,  till  they  found  sanctu- 
ary beyond  their  own   borders.     By  such 
immense   reverses  of  fortune,  inscrutable 
fate  fixes  the  destiny  of  nations,  teaching 
the  weak  the  folly  of  despair,  and  the  mighty 
that  of  confidence.  Without  disparagement 
of  worldly  wisdom,  the  tides  of  fortune  ebb 
and  flow  like  those  of  the  ocean,  past  man's 
finding  out;   and  in    1S14  ran  as   strong 
for  as  in  1813  they  set  against  the  United 
States. 

On  his  retreat  from  Plattsliurg,  Prevost 
sent  an  officer  to  General  Mocr's  house  to 
inform  his  son,  left  in  charge  of  it,  that  pre- 
liminaries of  peace  were  signed  at  Ghent, 
as  the  governor-general  had  that  day  been 
apprised  by  adviecfi  from  Halifax.  Whether 
that  was  his  belief,  or  a  stratagem  to  soften 
militia  pursuit,  never  transpired;  but  the 
circumstance  of  the  message  was  credibly 
reported. 

So  amazing  a  defeat  occasioned  recrimi- 
nations between  the  British  navy  and  army, 
the  latter  full  of  distinguished  officers,  uii- 
used  to  discomfiture,  and  to  whom  Prevost's 
command  was  new.  Yeo  accused  Prevost 
of  gross  misconduct.  Pring  was  tried  by  a 
court  martial.  On  the  first  of  March,  1815, 
peace  being  announced  in  Canada,  Governor 
General  Prevost  took  leave  of  the  Canadian 
Parliament,  and  left  Quebec  for  England, 
succeeded  in  the  provincial  government  by 
Sir  Gordon  Pruinmond.  In  April  Prevost 
set  off  by  land,  through  the  frozen  and  iu- 


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130 


BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 


[1814. 


Ii(iapitix1)ln  <lcsf:rt1)otwcon  Qiicboc  and  New 
IJrunswick,  to  cmbnrk  at  Halifax.  Arrived 
in  Li)iidi>n,  lie  protected  an;ainHt  Sir  James 
Yeo'n  eliarji;es,  ami  the  injusti('(>  of  the  na- 


with  every  requisite.  IIis  generous  and  po- 
lite attention  to  myself,  the  officers  and  men, 
will  ever  hereafter  be  gratefully  remem- 
bered:" just  homage,  not  to   be  inijiaired 


val  court  martial  on  C'njitain  I'ring,  which  I  by  unworthy  misrepresentation  of  relative 
censured  tiu!  (;ommandor  of  the  army,  who  I  f(jrce,  written  at  the  desk  of  his  gencroua 
demanded  a  court  martial  to  ex(!uli)ate  him-  eoncjueror,  in  the  ciil)in  of  the  Saratoga, 
81'lf.  lint  on  the  5th  of  January,  IMIG,  be- !  surrounded  by  unquestionable  proofs  of 
fore  his  trial  or  vindication,  he  died,  over-  the  untruth  there  utteix'd. 
come  by  the  weight  of  what  he  pronounceil  j  The  Saratoga  was  twice  on  fire  by  per- 
unjust  accusation,  and  the  severity  of  the  fidious  hot-shot  from  the  Confianco.  I'ho 
jouriu-y  ho  performed  hastening  home  to  American  shin  had  fifty-five  round  shot  in 
repel  it.  Whatevc^r  may  have  been  his  mill- 1  her  hull,  the  hnglish  one  hundred  and  five, 
tary  mishajjs  or  errors,  he  was  considered  a  i  The  AuKsrican  loss  was  fifty-two  killed  and 
prudent  and  efficientviceroy  of  Canada,  and  fifty-eight  wounded;  the  British  eighty-four 
retired  from  its  government  with  the  good    killed  and  one  hundred  and  ten  wounded. 


will  of  its  inhabitants 

Macomb's  countenance,  firmness,  alac- 
rity,  and   lal)or8    day   and   night,  before. 


As  always,  tlio  American  tiring  was  much 
superior. 

On  the  Sunday  fidlowing  Perry's  Friday 


during  and  after  the  exigency,  industriously  !  victory,  a  year  before,  the  American  and  Bri 
preparing  for  it  by  manly  and  cheerful  con- 1  tish  dead  were  buried  together  with  religious 
Htancy,  Ills  kind  and  politic  welcome  of  the  and  military  ceremonies.  The  Thursday 
militia  and  volunteers,  who  fioeked  to  his  after  the;  Sunday  of  JMcDonougli's  victory 
relief,  his  jirofuse  encomiums  of  their  good  was  consecrated  by  him  to  tlie  same  pious 
conduct,  and  gentle  rebuke  of  thiMrinfirmi- 1  and  exemplary  duty  of  interring  together 
ties,  all  bespoke  his  fitness,  for  the  trial  to  i  the  Americans  and  iJritisli  who  fell  on  Lake 
which  in  his  person  and  qualifications  his  |  (Jhamplain.  The  officers  of  each,  covered 
country  was  8ubject<'d.  His  killed,  wounded  j  by   the   tattered  flags   of  their  respective 


and  missing  were  140.  The  loss  of  the  Eng- 
lish army  about  the  same,  together  with  be- 
tween three  and  fivQ  hundred  deserters, 
who,  during  the  retreat,  in  the  darkness  of 
night  and  cover  of  the  woods,  escaped  from 
the  severities  of  British  military  service  to 
the   freedom   of  American   independence 


countries;  the  proud  standard  of  Great 
Britain,  to  which  those  of  every  European 
navy  had  been  struck,  till  not  one  was  left 
afloat  upon  the  ocean,  waved  with  the  star- 
spangled  banner,  whoso  rising  glory  o'er 
the  homo  of  the  brave  and  the  land  of  the 
free,  was  first  ;ning  that  night  on  board 


(icncral  Macomb,  brevetted  major-general '  the  British  vessels  bombarding  Baltimore, 
for  his  success,  was,  on  the  death  of  (Jene-  ]  in  the  national  anthem  composed  by  Francis 
ral  Brown,  appointed  commander-in-chief  |  Key.  McDonough  and  his  officers,  with 
of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  in  that  I  the  remains  of  their  honored  <i(^ad,  were 
station  died  at  Washington,  where  public  !  rowed  in  their  boats  from  the  Saratoga  to 
obseciuies  attended  his  remains  to  the  grave.  ;  the  Confiance,  both  ships  scarred  all  over  in 
The  mod(^st  lieutenant,  victorious  on  the  I  their  hulls,  masts,  spars,  rigging  and  decks, 
hike,  in  a  short  despatch  on  the  lljtli  Sep- '  by  the  ravages  of  tnt;ir  bloody  encounters, 
teinber,  announced  to  the  Secretary  of  the    The  Saratoijafired  minute  guns  as  the  boats 


Navy  that  he  sent  him  by  Lieutenant  Cas 
sin,  the  flags  of  his  Britannic  majesty's  late 
s({Uiiilron  takenbythatof  the  United  States; 
and  in  a  remarkable  spirit  of  the  economy 
so  much  more  recommended  than  practised, 
Huggesteil  that  our  squadron  would  bear 
considerable  diminution,  yet  leave  enough 
to  repel  any  force  the  enemy  couhl  bring 
in  that  (luarter.  Captain  Priiig,  the  officer 
on  whom  devolved  the  (M)inmaiid  of  the  Bri- 
tish squadron  after  Downie's  death,  disfi- 
gured his  official  report  of  his  surrender  by 
disingenuous  account  of  "the  decided  ad- 
vantage the  enemy  possessed,  exclusive  of 
their  great  superiority  in  point  of  force,  a 
i;om]iarative  statement  of  which  he  pro- 
fess(Ml"  to  annex,  butdid  not.  Notwithstand- 
ing that  paltry  perversion,  I'riiig's  despatch 
ch)Sod  with  "much  satisfacticm  in  making 
known  tli(!  humane  treatment  the  wounded 
have  received  from  Commodore  McIVjnough. 
They  were  immediately  removed  to  his  own 
hospital  ou  Coral  Island,  and  furnished 


with  measured  strokes  of  the  oarsmen  rowed 
from  the  victor  to  the  vanquished  ship. 
From  the  Confiance  the  British  d(Mxd  and 
surviving  officers  were  receiv(;d  in  the  Ame- 
rican boats  with  the  attention  and  honors 
due  to  unfortunate  brave  men ;  and  the  pro- 
cession of  boats  slowly  moved  to  the  place 
of  interment  ashore. 

Numerous  escorts  of  .artillery  and  infant- 
ry from  the  army,  waited  their  landing  on 
the  shore,  and  joined  the  procession,  while 
minute  guns  from  the  fort  accomi>aiiied  the 
firing  from  the  shipping.  Crowds  of  the 
neigliboring  people  followed,  in  respectful 
silence,  to  the  luiblic  burial-ground,  where 
the  funeral  service  was  performed,  and 
closed  by  discharges  of  firearms  over  the 
graves,  in  which  those  who  slew  each  other 
were  laid  together.  The  day  was  wet 
and  gloomy  when  those  simple  and  afi'ect- 
ing  ceremonies,  religious  and  martial,  con- 
s(H;rated  an  occasion  and  scene  memorable 
for  both  nations.    Men  of  the  same  blood, 


I 


[1814. 

Dus  and  po- 
ps and  men, 
illy  romom- 
10  iinjiivired 
(if  rolativo 
is  {^onerous 
J  Saratoga, 
(  proof'B    of 

firo  by  per- 
iinco.  I'ho 
iind  shot  in 
0(1  and  five. 
)  klll(!d  and 
oif:;hty-four 
n  wounded. 
;  was  much 

■ry's  Friday 

•an  and  Bn- 

ith  religi(His 

)   Thursday 

!;!i's  victory 

.sanjc  pioua 

ri.t;  together 

fell  on  Lake 

eh,  covered 

r  respective 

i   of  Great 

y  European 

one  was  left 

ith  the  star- 

;  glory   o'er 

land  of  the 

t  on  board 

Baltimore, 

by  Francis 

ilicers,  with 

'lead,  were 

Saratoga  to 

d  all  over  in 

and  docks, 

ncountcrs, 

as  the  boats 

smen  rowed 

islied    ship. 

(lead  and 

n  the  Amc- 

anil  honors 

md  the  pro- 

o  the  place 

and  infant- 
landing  on 
sion,  while 
ipanied  the 
wds  of  the 
respectful 
uiul,  vvhero 
rnied,  and 
IS  over  tho 
each  other 
f    was   wet 
and  affect- 
artial,  con- 
mo  morablc 
lamc  blood, 


! 


Chap.  VI.] 


A  VOLUNTEER'S  STATEMENT. 

— ♦- 


131 


on  distant  lakes,  in  tho  woods  of  America, 
destroyed  each  other  as  enemies  fighting 
for  gain,  upon  the  high  seas,  prosecuting 
8trif(!  whicn  religious  intolerance  began, 
political  dominion  continued,  commercial 
and  industrial  competition  renewed,  and,  it 
would  seem,  nothing  but  tho  blood  of 
brothers  could  put  an  end  to. 

To  tho  official  descriptions  of  tho  battles  of 
Plattsburg,  tho  reader  will  allow  tho  addi- 
tion of  another  by  a  vobinteor  who  served 
on  tho  occasion,  whoso  brief  and  modest 
account  is  entitled  to  every  credit : 

"  To  pers(m3  who  arc  not  acquainted 
with  tho  situation  of  Plattsburg,  it  would 
seem  very  strange,  if  not  almost  impossible, 
to  believe  that  an  army  of  fourteen  thou- 
sand eflcctive  troops,  well  drilled,  and  pro- 
vided with  everything  necessary  to  insure 
tlioir  success,  should  be  defeated  and  com- 

fielled  to  make  a  hasty  retreat,  by  a  mere 
landful  of  regular  troops,  assisted  by  a 
small  nuniJ)er  of  volunteers  from  the  mili- 
tia, hastily  collected  together  ;  yet,  strange 
as  it  may  seem,  it  was  a  fact,  clearly  shown 
at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  on  tho  11th  of 
September,  1814;  and  to  explain  the  cause 
of  this  strange  defeat  of  the  British  army, 
it  will  be  necessary'  here  to  state  that  the 
village  of  I'lattsburg  is  situated  on  the  west- 
erly side  of  Lake  Champlain  ;  and  a  river, 
called  Saranac,  on  its  way  easterly,  passes 
through  this  village,  dividing  it  into  two 
parts,  and  empties  its  waters  into  tho  bay, 
being  a  part  of  Lake  Champlain.  This 
stream,  for  tho  distance  of  four  miles,  or 
more,  in  consequence  of  its  rocky  shores 
and  bottom,  is  rendered  impassable  by 
fording,  and  at  that  time  there  were  but 
two  places  whore  they  crossed  it  on  bridges. 
On  tho  south  side  of  this  stream,  a  slurt 
distance  from  the  lower  bridge,  was  the 
place  selected  for  the  forts,  it  being  on  an 
eminence  commanding  a  view  of  the  whole 
village.  In  this  situation  we  find  it  at  the 
time  of  the  invasion  ;  we  also  find  that 
Commodore  McDonough,  with  his  fleet,  lay 
at  Cumberland  h(>ad,  watching  the  motion 
of  the  enemy.  On  tho  (ith  of  September, 
1814,  the  enemy  made  t\unr  ajipearanco  at 
that  village.  The  inhabitants,  together 
with  our  troops,  on  finding  tlu;  enemy  were 
near,  threw  (town  the  upper  bridge,  and 
took  the  plank  off  from  the  lower  one,  and 
made  every  other  arrangement  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  reaching  the  fort ;  and  by 
their  skill  and  bravery  thev  prevented  them 
crossing  the  river.  General  Macomb,  know- 
ing the  situation  that  he  was  in,  and  judg- 
ing from  what  ho  saw  of  their  movements, 
what  their  future  operations  would  be,  al- 
though he  was  sanguine  as  to  his  being 
able  to  check  them  in  his  front,  yet  he 
clearly  saw  tho  need  of  a  larger  force  than 
he  then  had,  to  chock  thoir  right  wing, 
which  extended  up  tho  river,  at  which 
place  tho  river  might  be  fordijd.    In  this 


situation  he  wisely  took  tho  precaution  to 
send  across  the  lake  into  the  Green  Mount- 
ain State  for  assistance.  Ills  call  was 
quickly  responded  to,  and  by  Saturday,  the 
lOth,  there  were  about  two  thousand  volun- 
teers, who  had  crossed  the  lake  and  reported 
themselves  to  him.  They  were  ordered  to 
encamp  at  the  mouth  of  Salmon  river,  a 
few  miles  south  of  the  fort,  there  to  wait 
his  order.  During  this  time  the  enemy  had 
brought  up  and  mounted  their  artillery, 
and  it  was  clearly  ascertained  that  tho 
battle  would  take  place  the  ne.xt  day.  Ac- 
cording to  expectation,  the  enemy's  fleet 
appeared  at  an  early  hour.  Tho  cannon- 
ading soon  began,  and  it  was  soon  found 
that  the  enemy  were  crossing  at  tho  up- 
per ford  with  intent  to  come  round  on 
the  rear  of  the  fort.  The  militia  were  in- 
stantly ordered  to  meet  them,  which  order 
was  prom])tly  obeyed,  and  the  enemy  wore 
soon  compelled  to  re-cross  the  viver  in  great 
haste.  During  this  time  Commodore  Mc 
Donougli  had  conquered  the  enemy's  fleet — 
tho  centre  had  been  kept  back  by  the  forco 
at  the  fort.  General  Provost,  finding  him- 
self completely  checked  and  beaten  at  every 
point,  ordered  a  retreat  that  night,  and  tho 
next  morning  the  enemy  were  all  far  on 
their  way  home." 

In  a  most  important  result,  the  naval 
victory  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  1814,  sur- 
passed that  on  Lake  Erie  in  1813.  Tho 
former  enabled  Harrison  to  recover  lost 
ground,  whereas  the  latter  prevented  tho 
loss  of  any.  In  the  then  temper  of  Massa- 
chusetts, if  not  most  of  Now  England,  it  i.s 
difficult  to  estimate  the  danger  to  the  Union 
of  Provost's  penetrating  with  a  conquering 
army  to  Ci'own  Point,  and  taking  up  win- 
ter quarters  in  New  York,  near  New  Eng- 
land. 

But  perhaps  no  territorial  or  political 
consequence  of  that  victory  deserves  atten- 
tion so  much  as  the  groat  naval  refiirma- 
tion,  which  may  Vie  not  unreasonably 
ascribed  to  the  religious  exercises  on  board 
the  commander's  ship  preliminary  to  tho 
conflict.  The  primitive  and  edifying  sub- 
limity ofthe  young  commander  of  a  squadron 
preparing  for  combat,  by  introducing  it 
with  devotional  exercises,  going  to  pray- 
ers b(>fore  he  ordered  his  crew  to  clear  for 
action,  which  nothing  but  pure  religious 
reverence  could  induce,  instead  of  rousing 
his  men  by  the  animal  excitements  common 
on  such  occasions,  was  an  act  which  victory 
recommends  to  great  consequences.  It  was 
ill  strong  contrast  with  English  practice  and 
s(>afaring  character:  of  both  men  andofficera 
of  their  naval  and  commercial  marine.  The 
British  tar,  familiarly  and  fondly  so  called, 
has  been  deemed  incurably  and  excusably, 
if  not  laudably  thoughtless)  profane,  in- 
eljriato,  careless  of  danger,  bravo  like  a 
beast,  addicted  to  conflict,  and  reckless  of 
futurity.    A  few  years  before  the  battle  ou 


I    '■ 

•..-.<'    . . 

■"■y  •.■■■I. 

.)V-- ■•■•>' 

r 


h1' 


^1 

:4{ 


.»■       .Til 
*  'I 


t^' ' 


132 


NAVAL  REFOR^IATION. 

— ♦— — 


[1814. 


\'^- 


iv 


1:. 


^■ 


M. 
}>■■ 


f 
■i'l 


::l 


■;)• 


.     u: 


If.  i 


Lake  Champlain,   tho  most  ominont  and  i  for  life  in  floating  harracks,  liaLitually  pro- 
learned  of  all  tho  judges   that  have  pro- 1  fane,  inebriate  and  brutal,  like  nearly  all  sea- 


Uduneed  Admiralty  law  in  Kngland,  Sir 
William  Seott,  afterwards  Lord  Stowell,  in 
a  suit  for  seamen's  wages,  in  tho  year  1790, 
treated  them  as  a  peculiar  race  of  mankind, 
beneath  the  rest.  "  Common  mariners," 
ho  said,  "  como  before  tho  court  Avith  so 
strong  a  title  to  the  indulgence  and  favora- 
ble attentiim  of  the  court,  from  their  ig- 
norance and  helpless  state,  placed  in  a  pe- 
culiar manner  under  the  protection  of  the 
liourt."  "  A  sailor  may  remain  a  sailor  to 
tho  end  of  his  days,  as  it  is  not  usual  to  bo 
minute  in  tlie  inquiry  made  into  his  cha- 
racter." After  thus  degrading  seamen  to  a 
low(>r  stage  of  humanity,  tlic  judge  spoke 
of  drunkenness,  for  wliich  (it  was  the  ease 
of  a  mate)  "  the  court  will  be  no  apologist," 
lie  said.  "  At  the  same  time,  it  cannot  en- 
tirely forget  that,  in  a  mode  of  life  pecu- 
liarly exposed  to  severe  peril  and  exertion, 
and  therefore  admitting,  in  seasons  of  re- 
pose, something  of  indulgence  and  refresh' 


men,  were  licentious,  'luarrelsome,  and  law- 
less, encouraged  in  bad,  as  if  incapable  of 
good  habits ;  and,  as  fighting  men,  infinitely 
below  soldiers  in  all  the  privileges  and  ele- 
vation of  manhood. 

Since  1814,  a  wonderful  reformation  has 
taken  place  in  the  American  marine,  both 
naval  and  commercial ;  and  is  it  unreasona- 
ble to  consider  McDonough's  example  as 
having  contributed  to  that  change  ?  Then 
tiiere  Averc  not,  it  is  said,  more  than  one  or 
two,  now  there  are  from  fifty  to  one  hundred 
ofliccrs  of  the  American  navy,  professors  of 
religicm.  In  the  American  commercial  ma- 
rine, there  are  eight  hundred  masters  and  ten 
thousand  common  seamen,  devout  and  sober, 
more  than  in  1814.  Ao  government  inter- 
ference has  wrought  this  reform,  which  is 
the  spontaneous  growth  of  seed  sown  by  in- 
dividuals like  McDonough,  daring  to  be  re- 
ligious. Libraries  and  temperance  contri- 
bute their,  no  doubt,  valuable  help.     I5ut 


ment,  that  indulgence  and  refreslnnent  is    individual  piety  has  been  the  principal  pro 
naturally  enough  souglit  by  sucii  persons  in  "         " 

grosser  pleasures  of  that  kind,  and,  there- 
fore, that  the  proof  of  a  single  act  of  in- 
temperance, committed  in  port,  is  no  conclu- 
sive proof  of  disability  for  general  maritime 
employment.  Another  rule  would,  I  fear, 
disalile  very  many  useful  men  i'or  the  ma- 
ritime service  of  their  countrj." 

Such  philosophy  for  the  sea,  inculcated 
by  the  highest  English  authority,  for  of- 
ficers, left  the  common  mariner  where,  in 
l)(»th  English  and  American  marine  affairs, 
he  ahvavs  was  some  vears  ago.     The  hard- 


motor  of  such  a  moral  advance  in  tho 
American  over  the  British  marine,  that 
every  person  desirous  of  safe  conveyance 
for  himself  or  his  property,  on  the  ocean, 
prefers  an  American  to  a  British  vessel. 

There  are  other,  and  still  more  interest- 
ing, views  of  this  reformation  which  need 
but  be  glanced  at.  Of  what  utility  were 
English  or  American  missions  to  reclaim 
heathen  countries  while,  with  every  minister 
of  Christianity,  went  a  hundred  or  more  de- 
praved and  disgusting  seamen,  whose  ha- 
bitual  misbehaviour    more   than    counter- 


ships,    destitution,  and  privations   of  that    vailed  all  that  missionaries  could  preach  of  a 

creed  thus  practically  re-futed  and  rendered 
odious?  AVhorever  sober  and  religious 
crews  accom[iany  pious  missionaries,  their 
labors  may  be  effectual,  Ijut  not  till  then. 
And  of  what  avail  are  clumsy  annual  at- 
tempts by  act  of  Congress  to  abolish  flog- 
ging and  drinking  till  seamen  are  morally 
prepared  for  more  humane  and  civilized 
treatment?  A  moral  and  religious  marine, 
sober,  civilized  and  christianized  seamen, 
will  bo  an  American  reformation,  should  it 
be  accomplished,  the  benefits  of  which  to 
iiKinkind  it  is  difficult  to  over-estimate.  Tho 
lash  will  disappear  with  the  grog;  the  sea- 
man will  be  a  gi'iitlenian;  and  there  is  no 
other  way  to  make  him  so;  all  attempts  liy 
law,  or  other  than  moral  means,  must  fail 
to  get  rid  of  brutal  conduct  and  brutal  dis- 
ciiiline. 

If,  therefore,  the  example  of  the  bravo 
and  modest  lieutenant  from  the  banks  of 
the  Delawari',  who,  without  offence,  rolniked 
the  universal  naval  iiuliffereiice  to  religion, 
in  both  the  American  and  British  nuirine, 
commercial  as  well  as  militant,  and  rising 
calmly  from  that  pious  reltuke,  wont  to 
battle  refreshed  by  it,  to  fight  with  tho 
considerate   valor  which   is   far   ruporioi' 


large  class  of  useful  men,  several  millions, 
probably,  of  English  and  Americans,  wer<! 
much  less  than  their  utter  want  of  religious 
itistructi(m.  Those  "  poor  children  of  the 
sea,"  when  ashore,  inhabit<Hl  the  land- 
lord's profligate  den,  frequented  the  liruthel, 
and  lived  without  either  home,  faith,  or  fa- 
mily. When  .McDonough  introduced  l)attle 
liy  prayers,  there  was  not,  in  all  the  British 
dominions,  or  I'nited  States  of  Aiiicrica,  a 
single  jilacc  of  worship  approjn-iated  to 
mariners.      Naval    chaplains    said    formal 

Iirayers,  on  certain  occasions,  on  shipltoard. 
iut  there  was  no  religion;  and  "no  Sun- 
days off  soundings"  was  a  seaman's  pro- 
verb. By  universal  opinion,  as  Lord  Stowell 
reasiineil,  a  sailor  remained  a  sailor  to  the 
end  of  his  days,  and  it  was  not  usual  to  be 
minute  in  the  iiKpiiry  made  into  his  cha- 
racter. Tho  Gospel  was  never  prcched 
to  them,  at  sea  or  ashore,  as  they  were 
deemed  inaccessible  to  religious  influence. 
A  man-of-war  was  a  floating  l*andemoniuni, 
full  of  turbulent  spirits,  stimulated  by  ar- 
dent drinks,  awed  by  iron  severity,  lashed 
and  fettered  for  misconduct,  'I'lie  British 
veteran  seamen  on  board  the  Conflance,  im- 
pressed, perhaps  years  before,  imprisoned 


[1814. 


Chap.  VI.]  GOVERNOR  CHITTENDEN'S  PROCLAMATION. 

— * — 


133 


to  animal  or  factitious,  nbovo  all,  drunken 
courai!;o — if  that  adniirahlo  exanipli!  of  true 
heroism  is  effectual — there  was  in  Mac- 
donough's  victory  on  Lake  Chamjdain  an 
edifying  result  far  exceeding  the  conso- 
quences  for  Avhich  triumpha  in  arms  are 
connnonly  celebrated. 

In  the  rouae<l  temper  of  the  nati(m,  the 
])arljarian  destruction  of  the  metropolis  by 
the  enemy,  far  from  alarming,  did  but  excite 
public  ardor  for  resistance,  while  every 
victory  inspired  the  higliest  conlidence. 
Everywhere  defeated,  by  land  and  water, 
except  at  Washington,  where  government 
aliine  was  thought  to  blame,  and  in  Massa- 
chusetts, where  treachery  exjilained  disas- 
ter, tiie  mighty  British  beoanu*  more  odious 
than  ever,  and  no  longer  feared,  if  not  de- 
spised. Nowhere  was  tiie  revolution  in 
public  sentiment  more  remarkable  than  in 
Vermont,  by  the  victories  of  I'lattsburg. 
Tiie  federal  party  carried  the  autumnal 
elections  for  Congress  in  that  frontier  State, 
where  five  federalists  superseded  as  many 
repuldicans  in  tin?  House  of  Representatives. 
Tlie  governor,  Martin  Chittenden,  was  an 
adherent  of  Governor  Strong  and  his  doc- 
trines. On  the  iirst  of  September,  when 
tlie  British  army  began  its  advance  to 
I'lattsburg,  and  (Jeneral  Maeoml)  sent  an 
express,  earnestly  calling  on  Governor  Chit- 
tenden for  aid,  not  to  invade  Canada,  but 
defend  Vermont,  he,  tlien  at  Burlington,  the 
State  capital,  resolved  to  do  nothing,  but  go 
home  to  his  residence  at  Jericho,  and  there 
disgracefully  wait  events.  On  tho  4th  of 
September,  Macomb,  l)y  anotlier  express,  re- 
newed his  instancies,  informing  the  governor 
that  the  enemy  had  that  day  marched  to  at- 
tack I'lattsburg.  An  oflicer  of  the  militia, 
Gen.  Newell,  tendered  his  brigade  to  the  go- 
vernor, to  repair  to  I'lattsburg,  or  anvwhere 
else,  to  oppose  the  enemy:  to  which  the 
governor's  cold-lilooded  answ(>r  was,  that 
he  iiad  no  authority  to  oi'der  tlie  militia  to 
leave  the  State.  On  the(Uh  September,  tlie 
cannonade,  then  i)egun,  was  distinctly  audi- 
ble at  Burlington,  and  (Jovernor  Chitten- 
den's residence  at  Jericho.    But  housed  and 

rectreant  there,  thechief  magistrate  still  held  j  has  now  arrived  when  all  degrading  Jiarty 
oft";  when  the  ))eo])le,  on  tliiiir  own  sponta- 
neous motion,  in  numbers  crossed  the  lake, 
and   following   the  cannonade,  hurried   to 


Canada,  but  that  Vermont  volunteers,  un- 
der (Jeneral  Strong,  strictly  and  <'mpliatic- 
ally  V(duntoers,  for  ilwy  had  neither  ordt  rs 
nor  countenance  from  their  c(mimander-in- 
chief,  had  bravely  resisted  the  attack  at 
I'lattsburg,  shareif  in  the  pursuit  to  Chazy, 
and  shareu  too  in  the  plentiful  spoils  cap- 
ture(l  at  every  stage  of  hostile  tliglit. 

After  part  of  the  New  York  militia  were 
dismissed  bv  General  JIacumb,  as  no  longer 
needed,  the  Vermont  volunteers  hail  all  gone 
home,  and  it  was  notorious  that  the  enemy 
had  abandoned  all  idea  of  assailing  any 
part  of  that  region,  on  the  10th  September, 
1S14,  still  tarrying  at  Jericho,  Governor 
Chittenden's  obeisance  to  the  mighty  mas- 
tery of  success  at  last  appeared  in  his  pro- 
clamation : 

"  Whereas,  it  appears  that  the  Avar  in 
which  our  country  is  unfortunately  engaged, 
has  assumed  an  entirely  different  character 
since  its  first  commencement,  and  has  been 
almost  exclusively  defensive,  and  is  jirose- 
cuted  by  the  enemy  with  a  spirit  uncxam- 
pleil  during  pending  negotiations  of  peace, 
which  leaves  no  prospect  of  safety  but  in  a 
manly  and  united  determination  to  meet 
invasion  at  every  point,  and  to  expel  tho 
invader: 

"And  whereas,  notwithstandingthe  signal 
and  glorious  naval  victory  lately  achieved 
by  our  gallant  commander,  McDonotigh, 
and  his  bnivo  officers  and  seamen  over  a 
superior  naval  force  on  Lake  Chamidain; 
and  a  like  discomfiture  of  the  enemy's  whole 
land  force,  concentrated  at  I'lattslnirg,  by 
General  Macomb's  small  but  valiant  band 
of  regular  troops,  aided  and  powerfully 
supported  by  our  patriotic,  virtuous,  and 
lirave  volunteers,  who  flew  to  meet  the  in- 
vader with  an  alertness  and  spirit  unexam- 
phfd  in  this  or  an;,  other  country; — it  is 
made  known  to  me  that  theBritisii  army  is 
still  on  the  frontier  of  our  sister  State,  col- 
lecting and  concentrating  a  jiowerful  force, 
indicating  fu.ther  operations  of  aggres- 
siiHi : 

"And  wh(>reas,  the  conflict  I. as  b(>conio  a 
common  and  not  a  i>arty  concern,  the  tinui 


I'lattsliurg,  without  distinction  of  Jiarty, 
to  tender  their  services  for  their  country, 
'i'lie  reports  at  Jericho  then  were,  that  tiie 
enoiiiy  had  forced  his  way  over  the  Saraiiac, 
and  ^lacoinb,  in  imminent  peril,  w:is  in  grciit 
distress  for  reinforcements.  On  Siinduy, 
the  eleventh,  when  it  was  apprehended  that 
I'lattsburg  had  fallen,  the  governor  was 
carefu'  tosay  that  he  liadiuutlier  ordercMl  nor 
advised  the  voliinteei's  to  go  there.  He  stood 
skulking  behind  constitutional  demurrer  and 
unmanly  j>retext,  till  the  whole  region  was 
in  a  ferment  of  exultation,  not  only  that  the 
enemy  was  defeated  aud  driven  back  to  j  our  fathers  in  their  glorious  and  successful 


distinctions  and  animosities,  however  we 
may  have  differed  as  to  the  policy  of  de- 
claring, or  the  mode  of  jirosocuting,  the 
war,  ought  to  be  laid  aside,  that  every  heart 
niaj'  be  stimulated  and  every  arm  nerved 
for  the  protection  of  our  common  country, 
our  altars,  and  our  firesides;  in  the  defence 
of  which  we  may,  with  a  humble  confidence, 
look  to  Heaven  for  assistance  and  protec- 
tion. 

"  Now,  therefore,  I,  Martin  Chittenden, 
(lovernor  and  Commander-in-Chief  in  and 
over  the  State  of  Verinunt,  do  issue  this, 
my  proelamatiim,  earnestly  exhorting  all 
tin?  good  jieople  of  this  State,  by  that  love 
of  country  which  so  signally  distinguished 


i  '■'■ 

'Si;' 


'f'    If 


134 


VERMONT. 

— ♦— 


[1814. 


i 

i 

■■;, 

K  r 

•.1'  ■ 
t     ■ 


stnigf^lo  for  onr  indepcndpnco,  to  unite 
Ijotli  heart  ami  hand  in  defence  of  our 
common  interest  and  everything  dear  to 
frcenaen. 

"  I  do  enjoin  it  upon  all  officers  of  divi- 
sions, l)rigade.s,  regiments,  and  companies  of 
the  militia  of  this  8tate,  to  exert  themselves 
in  the  execution  of  their  respective  duties, 
in  placing  those  under  their  command  in  a 
complete  state  of  readiness,  and  without 
further  order,  to  march  at  a  moment's 
■warning  to  meet  any  invasion  which  may 
he  attempted,  and  to  chastise  and  expel  the 
invader. 

"  And  I  would  earnestly  recommend  it  to 
those,  who,  by  the  lenitv  of  our  laws,  arc 
exempt  from  ordinary  military  dutj-,  where 
they  have  not  already  done  it,  to  organize 
themselves  into  companies,  and  equip,  ami 
.stand  in  readiness  to  meet  the  approaching 
crisis ;  reminding  tln-m  tliat  it  is  their  pro- 
perty, themselves,  and  tiieir  ra>v.ilies,  that 
are,  in  common  witij  others,  to  be  pro- 
tected. 

"  And  more  especially  I  would  recommend 
it  to  the  Select  Men  and  civil  authorities  of 
the  respective  towns,  to  be  vigilant  in  the 
execution  of  the  duties  enjoined  on  them, 
in  i)roviding  ammunition,  and  in  affording 
8uch  assistance  to  the  militia  as  their  situa- 
tions may  require. 

"  After  witnessing  the  severe  and  degrad- 
ing terms  imposed  on  many  of  our  unfortu- 
nate fellow-citizens  on  the  sea-board,  no  man 
■who  is  mindful  of  what  he  owes  to  his  coun- 
try, and  to  his  own  character,  can  advocate 
submission  while  resistance  is  practicable. 
The  fate  of  Alexandria  forcibly  appeals  to 
the  proud  feelings  of  every  American,  to 
exert  the  augmented  force  and  I'esources 
with  which  it  lias  pleased  a  1)eneficial  Pro- 
vidence to  bless  us  for  the  defcmco  and  se- 
curity of  that  soil  and  those  rights  rendered 
int.'stimable  by  having  been  purchased  by 
tli((  blood  of  our  fathers." 

In  that  complete  conversion  from  fsietion 
to  patriotism.  Governor  (Jhittenden  did  but 
follow  a  popular  movement  wliich  was  irre- 
sistllile.  Tiie  sovereign  pi'oplo  of  Vermont 
toiik  tii(!  war  in  hand  and  to  heart  with  a 
spirit  wliich  no  State  authority,  much  less 
individual  dissenter,  could  withstand ; 
strongly  in  contrast  with  tlio  disgraceful 
inaction  of  Massachusetts.  In  almost  cvorv 
town  ill  the  western  part  of  A'ermont,  mili- 
tary organization  was  perfected ;  arms, 
ammunition,  and  transportation,  spontane- 
ously proviijed,  points  t»f  rendezvous  desig- 
nated, so  as  to  repel  any  hostile  attempt, 
•jiein'rals  Strong  and  Ormc  ijordially  se- 
ctjnded  the  popular  movement,  and  t\u\ 
whole  pastoral  eoininonwealtli  was  afoot 
witli  martial  energy  ;  defensive,  indeed,  but 
patriotic  and  repulsive ;  and  sueli  as,  if  Mas- 
is  u'husetts  had  not  chilled  it  in  Maine,  would 
hav(>  recovered  the  conquered  territory 
there,  notwithstanding  the  enemy's  uiariue 


advantages.  For  the  battle  of  Plattsburg, 
four  thousand  Verniontt^rs,  by  forced  inarch- 
es, rushed  from  their  native  hills  to  action  ; 
and  with  some  advantages  of  position,  fa- 
vorable to  raw  troo))s,  repulsed  the  British 
veterans  with  admiral de  constancy.  Mr. 
Samuel  S.  Phelps,  now  and  long  a  distin- 
guished Senator  from  Vermont,  Mr.  Jacob 
Oollamer,  of  tiie  jiresent  House  of  Uopre- 
scntativcs,  and  the  father  of  I.ucius  P. 
Peck,  another  member  of  the  House  at 
present,  all  served,  with  many  more  citizens 
of  that  State,  on  that  occasion.  Tiie  whole 
people  were  up  in  arms  and  in  spirit,  so  that 
no  governor  or  constituted  authority  tiould 
hold  back  against  the  universal  impulse. 

From  the  commencement  of  that  era  of 
uninterrupted  and  wonderful  American 
successes  ev(U"ywhere,  by  land  and  water, 
we  may  invoke  the  London  journals  as  fui*- 
nishing  the  best  historical  accounts  that 
can  be  presented,  of  British  views,  plans, 
lio]ies,  fears,  confidence,  disai)pointments, 
and  mortifications,  from  the  capture  of 
Paris,  31st  March,  to  the  treaty  of  (ihent, 
24th  December,  1814. 

France  was  hardly  subdued  before  the 
eon(|uerors  were  ordered  to  Ameri(;a.  On 
the  'J9th  of  April,  1814,  a  number  of  the 
largest  class  of  transports  are  fitting  out — 
theCourier,oflicial  journal,  published — with 
all  speed  at  Pcu'tsmouth.  as  well  as  the  troop 
ships  at  that  port,  for  the  purpose,  it  is  sug- 
gested, of  going  to  IJordeau.^,  to  take  the 
most  cfl'ective  regiments  in  Lord  AVelling- 
ton's  army,  to  America.  On  the  19th  of 
May,  it  added,  "The  expedition  to  America 
is  ufioii  a  much  larger  scale  than  was  ori- 
ginally imagined.  "  A  man  attenn)ts  our 
life  and  fortune,  and  because  he  fails,  he  is 
to  expect  generosity  and  forbearance  from 
us  !  Why,  what  drivelling  doctrine  I  Lot 
us  insist  upon  a  full  indemnity.  Let  us 
interdict  them  from  the  Newfoundland 
fisheries.  As  to  Louisiana,  that  is  the  busi- 
ness of  Spain,  in  which  we  should  support 
her.  Let  us  insist  upon  their  recantation  of 
their  new-fangh'd  law,  ))y  which  they  would 
debaiK.di  our  subjects  from  their  allegiance  ; 
and  let  us  demand  their  ailoption  of  the 
law  of  nations  as  recogniz(>d  in  Europe. 
Tills  is  what  we  have  a  right  to  demand. 
This  is  not  vengeance,  but  justice.  Any- 
thing short  of  this  will  neither  satisfy  the 
demands  of  a  wise  pidicy,  nor  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  British  empire ." 

On  the  '21st  of  May,  it  said,  We  were 
glad  to  find  in  the  iialace  yard  meeting 
yestCi'day,  a  true  British  feeling  wltli 
regard  to  Ani-^rlca.  Viijomun  tr<tr  with 
Awen'rn,  we  repeat,  with  the  hard  hands 
and  honest  Innirts  that  applauded  that 
sentiment  yesterday;  vigorous  war!  till 
America  n(H;edes  lo  the  following  de- 
mands :  A  new  boundary  line  for  Canada ; 
a  new  boundary  for  the  Indians.  Th(>  in- 
dependence of  the  Indians,  and  the  int  ^- 


Chap.  VI.] 


ENGLISH  TESTIMONY. 

. — ♦ — 


135 


rity  of  thoir  iKtundaries,  to  1)0  puarantiod 
by'(«roiit  Britiiin  ;  the  Ainoricaiis  to  lie  cx- 
cfudc'd  fniiii  tho  fishoriuj*,  kc;  tlic  Ameri- 
cans to  bo  oxcludcd  from  all  iiitorcoursi! 
with  tlio  IJritish  West  India  islands;  the 
Americans  to  he  excluded  from  tradiiifi 
with  our  Kast  India  possessions  ;  and  their 
pretended  rij^ht  to  the  northwest  coast  of 
America  to  ho  extinguished  forever;  "the 
Americans  not  to  he  allowed  to  incorjmrato 
the  Floridas  with  their  republic;  and  the 
cession  of  New  Orleans  to  be  required,  in 
order  to  insure  us  the  due  ])ayment  of  a 
privilof^e  to  navipato  the  Mississippi.  Fi- 
nally, the  distinct  abandonment  of  the 
new-fanprled  American  public  law;  the  ad- 
mission of  the  international  law  as  it  is  at 
present  received  in  Euro]ie  ;  and  the  recog- 
nition of  our  rijrht  to  s(>arch. 

Apiain,  81st  May.  "  It  is  competed  that 
the  reinfor(!ements  which  hav(^  joined  Sir 
(ieorffe  Prevost,  siiu'o  the  lust  cam))ain;n, 
will  enable  him  to  take  the  field  with  an 
army  of  twenty  thousand  effective  men. 
This  force  will  move  ajrainst  tlu;  American 
army  from  the  Canadian  frontiers,  whilst 
twelve  thousand  of  tho  best  troojjs  of  the 
Duke  of  Wellini;;ton's  army  will  be*  landed 
on  the  American  shores.  Tho  re^jiments 
which  are  to  go  from  the  south  of  France, 
have  all  arrived  at  IJordeaux  to  embark." 

29th  September.  "  Peace  they  may  make, 
but  it  must  be  on  tho  condition  that  Ame- 
rica has  not  a  foot  of  land  on  the  waters 
of  the  St.  Lawrence.  Our  Canada  frontier 
must  bo  secured  by  an  extension  of  ter- 
ritory ;  the  Americans  must  have  uo  settle- 
ment on  tho  lakes." 

13th  October.  "From  tho  American 
coast  wo  are  in  liourly  expectation  of  re- 
ceiving new  successes.  A  letter  from  St. 
Johns,  about  twelve  miles  distant  from 
Lake  Champlain,  announces  the  rapid  ad- 
vance of  the  IJritish  army  in  tiiat  direction, 
and  holds  out  a  hope  that  ihe  American 
flotilla  on  that  lake  will  bo  captured  or 
burnt  in  its  harlior." 

A  month  before  that  vain  hope,  the 
Ame/ican  flt)tilla  had  captured  that  of  Great 
Britain;  and  vvithiu  a  week,  tho  London 
official  press  was  constrained  to  dole  out 
the  m(d;iucIioly  reverses  of  high-wrought 
expectations. 

On  tho  17th  October,  the  death  o*"  General 
Ross  (descrilxHl  as  one  of  tho  orightest 
ornaments  of  his  profession)  was  an- 
nounced. 

On  the  18th  October.  "American  pajiers 
have  been  received  to  the  17th  Si^pteinber. 
Wo  regret  to  state  that  they  are  of  an  un- 
favorable nature.  Our  flotilla  upon  Lake 
Champlain  has  been  attacked,  and,  accord- 
ing to  the  American  papers,  taken  or  dtv 
stroyed.  Sir  George  Provost  had  advanced 
from  Odletown  to  Plattsburg,  which  ho 
attacked.  The  American  general,  MacomV), 
was  stationed  there  with  a  strong  force,  aud 


a  battle  is  said  to  have  boon  fought  on  the 
10th  September." 

'22d  October.  "  AVe  have  received  some 
more  details  from  iMontreal  papers,  and 
]irivate  lett(!rs.  r(<lativ(!  to  the  lat(>  op(!ra- 
tions  on  LakeChamplain  and  at  Plattsburg; 
aud  it  is  with  infinite  regret  that  we  state, 
that  the  pictiire  they  draw  is  very  differtmt 
from  what  we  hatl  expecteil.  These  jour- 
nals and  private  letters  assert  that  the  most 
am))!o  preparations  were  made  for  tluj  ex- 
pedition against  Plattsliurg,  and  tiiat  a 
force  of  not  less  than  14,(l<iO  men,  unilor 
tho  command  of  General  Sir  (ioorge  Pro- 
vost, and  immediately  led  by  Major-Gene- 
ral  Brisbane,  l'ow(!r,  &c.,  had  pr»  ceoded  to 
Lake  Champlain  for  this  pur])ose." 

24th  October.  "  Major-Cieneral  the  ILm. 
Sir  Edward  Pakenham  is,  we  understand, 
aii])ointed  to  succeed  tho  late  lamented 
General  Uoss  in  the  command  which  h(! 
held  in  our  American  army.  This  gallant 
oilici'r  is  brother-in-law  to  tlie  Puke  of  Wel- 
lington and  brother  of  tho  Earl  of  Long- 
ford. ][<>  was  adjutant-general  of  tin;  British 
army  in  the  late  Peninsular  war,  and  is  an 
officer  of  distirguishcid  merit." 

On  tho  2r)th  October,  with  the  account 
of  tho  defeat  of  the  army  and  fleet  at 
Plattsburg,  it  is  added,  "One  impression, 
we  presume,  is  made  upon  every  mind,  that 
]K'ac(i  w  ith  America  is  neither  practicable 
nor  desirable  until  wo  have  wiped  away 
this  last  disgrace." 

27th  October.  "  The  Hon.  Major-General 
Sir  E.  Pakenham  transacted  business  yester- 
day with  Lord  Bathurst  at  his  office  in 
Dcnvning  Street.  Ho  is  expected  to  leave 
town  on  Saturday  to  take  a  command  in 
America.  Tho  hostile  min<l  of  the  .Jeffer- 
son pa'"ty  against  this  country  is  not  only 
not  modeiatod,  but  it  is  become  more  ma- 
lignant than  ever." 

28th  October.  "  We  have  aiade  some  ex- 
tracts from  the  Boston  papi'i's.  Th(>y  an; 
loud  in  their  exultation  at  their  success  at 
Plattsburg.  Sorry  are  wo  to  say  that  they 
have  but  too  much  reasoi'   ' 

2',1th  October.  "  There  was  a  report  last 
night  that  the  negotiation  at  Ghent  had 
finally  broken  oft'.  AV\;  do  not  believe  this, 
biut  peace  with  America  is  neither  desira- 
ble nor  practicable  till  we  have  wiped  away, 
by  fresh  successes,  tho  latt^  disasters  on 
Lake  Champlain.  Major-General  Gibbs 
accompanies  the  Hon.  Sir  E.  ^I.  J'akonluuu 
to  America,  in  the  Statira  frigate." 

By  November,  the  mercury  sunk  from 
fever,  above  Ijlood  heat,  to  Ijelow  the  freezing 
point;  and  then  it  was  sonii-oflicially  puli- 
iished,  that  "(Jreat  preparations  are  mak- 
ing to  send  out  to  India  all  the  troops  that 
■Mvn  be  spared  from  tho  increased  exigencies 
of  tho  war  in  America;  and  not  a  single 
disposable  corps  in  the  country  will  bo  left 
uusent  to  one  of  those  situations  or  tho 
other." 


I'   ' 


.•(!•«■:  ■-: 


■m^ 


•1,'  V-  .'■'  ii 

.-ii: 


'.'(■ 


<l 


136 


ENGLISH  TESTIMONY. 

— * — 


[1814. 


ClIAF. 


^) 


f'i. 


4 


Tho  fifiii'iiil  pross,  Avith  its  luiiiistoriiil 
disclosures,  is  not  tlm  oitly  i'ii<le  iiicciiin  for 
tlioso  Itritisli  iinkiiowl('(l<iincnts  iif  Aiiu'ric;vn 
triiimphs.  To  tlio  (.'oiirior  wo  csin  mid  tiio 
Tiiiios   nows)m])or,  with  its  oxtoiisivc^  iin- 

i)rossi(in  on  tiio  wliv>l('  Kuroiwiiti  us  well  as 
Miglisii  mind.  Tluit  jonrniil  enjoyod  ii  liij^ii 
r(>putiition  for  fiiirncss,  andoxcniittion  from 
11  mi'ro  factious  Mjiii'it  of  ojjitosition  to  tiio 
};ov(M'niiM'nt,  its  ambition  licing  rather  to 
litter  inde]ien(Ii'ntly  tlie  hm;.  ia;;e  of  Britisli 
feeling  and  IJritish  interests.  The  follow- 
iufX  arc  extracts  from  it. 

17th  May,  1814.  "Wo  shall  inrjuirc  a 
littlo  into  the  American  title  to  Luiiisiana, 
&c."  "When  they  behold  such  an  importa- 
tion as  they  never  before  witnessed,  fntm 
IJordeaux,  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
they  will  hasten  to  show  the  sincerity  of 
their  rcpontancc,"  &c. 

'24th  May.  "  They  are  struck  to  the  heart 
with  t(!rror  for  their  im]H'ndiMj;'  punishment; 


ducivo  to  the  interests  of  France."  "This 
writer  says,  '  we  put  up  Niucero  vows  that 
tho  country  of  AN  ashinj?ton  and  Franklin 
may  preserve  its  independence,  and  not  fall 
aj^ain  under  the  yoke  of  FiUjihind.'  What 
would  tiie  jonrmilist  say,  if  wo  were  to 
declare!  we  put  up  sincere  vows  that  the  coun- 
try of  Toussaint  (a  man  e(|ual  in  virtue  to 
AV  ashiiifiton,  and  far  snjierior  to  Franklin) 
may  preserve  its  indcpeiKlence,  and  not  fall 
af^ain  und(>r  the  yoke  of  France;?  Under 
the  head  of  Vienna,  the;  same  jtmrnalist  in- 
forms us,  that  Prince  Talleyraixl  has  prc- 
senteel,  or  was  about  t((  j>resunt,  an  imiiorfc- 
ant  note  to  the  Congress.  It  is,  no  doubt, 
n;eant  to  be  insinuated,  and,  indeed,  jn-ivate 
accounts  from  Paris  };o  to  that  effect,  that 
the  note  is  tit  nrf:;(!  the  continental  powers 
to  adojit  some  princi]de  bostile  to  our  naval 
preponihirance,  under  tho  ]>retence  of  es- 
tablisiiin^  some  imjirovenu^nt  in  the  law  of 
nations,  some  code  of  maritime  law  more 


and,  oh,  may  no  false  liberality,  no  mistaken  [  lenient  to  neutral  trade, 
li'uity,  no  weak  and  cowardly  pidicy,  inter- j  22d  Sentembor.  "It  is  trne  that  at  tho 
pose  to  save  them  from  the  lilow.  Strike!  j  other  ex:reuiity  of  the  United  States,  the 
chastise  the  savages — for  such  they  are  in  a  i  war  is  becominj;  cxceedin<ily  odious.  The 
much  truer  sense  than  the  followers  ofiVirj^inia  farmer,  a  selHsh  mortal  at  tho 
Tocumseh  or  the  Prophet.     The  prospect ;  best,  bej^ins  to  feel  the  personal  pressure  of 


they  present  is  so  cheerinj^.  an<l  we  cannot 
]iut  natter  ourselves,  that  if  all  our  rein- 
forcements reach  the  intended  scene  of 
operations  in  due  time,"  &c.  &c. 

7th  October.     "This  is  not  the  lan}>;ua<»e, 


indeed,  of  ccuirtly  nej;otiators,  but  i;  is  that '  ter,  &c." 


war,  levies,  and  contributions,  and  is  ready 
to  execrate,  &c.  Alarms,  too,  arc  spread 
Oi'  British  troojxs  landing  in  Florida;  of 
expeditions  against  (ieorgia;  of  distribu- 
tions  of  arms   to   Indians  in  that  quar- 


of  conquerors,  which,  wo  trust,  we  s'nall  Vie  i 
well  entitled  to  use  at  the  end  of  the  pre- 
sent campaign." 

14th  October.  "There  is  littlo  douht 
that  the  account  of  our  troops  licing  in  jios- 
Hossion  of  Plattsliurg  is  correct.  Letters 
are  said  to  have  reached  town  from  thence, 
ilated  three  days  sultsequent  to  the  entry  of 
tho  British.  One  of  the  writers  spea'iS  of 
the  great  alarm  the  Americans  are  in,  and 
adds,  with  great  good  reason,  for  we  are 
prepared  to  give  them  a  tvemeudous  good 
druldiing." 

21st  October.  "  Tho  ship  which  Imiught 
over  the  a<'.count  of  the  Champlain  disaster, 
■was  tho  Ajax,  a  Dutch  shij)-of-war,  which 
had  carried  out  the  Dutch  minister  to  the 
United  States,  a  measure  which  we  think 
the  Prince  should  not  so  hastily  have  adopt- 
ed. They  should  have  remembered  that  the 
fate  of  war  was  uncertain  ;  that  the  jtrescnt 
chiefs  of  tho  American  (lovernment  have 
1)0011  snbj(!cts  of  the  English  crown,  and 
rebels  from  their  ailegiance;  and  that  it  is 
no  miracle  in  the  present  tlay  to  see  nations 
throw  off  the  galling  yoke  of  rebel  chiefs, 
and  rcfturn  to  tho  jiater.ial  government  of 
their  natural  sovereigns,  &c.  We  do  not 
wonder  to  hear  sentiments  of  regard  for 
those  wretches  expros  ed  by  tho  writers  in 
tho  .Journal  do  Paris,  whose  short-sighted 
policy  leads  them  to  consider  everything 
that  is  purulcious  tu  Great  Britain  is  cuu- 


2r)th  Oct(d)er.  "Now  we  have  reduced 
ourselves  to  the  dilemma  of  being  obliged 
to  carry  our  point  by  main  force,  or  to  re- 
tire from  the  contest  ten  times  worse  than 
we  began  it ;  with  tho  mere  postjionement 
of  an  abstract  question  which  lias  no  re- 
ference to  our  present  state  of  peace  ;  with 
a  fund  of  tho  bitterest  animosity  laid  up 
against  us  in  future ;  with  our  flag  dis- 
graced on  the  ocean  and  the  hikes;  and 
with  tho  laurels  Avitliered  at  Plattslmrg, 
which  were  so  hardly,  })ut  so  gloriously 
earned,  in  Portugal,  Spain,  and  Franco." 

Afterwards,  on  the  I'ith  of  November, 
1814,  deploring  anti'  ipated  disgraceful 
peace,  the  Times  said:  "To  have  taught 
tho  Americans  to  bet  lis  by  land  and 
water  ;  to  retire  from  the  contest  with  tho 
disgrace  of  Lake  Champlain  and  Platts- 
burg  on  our  backs." 

3d  December.  "  Suggestions  arc  copied 
from  the  Canadian  papers,  as  to  tho  neces- 
sity of  having  all  the  country  along  tlie 
St.  Lawrence,  liotween  Kingston  and  Mont- 
real. These  considerations  will  demand 
our  most  serious  consideration  when  we 
collie  to  be  i,i  a  condition  to  conclude  peace, 
without  disgrace  to  our  military  and  naval 
character,  which  cannot  bo  till  after  we 
have  wi]>ed  away  some  of  those  stains 
which  the  glory  of  Britain  has  so  unac- 
countably endured." 

0th  December.    "  On  a  par  with  the  folly 


i 


CiiAr.  VI.] 


ENGLISH  MOANS. 


137 


(if  afTftrnndi/ing  Rnssia  and  Austi'ft,  would 
1)0  tlu)  infamy  (if  odiKdiidin^;  ii  di  ;;rat'('f\il 
])(>a('i!  with  till!  United  >Stut(!H  of  j.nicricii ; 
and  yet  any  peaiMi  w(>  can  now  (•onehuhs 
must  he  diHr;ract;ful.  AVo  Iiavo  not  cured 
tli(>  wound  snistaiued  wlien  the  tlaj;  of  the 
(iu('rri(jre  was  ntrmrk.  Tlie  Anieri(!aii  navy 
i>i  far  (greater  at  this  day,  aiul  infinit(dy 
more  proud,  than  it  wan  when  tho  war 
hofjan.  The  American  army,  then  a  mere 
jest  end  l)urlcs(|UO,  b(^}^ins  now  to  count  its 
laurels.  Nevortheloss  we  are  forced  to  ac- 
knowled^^e  that  the  rumor  of  a  speedy  ad- 
justment of  difficulties  (as  they  aro  d(di- 
cately  t(Tmed),  hetwcen  us  and  ^Nmerica, 
continu(>s  to  ac»{uire  (ionsistency.  «ts  etl'ect 
is  ftdt  in  the  state  of  tho  funds,  ard  in  the 
prices  of  American  produce.  Th(;  story  is, 
that  the  Kni^lish  ministers  have,  in  the  vul- 
<;ar  jdirase,  'knocked  under;'  in  other 
W()rds,  having  impcditicly  advanced  tenns 
which  would  have  heen  justified  only  by  a 
vi<i;( irons  and  successful  canijiaif^n,  they 
liave,  in  consefjuenee  of  tho  disaster  on 
Lake  Chami)lain,  fallen,  in  an  e(|ual  dcjiree, 
lielow  tho  just  expectations  of  the  nation. 
To  all  such  tales,  however,  we  aro  back- 
ward in  K'vitiK  credence." 

L'Uh  l)(!cemb(^r.  "If  wo  could  pvo  credit 
to  reports  circulated  yesterday,  with  much 
confidon(;e,  wo  should  believe  that  ministers 
had  sacrificed  tho  f^'ory  and  best  interests 
of  tho  country  by  a  premature  peace  with 
the  Americans.  Unfortunately,  however, 
for  tho  credit  of  this  assertion,  wo  at  the 
same  time  hear  that  the  most  active  mea- 
sures aro  pursuinj^  for  detaching  from  the 
dominion  of  the  enemy  a  very  important 
part  of  his  territory.  Accounts  from  Ber- 
muda to  tho  11th  ultimo,  inform  us  that  all 
the  disposalile  shipping  in  that  (juarter  had 
been  S(?nt  off  to  the  Mississippi.  Sir  Alex- 
and(>r  (Cochrane  left  Halifax  at  the  latter 
end  of  October,  for  tho  same  destination  ; 
and  a  large  boily  of  troops  from  Jamaica 
were  expected  to  assemble  at  tho  same 
point.  It  can  hardly  be  supposed,  that 
while  they  (tho  ministry),  are  so  largely 
Bacrificing  the  national  resources,  with  the 
one  han(i,  they  will  render  tho  (d)ject  of 
the  sacrifice  altogether  null  with  the  other. 
The  American  navy  gi'ows  under  tho  pres- 
puro  of  a  contest  with  tho  greatest  naval 
f<M'co  that  over  existed.  Paradoxical  as 
this  ajipears,  it  is  a  simple  fai^t;  and  it 
proves  mrro  than  a  thousand  arguments, 
the  utter  injpossiltility  thtsro  is  of  conclud- 
ing a  peace  at  tho  present  moment,  with 
out  rendering  ours(dves  tho  contempt  of 
our  antagonists,  and  the  ridicule  of  all  the 
world  besides.  Shall  wo  aUow  the  (iuor- 
I'ierii  to  go  tii  sea  with  impunity,  and  to 
bear  to  every  part  of  tho  world  a  visible 
record  of  our  shame  in  that  defeat  which 
entailed  on  us  so  .nany  subse((Uont  dis- 
graces? A  new  frigate  of  that  name, 
luouutiug  sixty-four  guus,  is  at  I'hilaUel- 


phia,  nearly  ready  for  sea.  The  Washing- 
ton, another  new  ship,  carrying  ninety 
g\ms,  is  fitting  very  fast  for  sea,  at  ISoston  ; 
and  tho  Iiulc|iendence,  of  ninety  g'  lia.-< 
iiiH'n  recently  constriu'ti'd  at  Ports.  <itli. 
in  New  liampsliir(!.  Tin;  last  ntentionod 
vess(d  is  (ronsidered  to  be  more  than  a 
nuit(di  for  the  largest  nmn-of-w«r  over  built 
in  Kngland." 

"27th  Pccember.  Peace  with  America  is 
announced.  'J'hose  who  have  attendcvl  to 
tho  obs(>rvations  which  we  have  from  time 
to  time  thought  it  our  duty  to  make  on  the 
war  so  iuii|uitously  waged  against  (Jroat 
Britain  by  the  (himinant  faclio))  in  Anu-rica, 
may  form  some  idej\  of  the  feelings  with 
which  we  announce  tho  fatal  intelligence, 
that  a  treaty  of  peace  was  sign(!d  at  (;ilient, 
on  Saturday  last,  the  24th  instant,  sulject, 
of  course,  to  the  ratiKcation  of  both  govern- 
ments. The  ttn-ms  of  this  deadly  instru- 
ment aro  understood  to  be,  in  substance, 
nearly  as  follows,  &c.  &c. 

"  AVo  do  not  mean  to  avoid  the  force  of  tb'> 
groat  argument  for  peace,  whi(di  is  foiii: 
on  thepressurcofthoexisting taxes, "&c.  >"- 

"2Hth  December.  AVithimt  (entering  ii,  > 
the  details  of  the  treaty  (on  which  we  h.wig 
much  to  observe  heroaftta"),  weeimfess  tiiat 
we  look  axixiously  to  its  non-ratification, 
because  we  hope  an  opportunity  will  be 
oflfered  to  our  brave  seamen  to  retire  from 
the  contest,  not  as  they  now  arc,  beaten  and 
disgracivl,  not  with  tho  loss  of  the  trident, 
which  Nelson,  when  dying,  jilaced  in  his 
country's  grasp,  but  with  an  ample  and 
full  revenge  for  the  captures  of  tho  (Juor- 
riere,  Macedonian,  and  Java,  and  the  nu- 
merous other  ships  that  have  been  suvreii- 
dered  on  the  ocean ;  besides  tho  whole 
flotillas  destroyed  on  Lake  Erie  and  Lake 
Champlain.  Lt^t  us  not  deceive  ourselves : 
these  victories  have  given  birth  to  a  spirit 
which,  if  not  checked,  will  in  n  few  years 
create  an  American  navy  truly  formidable. 
Th(>y  have  excited  in  other  nations  who  fool- 
ishly envy  our  maritime  pi-eponderance,  an 
undissembled  joy  at  beholduig  our  course 
so  powerfully  arrested. 

"  As  to  the  opinion  that  peace  with  Ame- 
rica is  necessary  to  preserve  our  European 
iiifhu^nce,  anybody  may  see  that  political 
weight  and  influence  can  never  l>o  gained 
by  subnussiiD ;  by  abandoning  what  wo  pro- 
posed as  a  sill",  quit  nnn;  by  waiving  all 
(|Uestiou  on  our  disputeil  maritime  rights  ; 
or  by  jiatching  up  a  hollow  peace  at  the 
very  moment  when  our  adversary  is  dou- 
bling his  military  force,  and  threatens  to 
push  ihe  war  into  our  provinces. 

"20th  December,  Ihiblic  credit  must 
eventually  suffer;  for  it  is  thegontn-al  opin- 
ion that  nothing  but  the  probaliility  of  a 
new  war  in  Europo  could  have  occasioned 
the  disgraceful  compronjisc  of  our  t'"  nsai- 
lantic  quarrel.  Unable  as  wo  ai"o  to  ,_;ene- 
trato  tlio  thick  veil  which  hangs  over  tho 


■■■:  \r. 


■■..c'i:. 


U 


138 


ENGLISH  DISGUST  AT  PEACE. 

-• — 


[1814. 


VX-]  H 


■  i'' 


/•.St 


n 


•^7.* 


:   it;' 


llri 


.■*  ■ 

a.  3 


ropotiation  at  Vionna,  it  is  not  for  us  to  I  "31st  Decom1>or,  WIiothr>rMr.  MmliMon 
Htvy  what  diirk  iniicliiimtioiis  iijjinHt  tlu«  l»o-l  inay  or  may  not  ratify  tlii^  treaty  of  (Jliciit, 
nor  niid  interest  of  Knj^land  may  he  lire\v-l  will  jjerhaps  (lerieiid  on  tli((  n'siilt  oi'  the 
""" ''  """  '    — '  '^    exjieilition    "      *  t^^ 


inp  there ;  but  urj^ent  and  HcriotiH  nuist 
tlu'sc  danj^ei.^  lie  if  they  toueh  hh  closer 
than  the  defeats  we  have  reeeived,  by  sea 
nnd  land,  from  the  once  despised  amis  of 
America.  It  nniy  suit  jiarty  writers  to  make 
Tcy  li^^ht  of  such  considerations.  The 
ministerialist  may  affect  to  forjjet  that  the 
Urltish  tlaj;  was  ever  struck  to  the  Ameri- 
can. The  oppositionist  mav  tell  you  that, 
in  spite  of  national  humiliation  and  the  <lis- 
credit  hroii^h*  on  the  country,  he  rejoities, 
because  ministers  have  humbled  themselves 
to  the  dtist.  AVitli  the  principles  which  we 
have  uniformly  maintained,  with  a  zealous 
atl'ection  for  tlie  interests  of  the  country, 
anil  th.at  which  is  its  best  .nterest,  its  honor, 
each  of  these  modes  of  considering  this  im- 
portant subject  is  alike  inconsistent.  It  is 
inconsistent  with  common  sense  to  deny 
tliiit  our  naval  reputation  has  been  Ijlasted 
in  this  short  but  disastrous  war.  It  is  in- 
consistent with  the  spirit  and  fcelinij^s  of 
Englishmen  not  to  regret  that  the  means  of 
retrieving  that  refiutation  are  cut  off  by  a 
premature  and  inglorious  pcsace.  llttstili- 
ties  are  not  to  cease.  This  part  of  the 
treaty,  at  least,  we  hope,  will  be  religiously 
attended  to  l)y  government, 

"30th  December.  Even  yet,  however, 
if  we  could  but  clo.se  the  war  with  some 
great  naval  triumph,  the  reputatii)n  of  our 
maritime  greatness  might  be  partially  re- 
stored ;  but  to  say  that  it  has  not  hitherto 
suffered  in  the  estimation  of  all  Europe, 
and  wliat  is  worse,  of  America,  is  to  belie 
common  sense  and  universal  e.Kperience. 
Two  or  three  of  our  ships  have  struck  to  a 
force  vastly  superior.  No:  not  two  or  three; 
but  man}-  on  the  ocean,  and  whole  squad- 
rons on  the  lakes ;  and  their  numbers  are 
to  be  viewed  with  relation  to  the  compara- 
tive magnitude  of  the  two  navies.  Scarcely 
i.s  tliere  an  American  ship  of  war  which 
has  not  to  boast  a  victory  over  the  British 
flag.  Scarcelj'one  British  ship  in  thirty  or 
forty  that  has  beaten  an  American.  Be  it 
accident,  or  be  it  misconduct,  we  inquire 
not  noAv  into  the  cause.  The  certain,  the 
inevitable  consequences  are  what  we  look 
to,  and  those  may  l)o  summed  up  in  a  few^ 
vrords, — the  speedy  growth  of  an  American 
navy,  and  the  recurrence  of  a  new  and  much 
more  formidable  American  war.  From  that 
fatal  moment  when  the  flag  of  the  Guerriere 
was  struck,  there  has  been  quite  a  rage  for 
building  ships  of  war  in  the  United  States. 
Wo  are  well  convinced  that  every  ship  and 
every  soldier  employed  in  maintaining  the 
vital  contest  for  our  maritime  ascendency, 
far  from  diminishing,  will  add  a  propor- 
tional weight  to  our  influence  at  Vienna. 
But  in  truth,  Vionna  and  all  its  fetes  and 
all  its  negotiations  are  infinitely  insignifi- 
cant to  U8  uow  compared  with,"  &c.  &c. 


ol 

to  New  Orleans.  'I'lie  forces 
from  Falmouth  and  Cork,  siij)posed  to  have 
been  destined  for  that  exjieditiun,  appear, 
by  hitters  brought  by  the  Amphion,  not  to 
have  touched  at  Bermuda,  but  to  have  pro- 
ceeded direct  to  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, whither  Admiral  Cockburn  followful 
them  with  such  vessels  as  he  could  collect. 
The  permanent  occupation  of  New  Orh^ans 
would  be  a  fatal  blow  to  the  American 
views  of  aggrandizement  on  the  side  of  Lou- 
isiana ;  I'ut  that  blow  Mr.  Madison  has  it 
now  in  his  power  to  parry  by  a  mere  stroke 
of  the  pen.  On  the  other  liand,  if  the  (>x- 
pedition  should  encounter  any  serious  ob- 
stacles, he  Avould  proliably  delay  it,  if  not 
wholly  refuse  to  ratify  the  treaty. 

Tth'January,  1815.  Referring  to  the  cap- 
ture of  IVnsacola  by  General  Jackson,  the 
Times  says:  "It  is  true  that  eigl  t  or  ten 
tlmusand  British  troops  will  soon  b'^  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Floridas,  nnd  jnight 
with  ease  cut  oft'  General  Jackson  and  his 
motley  crew ;  but  their  operations  will  be 
doubtless  paralyzed  by  the  President's  rati- 
fication of  the  treaty," 

31st  January,  "By  letters  received  yes- 
terday from  Jamaica,  we  learn  that  the  force 
destined  against  New  Orleans,  consisting 
of  aliout  ten  thousand  men,  saileil  from 
Negril  bay,  in  tha;  island,  on  the  2.^tli  of 
November,  The  u; n.il  run  fiH>m  thence  to 
New  Orleans,  scarcely  ever  exceeds  a  fort- 
night ;  so  that  the  whole  might  be  expected 
to  be  before  that  city  on  the  12th  of  Decem- 
ber, and  proba1)ly  to  have  made  themselves 
masters  of  it  by  the  24th,  the  day  when  the 
gratuitous  cession  of  all  our  concpiests  to  a 
barlmrous  enemy,  was  so  magnanimously 
made  at  Ghent." 

Were  it  necessary,  a  surfeit  of  similar 
confessions  might  be  extracted  fnun  the 
British  press,  and  superadded  to  the  leading 
articles,  thus  somewhat  copiously  incin-po- 
rated  with  my  text;  and  that  press  will  bo 
again  often  called  on  to  testify.  But  for 
the  present,  enough  is  presented  to  prove, 
without  disparagement  to  our  alile  ministiu's 
in  Europe,  whtise  merits  shall  not  be  over- 
looked or  undervalued,  that  peace  was  not 
made  exclusively  at  Ghent,  nor  by  solicitiv- 
tion  or  negotiation ;  butthat  Chippewa,  Erie, 
Bridgewater,  and  Plattsburg,  were  peace- 
makers more  persuasive  than  the  Congress 
at  Vienna,  the  English  income  tax,  the  ma- 
nufacturers' cry,  or  the  pauper's  wail.  Love 
of  peace,  an  American  attachment  as  preva- 
lent as  European  addiction  to  war — an 
American  sentiment,  too,  to  be  cultivated 
as  the  European  fre([uency,  cruelties,  and 
expenses  of  war  are  to  be  deprecated — 
American  love  of  peace  becomes  an  infirm- 
ity when  it  undervalues  the  science  of 
indispensable  hostilities,  or  tlie  pacific  im- 


[181}. 

r  Mr.  Madison 
■iity  of  (ilicrit, 
result  of  tho 
'I'lio  forccH 
posed  to  liiivo 
litioii,  iijipenr, 
pliion,  not  to 
t  to  have  |iro- 
)f  tlio  Missis- 
burn  followed 
eould  eolloet. 
New  Orleans 
lie  Anieriean 
0  side  of  Fiou- 
adison  lias  it 
a  mere  stroke 
nd,  if  the  ex- 
ly  serious  oh- 
L>lay  it,  if  not 
•aty. 

n>;  to  the  eap- 
Jackson,  tho 
ei;rl  t  or  ten 
oon  1"'  in  the 
s,  and  ;iiif;hfc 
kson  and  his 
tions  will  1)0 
ssident's  rati- 

rccoived  yes- 
that  the  for(!0 
IS,  oonsistinf^ 
sailed  from 
the  2Stli  of 
om  thence  to 
eeeds  a  fort- 
t  be  expected 
!th  of  Deeem- 
le  themselves 
lay  when  tho 
on(juests  to  a 
gnanimously 

it  of  similar 
od  from  tho 
0  tholeadinf; 
isly  incorpo- 
press  will  ho 
fy.  But  for 
ted  to  )irovo, 
hie  ministers 
not  ])0.  ovor- 
?ace  was  not 
•  by  solii^itii- 
ppowa,  Erie, 
were  peacc- 
Jic  Conpiress 
tax,  the  ma- 
8  wail.  Lovo 
ent  as  preva- 
to  war — an 
e  cultivated 
puelties,  and 
leprecated — 
(S  an  infirni- 
i  science  of 
!  pacllic  iiu- 


Chap.  VI.] 


RECEXT'S  SPEECHES. 


no 


fiortanco  of  domonstrated  national  capacity 
or  war. 

Till-  colonial  press  reverberated,  indeed 
preceded,  the  Metropolitan,  in  the;  iiniver- 
nal  British  moan  for  the  loss  of  naval  domi- 
nion, 'file  Italifax  Journal  of  the  I'.dtli  of 
October,  IS  14,  repuldished  from  a  Quebec 
paper: 

"The  victory  piined  by  tho  Americans 
on  Ti!ike  Krie  has  excited  enthusiastic  joy 
throughout  the  I'nited  States.  'I'he  two 
preat  political  parties  in  that  country  arc; 
viciiif!;  with  eacli  other  for  tlu;  honor  of  that 
victory  ;  and  all  ojiposition  to  the  war  seems 
for  a  tiiiK!  to  beforjiotten  in  tlio;rrntilication 
of  national  pride  which  it  has  affordeij. 

"Tlie  contest,  if  it  ou;^ht  ever  to  have  )>een 
po  called,  b('tw(!i'n  (ireat  Uritain  and  tli<' 
IJiiiteil  States  on  the  water,  has  beeii  in- 
deed ^ratifyinj^  to  the  Americans,  and  mor- 
tifvin;:;  to  tho  IJritish  subjects  beyond  any- 
thing that  could  hav(^  been  fij;ured  by  tin? 
utmost  stret<'li  of  ima<.'ination  :  vesscds  of 
nn  inferior  class  have  been,  as  it  were, 
thrown  into  the  way  of  the  enemy's  ves- 
sels, fresh  from  port,  fully  prepared,  and 
manned  with  pick(M_l  seamen,  so  as  at  least 
to  attbrd  them  a  scml)lanco  of  siiperiority 
over  llritisli  officers  and  seamen  beyond 
what  was  over  iibtained  by  the  most  power- 
ful and  brave  of  the  numerous  nations  with 
whom  they  have  contended. 

"How  long  this  dis<rrn.ceful  state  of  things 
is  to  last,  wo  cann((t  tell;  Imt  if  it  is  not 
(piickly  remedied,  wo  arc  sure  that  it  will 
not  only  prove  ruinous  to  tlieso  provinces, 
luit  dangerous  to  tho  naval  existence  of 
IJritish  greatness,  wliich  has  i;riscn  from 
tho  superiority  of  hor  naval  officers  and 
seamen  over  those  of  every  other  nation  ; 
for,  although  the  Americans  cannot,  for  the 
present,  with  their  eight  frigates,  destroy 
the  two  hundred  ships  of  tho  lino  of  (Sreat 
Britain,  tlioir  success  will  infuse  fresh  vigor 
into  all  her  enemies,  which  ought  always 
to  bo  counted  as  consisting,  or  likely  to 
consist,  of  every  nation  that  navigates  the 
ocean.  Tho  good  citizens  of  London  may 
triumph  in  their  victories  in  Spain  and 
I'ortugal,  l)ut  tlio  conciucrors  of  Vittoria, 
and  the  Pyrenees  will  no  longer  defend 
England,  should  sfio  suffer  tlie  scejitro  of 
tho  ocean  to  slip  out  of  lu.'r  liands.  Then, 
in  the  insulting  language  of  one  who  hates 
Jior,  she  must  take  the  rank  among  na- 
tions to  which  her  pojiulation  and  territo- 
rial resources  entitle  hor — the  rank  from 
which  hor  trade  and  seamen  luvvo  raised 
hor — wo  must  roccivo  governors  from  Rome, 
and  kings  from  Nornnindy." 

It  is  not  tho  pufdic  journals  of  England, 
however,  on  which  wo  are  to  r«}ly  alone  for 
the  history  of  tho  Canadian  campaign  of 
1H14.  Proofs  of  tho  highest  and  umpiostitm- 
al)le  authenticity  remain  to  bo  accumulated. 
In  tho  regent's  before-mentioned  s|peeches 
to  Parliament,  that  of  tho  SOth  July,  re- 


ferring to  tho  United  States  as  the  only 
remaining  enemy  of  (ireat  Hritain,  addeil, 
"I  am  persuaded  you  will  see  the  necessity 
of  mv  availing  niys(>lf  of  the  meiins  now  at 
my  ilisjiosal,  to  prosecute  the  war  with  in- 
creased vigor  ;"  ami  in  the  sjiecch  of  the  Stii 
of  Xovember,  ISI  f,  referring  to  the  accu- 
mulation of  Itritish  troojis,  ho  sai<l,  "  I 
avaih'd  myself  of  the  earliest  oiuiortunity 
afforded  by  the  state  of  affairs  in  Europe  to 
iletail  a  consideralile  military  forc(!  to  tho 
St.  Ijiiwrcnci',  notwithstanding  the  reverses 
which  appcari'il  to  liavc^  o<'curred  on  Lake 
Chainplain.  I  entertain  th<!  most  confident 
expectation,  as  well  from  the  amount  as 
from  tho  description  of  the  liritish  force  in 
Canada,  that  tho  asci'ndency  of  his  majes- 
tv's  arms  throughout  that  part  of  North 
America  will  bo  effectually  established." 

Eor  the  invasions  of  Ncnv  York  and  Lou- 
isiana, what  in  the  estimate  of  the  ))est 
British  officers  was  deemed  the  maximum 
of  force  necessary  to  overrun  and  subdnt! 
each,  viz:  fourteen  thousand  men,  were 
organized  of  veteran  troops,  led  by  tried 
conunanders,  supported  liy  superior  naval 
s(|uadrons,  and  altogether  ((luilified,  as  was 
supposed,  to  effect  the  great  end  of  British 
lesson  to  America,  not  again  to  venture 
upon  war  with  tluit  proud  and  mighty 
emjiirc. 

Tho  regent  himself  was  privy,  and  as 
far  as  so  indolei\t  an  old  voluptuary  could 
bo  party  to,  the  plan  of  campaign  defeated 
at  Plattsbiirg.  English  history  is  ahuost 
silent  as  to  that  invasion,  of  which  no 
account  is  extant  beyond  tho  dry  outline 
of  Sir  George  Provost's  official  dispatch, 
written  in  defeat  and  dismay  tho  night 
of  his  retreat.  But  that,  and  doulitless 
therefore,  in  order  to  excuse  liimself  and 
show  that  ho  had  done  all  he  could  to 
execute  liis  orders,  expressly  ascribes  them 
to  tho  ministry,  juirsuant  to  whose  plana 
fourteen  thousand  men  were  sent  from 
Eurojjo  for  tho  invasion  of  Now  York, 
(and  fourteen  thousand  more  for  tho  in- 
vasion of  Louisiana.)  Of  the  attack  at 
Plattsburg,  tho  commander-in-chief's  official 
report  is  that  "upon  the  arrival  of  the  roin- 
forcemonts  from  the  Garonne,  he  lost  no  time 
in  assembling  tho  rocjuisite  force,  plainly 
predicating  a  plan  matured  in  London,  for 
the  purpose,"  ho  adds,  "of  carrying  into 
effect  his  royal  highness,  the  princ(«  regent's 
commands,  which  had  been  conveyed  to  mn 
by  your  lordship  in  your  dispatch  of  the  Sd 
Juno  last:"  either  merely  to  close  tho  war 
by  signal  and  tremendous  blows  of  British 
vindictive  power,  or,  as  ia  more  probalile, 
by  tho  conquest  and  permanent  occupation 
of  largo  portions  of  the  United  States,  north, 
south,  and  west.  Total  and  glor.ous  every 
way  was  their  defeat  bv  an  undisciplined 
and  half  armed  but  nnrrtuil  i  "ople,  of  whont 
it  was  long  a  common  military  boast  ami 
nearly  universal  English  sentiment  that  u 


i 


i 


1-    1-:; 
■1  , .  ■ !.  ■ 


M 


110 


AMERICAN  N/ 


»  ^. 


[1814. 


ii'i  I' 


hi' 


niii^ilc  ro;;im(Mit  i)f  llritlHli  tmops  would  cut 
tlitfir  wiiy  <V<im  (Jiiofiid  (il'tlio  LuitcdiStiitcN 
to  (lii^  otiicr. 

It  iM  tnii!  tliiit  in  ivU  Hii'H(>  tr'min|)liM  the 
Unitcil  Stiitt's  iiiiTi'lv  ili't't'iidiMl  tlKMiisidvcs ; 
mid  itiiKiy  l)i'  olijix-ti'd  tliiit  tlndr  iiiidortiik- 
jii;;  liy  (Ik*  diMdiU'iitioii  mid  tlndr  Mrliciiics 
ofwur  was  to  do  iii(in>.  itiit  just  wlicu  those 
HclidiiK'H  wiM'i!  |iriiliaJ)ly  to  )>i'  reiilist'd  ]>y  mi- 
utlicr  i'ain|iai;;ii,  Kii<(l!iiid  iimde  peace  witli 
|irei'ipitutioii.  Xapoleoii's  escape  from  Klha, 
mid  ti'iiiuipliaMt  rttturn  to  Pans,  in  Marcli, 
ISI '>,  oeensioiK'd  the  recall  to  Kiirope  ot'iuost 
of  the  Bi'itisli  troops  went  tliencc'  toAiiiericii 
in  ISI 1;  and  inustliavu  re<piii'ed  tliiit  recall, 
liven  tli(Mi);h  Canada  and  New  Hriinswick 
had  been  lost  ))y  it.  The  hostilities  which 
closed  with  the  battle  of  ^Vuterloo  in 
Juno,  I8l;"»,  and  that  crowning;  victory  of 
the  British  commander  could  not  have 
taken  place  without  the  troop.s  transported 
from  America.  At  all  events  they  could  not 
havelieeii  reinforced  in  Canada;  Ijut  left  to 
themselves  on  this  continent  must  imvc  I'all- 
011  an  easy  prey  to  tiu;  numerous  American 
nrmicH  tliat  would  have  marched  under  ex- 
perii>uccd  leaders  wherever  u  iiritish  enemy 
could  bo  oviU'taken. 

llavin;;  dwelt  with  somo  emphasis  on  the 
moral  and  even  reli;iious  inlluein'es  ni'  tin- 
naval  victory  at  I'lattsliur^j;,  it  still  would 
be  unjust  to  take  leave  of  it,  bein;;  the  last 
time  that  American  naval  affairs  will  be 
mentioned  in  this  volume,  without  .some 
further  notice  likewise,  of  the  b(dli<;erent 
results  by  which  »Macdonouj;h's  triumjih 
li.xed  a  tinal  impression,  not  only  Ameri- 
can, but  Knj^lish,  Kiiroiiean  and  universal. 

The  a.-i(;endcncy  whi(  h  lbrei;j;n  literature 
vet  maintains  in  the  United  Stati-s,  mis- 
leivds  numerous  AmiTicaiis  to  read  with  tlie 
utmo.st  avidity  and  credulity,  all  thatcoine.s 
to  us  from  Kn^jland  in  the  sha[)e  of  history, 
memoir,  au/l  otherwise,  not  to  mention  the 
shiji  loads  of  trash  by  every  vessel  east  ou 
imr  shores,  of  at  least  inap|u*o])riate,  if  not 
falsitieil  science,  law,  and  ndi;;ion,  with 
which  American  seminarie.i  of  learnin;^,  the 
press,  and  all  information  are  ciuitaminated. 
Accurate  ideas  of  the  memorable  incidents, 
illustratin;;  our  own  history,  ancient  or  re- 
cent, are  not  only  rare  but  vague,  while  Ku- 
ropean  perversion  jier.suades  thousands  of 
American  minds,  that  their  countrymen  are 
jirono  to  exa;:;;;erate  with  ridiculous  niisre- 
preseutation,  the  trivial  occurrences  of  this 
much  abused  continent.  Kn;<lish  puldica- 
tions  abound,  with  many  American  believers 
in  them,  that  in  that  contest,  (Jreat  Britain 
did  not  even  think  of  this  country,  aIthon;;h 
ftll  the  force  she  could  collect,  both  military 
.and  naval,  were  sent  acro.s.s  the  Atlantic, 
and  worsted  in  juemorablo  conflicts  with 
which  too  many  Americans  are  less  fami- 
liar, than  with  iasiguilicant,  simultaneous 
liuropoan  events, 

Mr.  Canning's   parliixmontary   acknow- 


led;;ment  of  thi>  consternation  nnil  convul- 
sion which  shook  (ireat  llritain  to  the  cen- 
tre, when  tlm  fla;;  of  ii  Hinj;le  frij^ate  wan 
struck  to  Anieri(!an  prowess,  was  made 
after  the  eouit  martial  on  Captain  Ihiercs, 
had  ascertained  and  tacitly  confessed  tin- 
folly  as  well  as  falsehood  of  tiu!  various 
alisurd  excuses  that  were  pleaded  for  Bri- 
tish defeat ;  and  Hundy.  Air.  Cannini^'M  omis- 
sion of  ail  reference  to  those  paltry  pnitexts, 
was  more  manly,  nnu'e  British,  and  much 
wisiT  than  their  contemptible  sufijjestion. 
But  when  he  decdared  interminable  war  fur 
naval  ascendency,  and  to  restore  the  in- 
vincibility of  the  British  trident,  no  Biitish 
sipiadron  had  been  captured,  as  not  loi!^ 
alter  his  speecdi,  fidlowed  on  Lake  Krie,  and 
a^iain  a  twidvemonth  later  on  Lake;  Chani- 
phiin.  IJoth  American  and  IJritish  readers 
may  be  surprised  to  learn,  as  they  may 
rest  assureil,  for  it  is  vouched  liy  all  the 
ollicial  dispatches  and  undeniable  state- 
ments, that  there  was  a  };;reater  loss  of  Bri- 
tish lives  in  the  naval  contiict  oi.  Lake 
Champlain,  than  at  the  famous  sea-li^^ht  of 
St.  Aincent's,  for  which  tlus  Admiral  -Ji'rvis 
was  nnide  an  Earl,  covered  with  honors, 
titles  and  pensions,  with  the  usual  jmifu- 
sion  of  British  ])ubli(!  favor.  The  ca|itures 
<d'the  I'eacock,  the  Avon,  the  Reindeer,  the 
Epervier,  the  Roxer,  the  Cyane,  the  Le- 
vant and  the  Penj^iiin,  all  at  different  jie- 
riods,  fidlowed  Mr.  Cannin;!;'s  speech,  and 
to  use  his  own  remarkable  word,  stiiiithiicil 
in  .\merican  victories  the  spell  of  British 
invincibility,  (Ui  every  oi'casion  shivered  to 
atoms.  \o  one,  not  even  any  Enj;lislinian, 
since  claims  nii/nriori/i/  for  an  Enj^lish  over 
an  American  ship  td'  war.  No  country  or 
individual  in  any  ]>iirt  of  the  world  be- 
lieves in  that  exploiled  notion  since  the 
war  id"  Is  12,  throughout  the  wh(d(!  of 
which,  from  its  outset  till  some  time 
after  the  ratified  treaty  of  ]iea<M>  could 
lie  made  known,  Rritish  na\al  disasters 
continued  to  fall  like  the  reports  ol'  minutt! 
jjiins  from  tlu;  ocean,  in  the  midst  of  the 
^loom, 'consternation  and  convulsion,  which 
Cannini;  so  idoipiently  descrilied,  and  fetd- 
inifly  confessed.  And  tiiat  most  impressive 
Kn;:lisli  orator  of  his  day  told  Tioniontthan 
the  truth.  So  late  as  during;  the  year  in 
whiidi  the  warwas  deidared,  in  lKl'2,  a  w(dl- 
known  English  work,  to  whitdi  iVIr.  Canning 
coiitributeil,  and  who  may  therefore  be  the* 
author  of  what  is  now  cpioti'd  from  the 
t^iiarterly  Review,  h(dd  the  following  im- 
pi'rious  languagt!  respinting  the  marine, 
destined,  jiotli  naval  and  commercial,  to  su- 
persede that  of  (ireat  Rritain. 

"  We  will  not  stop  to  degrade  the  Rritish 
navy  by  ctind<'sceniling  to  enter  into  any 
comparison  of  the  high  <u'der,  the  disci])line 
and  comfort  of  an  English  man-of-war  and 
an  American  IVigate.  We  disdain  any  svudi 
Comparison.  No,  let  us  rather  renew  with 
increased  tenacity,  and  exact,  from  Amerioii 


CiiAr.  VI.l 

in  particular,  wlin 
never  to  have  been 
the  acknowledgme 
rcignty  in  our  own 
Hag  and  topsails, 
that  the  govi'rniiK 
(icrvices  of  Amerii' 
navy,  and  we  lielie 
lil/l'r  (Irsiir  to  III'  Irii 
Such   autlioritat 
ridiculous,  even  i 
thdiightless,   happ, 
(if  invincibility,    ' 
tish   seaman   till  tl 
and  every  w(ukma 
vard  cheered   his 
fiigcther  with  the 
tiniis,  l)V  whiidi  th 
ti'inptetl   to   explai 
general  British  ai 
American    coidid 
European, even  As 
that  the  American 
Let  America,  hoA 
weening  conlidenc* 
tish  marine  to  its 
throw.  The  navy  (d 
gainer  by  the  war  i 
ciinsideratc!   of  tin 
(d'  radical  r(d'orm> 
material  condition 
pressed,  are   bettc 
paid,  pensioned,  r 
cared  for,  than  be 
Sons  (d"  that  war. 
were,  perhai)H  moi 
inferior  to  the  Ann 
iiiijiroved. 

Th(!  modern  art 
pan  invention.  T 
cannon  and  the  i 
Americans  with 
unknown  ami  uni 
any  other  imtion. 
engaged  a  ErcncI; 
of  war,  the  aim 
(leek,  to  destroy  i 
masts  and  rigging, 
abl((  the  vessel,  f 
bayonet  or  artiller 
European  armies  i 
the  volleys  v  ere 
deadly  aim  (d"  gii 
was  exclusively  ^ 
British  practice  b 
liar  American  exc 
ipient,  hnul.ible  an 
rican.  Tlu!  discij 
a  British  ship  hav 
than  tlii'y  were.  ? 
Kuiierior  aptitude, 
gein'o  and  stdf-pos 
riiiers,  since  the  v 
their  engrossinga 
trade  between  the 
laud,  which  till  t 
Eiiij-lish  and  extn 


Ciur.  vi.]  nurnsir 

— -♦■ 

in  jmrticuliir,  wlint  in  our  njiinion  (nij.'lit  | 
ricviT  tci  liiivc  Ipci'm  (IriipiMil,  mir  ili'tnaml  of 
till'  il('kll(i\vlril;^m('iit  III'  lii<  Mfij<'>t}'M  Hovc-  \ 
I'l'iiinty  in  (Hirowii  n('1i>^  I'\  iIic  siiliitc  ul"  tlic 
tin;;  iiml  toi'siiils.     AVc  havi?  iilrcsnlv  sfiitnl 
tliiit  tin'  pivi-rnmcnt  Iiiis  no  (Icsirc  lor  tin-  , 
M'r\  ill's  111' Anuiriciiii  siiiniiii  in  tlir  Ilritish 
iiiivy,  Mini  wi'  lii'lit'M'  tliiit  "('/•  nflin  rs  J'al  an 
litlh'  (lisiir  1)1  lif  Innilihil  t'llli  thim," 

Siuli  aiitluiritativc  \ii  ,iiiriiij;  woulil  lie 
riiru'iiliiiiM,  even  in  Kiifilaml,  tinw.  Tin' 
tlinii^htlrsM,  lia|i;iy  ami  uniliuibtin;;  Imast 
iif  ihviiu'ibilitv,  with  wliiih  every  Hri- 
tisli  seiunaii  till  tlieii  heaved  the  eapstan, 
mill  every  workman  in  the  duck  and  Klii|i- 
vird  cheered  his  lalior,  has  ^iven  way, 
'tiij;i'tlier  with  the  dry  arithiiietieai  calciila- 
tiiiiiM,  liy  which  their  siiiieriurH  at  first  at- 
ti'ni|iteil  to  explain  their  disasters,  to  the 
p'lieral  British  anprchensimi,  the  univprsnl 
American  cuiitidence,  and  tin;  ciimmon 
Mui'ii|ii'an,  even  Asiatic  and  African,  heliof, 
that  the  American  is  the  lietter  seaman. 

Let  America,  however,  lieware  iifthe  iiver- 
wi'i'iiin/^  ciinfideiR'o  which  lii^trayed  the  Hri- 
tisli  marine  to  its  at  least  temporary  over- 
throw. The  navy  of  l')n;;land  has  hcen  a  ;;reat 
};aiiicr  hy  the  war  of  l.si2,  which  tau};!'t  the 
ciinsidenite  of  that  country  the  ne  essity 
of  radical  reforms  in  liuth  its  moral  and 
material  condition.  Seamen,  no  loii;j;er  iiii- 
prcsscil,  aro  lietter  treated,  clothed,  fed, 
paid,  pensioned,  revarded,  and  altoj;oth<.'r 
cared  for,  than  hefore  their  disastrous  les- 
stiiis  of  tiiat  war.  (lunnery,  in  which  they 
were,  perhaiis  more  than  in  anything  else, 
inferior  to  the  AmericanH,  ha.s  been  greatly 
iiii|iroved. 

Tile  modern  art  of  f;nnnerv  Is  a  a  Amcri- 
ran  invention.  The  rifle,  the  ]iistol,  the 
caiinun  and  the  mortar,  are  niana;:;ed  hy 
Americans  with  a  dextrous  destruction 
unknown  and  unatteinpteil  ill  of  late  hy 
any  other  nation.  AVhen  an  Kii;^lish  ship 
ciij^aj;ed  a  French,  Spanish  or  iKitchshiji 
of  war,  the  aim  was  not  the  hull  or 
ili'ck,  to  destroy  the  men,  lait  the  spars, 
masts  and  ri;:;;:;ing,  hy  woiindiii;;  them  to  dis- 
alile  the  vessel.  So,  in  battles  ashore,  the 
hayoiiot  or  artillery  were  more  relied  on  bv 
Kuropeaii  arinii's  than  the  musket,  of  which 
the  Volleys  were  mostly  harmless.  The 
deadly  aim  of  f^unnery,  f];reat  and  small, 
was  exdusivelj'  American.  Hut  now  the 
JJritish  practice  by  imitation  of  that  pecu- 
liar American  excellence  is  much  more  fre- 
Hiient,  laud.iiilo  and  perfected  than  the  Ame- 
rican. The  discipline  and  f^overnment  of 
a  British  ship  have  become  more;  American 
than  they  were.  N(!verthel(!ss,  the  naturally 
siqierior  ajititude,  docility,  sobriety,  intelli- 
fli'iii'o  and  sell'-possession  of  American  ma- 
riners, since  the  war  of  1M12,  are  shown  by 
their  en;:;riissin;iall  the  extensive  sail  packet 
trade  between  the  United  States  and  Kii^- 
laiid,  which  till  that  time  was  exclusively 
Knjrliijh  and  extremely  limited.     "With  the  ' 


NAVY 


141 


htatemeiit  of  these-'  ndvnntnfT''^,  liowpvep,  let 
us  mix  no  uiiiiieanin;;  or  misleadinj^  boast. 
CoiiiparatiM'ly  iiiiich  nearer  in  ntiiiibers  tn 
the  liriiish  marine,  Imth  cnmniercial  ami 
naval,  than  in  iMl'J,  the  .\meriiari  navy  i'* 
not  noM  sii  Hiipi'riiir  as  it  then  w.-is  in  all  but 
numbers  to  that  of  (ireat  liritaiii. 

A  respectable  ISritisli  historian,  in  h'\n 
Annals  of  the  Iteijin  id'  (Ieor;;e  the  Third, 
I'r.  .Viken,  mentions  the  Jlritish  mnal  de- 
feats as  '•  unusual  to  the  Uritisli  navy,  tlin 
source  of  as  much  mortification  to  one  party 
as  of  triumph  to  the  other."  But  it  is  from 
another  source  than  either  wary  history  or 
undivul;;ed  oflicial  orders  that  we  becomo 
possessed  of  the  most  striking  and  nior- 
tifyin;^  proof  of  that  timorous  slirink- 
inij;  from  cunlliet  with  American  vesstds  of 
war,  which  was  undoubtedly  authorized 
by  the  admiralty  and  jiriictised  by  tho 
nav}'.  Accounts  freijuently  reached  us  of 
the  shyni'ss  of  llritish  naval  officers  to  en- 
pi;;e  Americans;  and  there  was  throughout 
the  whole  war  palpable  want  of  that  enter- 
jirise  and  hardiliood  which  had  been  claimed 
as  till!  common  and  the  superior  attributoH 
of  the  much  ImastiMl  and  dreailed  Uritish 
tar.  A  memoir  of  Admiral  Durham,  pub- 
lished by  his  nr  ihew  Captain  JIurray,  in 
lS4ti,  makes  the  imj)ortant  disclosure  which 
is  here  quoted  from  that  book. 

"'J'ln;  only  circumstance  diirinp;  his  com- 
mand that  ^ave  him  (Admiral  Durham) 
some  disappointment,  was  the  following: 

"  Jiaviii;;-  received  information  that  a  largo 
American  frigate  was  cruising  about  the 
islands,  he  dispatched  an  eighteen-gun  brig, 
commanded  by  a  Captain  Stewart,  to  St. 
Thomas,  where  a  thirty-eight-guu  frigate 
and  two  brigs  were  stationed,  requesting 
the  officers  commanding  them  to  look-out, 
at  Mima  passage,  in  ease  she  should  pass 
that  way,  and  immediately  made  sail  him- 
self for  the  other  passage  to  leeward  of 
Antigua. 

"(.'aptain  Stewart  found  the  Knglish  fri- 
gate and  the  brigs  at  St.  Thomas,  and  deli- 
vered his  disiititelies. 

"The  frigate  sailed,  fell  in  with  tho  Ame- 
rican and  did  not  engage  her,  but  joined  tho 
admiral  with  the  intelligence  that  she  had 
left  the  islands. 

"  Admir.al  Durham  inquired  what  reason 
he  had  for  not  engaging  her ;  upon  which 
he  showed  a  memorandum,  by  which  cap- 
tains were  allowed  to  use  their  discretion 
in  engaging  large  American  frigates.  The 
admiral  said,  'You  had  two  brigs  with  you, 
you  should  have  used  them.'  The  captain 
replied,  '  they  were  not  under  my  orders.' 
This  was  quite  unknown  to  the  admiral." 

From  this  dischisure  it  is  at  last  indubi- 
tably manifested  that  the  British  govern- 
ment, after  two  years  of  nearly  uninter- 
rupted naval  defeat,  sent  their  vessels  of 
war  to  sea  with  almost  the  identical  orders 
with  which  the  American  government  sent 


■A 


4 


llv 


ir 


-:f 


y..:| 

'•I 

•4 


Ki* 


142 


ADMIRALTY  ORDER. 
— ♦ — 


[1814. 


ft  :''.     m 


*•■> 


ft' 
,1: 


K 


J 


%' 


•1^^ 


•'•*■'. 


..5"- 


change 


theirs  .at  first :  so  total  Wiis  tho 
irt)in  JJritirth  confidonco  to  apjirehonsion. 
Oaptain  IluU'a  unlors  from  tho  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  wove,  in  July,  1812:  "  If  yon 
shouUl  fall  in  with  an  enemy's  vessel,  you 
will  be  ji;iu(led  in  your  proceedinjj;  by  your 
own  judgment,  bearing  in  mind,  however, 
that  j'ou  .arc  not  voluntarily  to  encounter  a 
force  superior  to  your  own."  In  1814,  the 
captain  of  the  British  frigate  pleaded  "  a  me- 
morandum, by  which  captains  were  allowed 
to  use  their  discretion  in  engaging  tho  large 
American  frigates."  Going  to  sea  in  dis- 
regard of  timid  orders,  Captain  Hull  sought 
and  vanquished  the  (luerriere.  The  British 
captain,  whoso  dishonored  name  is  con- 
cealed in  Admiral  Durham's  memoir,  with 
a  frigate  and  two  brigs  shrunk  from  en- 
countering the  frigate  Constitution,  as  aj)- 
pears  by  Captain  Stewart's  account  of  that 
occurrence  in  hia  letter  to  the  navy  depart- 
ment: "Wo  also  chased  a  frigate  through 
the  Mona  passage,  which  escai)ed  us  by  the 
wind  changing  in  her  favor,  leaving  us 
becalmed.  The  animation  displayed  by 
tho  officers  and  crew  at  so  near  a  prospect 
of  adding  another  laurel  constitutionaUij  to 
the  naval  wreath,  leaves  no  doubt  of  the 
honorable  result,  had  we  been  fortunate 
enough  to  bring  her  to  action."  On  board 
the  American  frigate  even  jocular  confi- 
dence prevailed,  while  the  English  frigate 
fled,  to  take  refuge  under  the  admiralty 
memorandum,  which  disarmed  every  vessel 
but  a  few  line-of-battle  ships,  whenever  they 
fell  in  with  enemies  whose  superiority  was 
oflScially  given  in  orders  to  the  once  daunt- 
less mariners  of  England. 

When  it  was  believed  by  the  American 
officers  that  their  government  was  about  to 
lay  up  their  frigates,  from  not  unreasonable 
fear  of  their  inevitable  capture  in  the  un- 
tried and  dreadful  issue  of  conflict  with 
conquerors  of  all  tho  navies  in  the  world, 
Bainbridge  and  Stewart  hastened  to  Wash- 
ington to  entreat  permission  to  go  to  sea ; 
and,  when  Hull,  Morris,  Read,  Morgan  and 
tho  (jtliers  on  board  the  Constitution,  from 
her  mast  heads  made  out  the  G  uerriere,  there 
was  not  a  sailor  on  board  who  did  not  desire 
battle.  But  when,  after  thirty  odd  years 
of  secret  naval  apprehension  and  admiralty 
concealed  orders,  the  British  navy  and  admi- 
ralty come  to  bo  shriven,  it  is  discovered, 
by  confession,  that  a  frigate  with  two  brigs 
were  afraid  tc  engage  a  frigate,  and  for  that 
act  of  sheer  timidity,  to  give  it  no  harder 
name,  the  commanding  otticer  Avas  allowed 
to  excuse  himself  by  a  standing  order  of  the 
admiralty  not  to  engage  an  American  fri- 
gate. If  such  were  the  orders  to  officers, 
what  must  have  been  the  dread  of  the  com- 
mon seamen  to  encounter  the  once  despised, 
impressed,  and  in  every  way  maltreated 
Americans?  The  retribution  was  complete. 

The  Prince  Rogent  himself  supplied  tho 
material  with  which  to  conclude  this  chap- 


ter. Childishly  fond  as  that  crapulous  old 
man  was  of  shows  ami  pantomimes,  he 
ordered  a  grand  siiectachs  at  the  cost  of  a 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  ])y  naval  mum- 
mery on  the  little  artificial  water  called  tho 
Serpentine  River,  in  St.  James's  Park,  near 
his  own  and  his  father's  palaces,  to  cele- 
brate peace  and  tho  centennial  anniversary 
of  the  accession  of  the  House  of  Brunswick 
to  the  British  throne,  on  tho  1st  of  August, 
1814.  Fireworks,  temples,  pagodas,  bridges, 
mock  fights,  and  other  such  gratifications 
for  tlie  populace,  were  displayed  during  the 
festival,  which  lasted  several  days.  The 
principal  foolery  was  a  battle  ])etweon  two 
British  and  two  American  frigates ;  inap- 
propriate and  untoward  contrivance  to 
amuse  and  inspirit  the  English  at  that  time, 
when  tho  overthrow  of  Napoleon  did  not 
atone  for  their  naval  reverses.  The  official 
re])ort  of  the  affair  in  the  Courier  was,  that 
"  I'lie  naval  display  commenced  by  an  ac- 
tion between  two  British  and  two  American 
frigates.  The  first  broadside  was  hardly 
fired,  when  ample  testimony  was  borne  to 
the  propriety  of  choosing  such  a  spectacle 
for  the  gratification  of  Englishmen.  No 
sooner  was  tho  first  shot  heard,  than  the 
general  anxiety  for  the  honor  of  our  trident 
was  so  groat  that  the  shops  and  booths 
poured  out  their  myriads,  who  rushed  upon 
tho  shores  of  tho  Serpentine  to  cheer  our 
brave  tars  with  their  presence,  and  share 
the  honor  of  the  naval  flag.  I'he  Yankee 
frigates  lay  at  anchor,"  &c.  Of  course  they 
were  beaten.  "  The  union-jack  was  hoisted 
over  tho  stars  and  stripes  of  Jonathan  ;  and 
thus  ended  the  first  part  of  the  engagement ; 
and  so  much  a  matter  of  course  was  the 
result,  that  tho  spectators  did  not  allow 
their  exultation  to  exhibit  itself  even  by  a 
single  cheer." 

Very  different  reasons  were  given  by 
•another  London  description  of  that  spectacle 
for  ilie  absence  of  cheers  for  victory  by 
British  over  American  ships  of  war.  The 
official  ministerial  account  of  these  royal 
contrivances  to  heave  up  the  sj.irit  of  the 
people,  as  it  were  with  a  capstan,  was  con- 
tradicted thus  in  other  London  accounts  of  it. 
"People  no  longer  applaud  at  the  theatres 
songs  in  honor  of  their  gallant  tars,  hearing 
with  indifference  or  disgust  sentiments  once 
listened  to  with  pride.  An  attempt  at  a  the- 
atre to  applaud  one  of  these  sentiments  is 
overpowered  by  a  hiss :  a  person  in  the  boxes 
latterly  exclaimed,  '  That  character  is  for- 
feited.' At  the  Prince  Regent's  late  grand 
gala,  a  mock  battle  was  represented  on  the 
Serpentine  River,  between  an  American 
and  British  frigate,  when,  after  a  hard 
struggle,  the  American  struck  her  flags. 
'  They  had  better  let  that  alone,'  cried  the 
populace.  Such  anecdotes,"  added  the 
English  commentator,  "are  omens,  like  tho 
raven's  croak,  perched  on  the  ruins  of  some 
magnificent  pile,  that  the  pillar  of  Eng- 


[1814. 

ipulous  old 
iiiiiiiu'H,  he 
I)  ud.st  of  a 
aval  imim- 
r  callod  tho 
I'ark,  near 
OS,  to  celo- 
innivorsary 
Brunswick 
of  Aii});ust, 
as,  ))rid<];es, 
atifioatioiis 
duriug  tho 
days.  The 
otwoon  two 
atos ;  inap- 
rivanco  to 
.t  that  timo, 
on  did  not 
Tho  official 
>r  was,  that 
1  by  an  ac- 

0  American 
vas  hardly 
IS  liorno  to 

a  spoctaclo 
hnien.  No 
1,  than  the 

our  trident 
vnd  booths 
ushod  upon 

1  choor  our 
,  and  share 
L'lio  Yankee 
course  they 
was  hoisted 
athan ;  and 
iKapjosnent ; 
■so  was  the 

not  allow 
'  even  by  a 

!  given  by 
at  spectacle 
victory  by 
war.  The 
these  royal 
pirit  of  the 
n,  was  con- 
counts  of  it. 
he  theatres 
vrs,  hearing 
inients  once 
ii])t  at  a  thc» 
ntiinents  is 
in  the  boxes 
cter  is  for- 
I  late  grand 
ntod  on  the 
American 
tor  a  hard 
her  flags. 
,'  cried  the 
added  the 
ns,  like  tho 
ins  of  some 
ar  of  Eng- 


ClIAP.  VI.] 


ENGLISH  NAVAL  DISTRESS. 


143 


id's  glory,  and  foundation  of  her  power,  is 
luldcring  at  the  base."  "  Kule  Britannia," 


Ian 

nuiuldcring 

cniakcd  ('ol)))ctt,  "  has  ceased  to  bo  the  rah- 
lile's  delight;  the  heroes  in  blue  and  buff 
hang  tiieir  diminished  heads."  All  mari- 
time Europe  looked  to  America  with  hope, 
and  to  England  with  fear,  for  relief  from 
lier  ocean  despotism,  while  industrial  (»reat 
Britain  began  to  count  the  cost  of  an  Eng- 
lish war  in  vain  prolonged  f(»r  territorial 
conquest,  which  was  forcing  American 
manufactures  as  the  war  of  the  llevolution 
precipitated  colonial  independence. 

On  the  25th  August,  1814,  while  the 
British  army  were  burning  AV^ishington, 
departed  tliis  life  in  London  a  once  nuich 
applauded,  but  already  forgotten  author  of 
no  less  than  twelve  hundred  songs,  dedi- 
cated to  the  glory  of  tho  British  seaman, 
Charles  Dibdin ;  with  whose  demise,  cer- 
tainly, much  of  British  maritime  glory  also 
d(4iarted.  Its  decline  by  American  discom- 
fitures may  not  be  irreparable.  On  the 
cimtrary,  it  is  much  improved  in  the  school 
of  misfortune.  But  vast  will  be  the  renown 
of  tho  first  British  officer,  who,  in  fiiir  and 
eiiual  fight,  compels  an  American  ship  of 
war  to  strike  her  flag:  and  terrible  tho  re- 
sponsibility of  the  American  who  hauls  it 
down,  since  all  tho  moral  superiority  has 
boon  transferred  from  England  to  America. 

British  journals  breathed  loud  groans  and 
fears  of  American  sea  depredations.  Ameri- 
can sloops-of-war  built  after  the  war  began, 
(whose  cruises  will  be  subjects  of  future  de- 
scriptions,) filled  the  British  and  Continental 
journals  with  their  own  exaggerated  ac- 
counts of  really  formidable  American  naval 
incursions  and  destructiveness.  The  admi- 
ralty secretary,  Croker,  found  it  necessa- 
ry to  print  public  assurances,  that  three 
frigates  and  fourteen  smaller  war  vessels 
had  been  ordered  to  cruise  in  the  British 
Channel,  to  protect  that  close  sea  of  British 
dominion,  where  once  every  flag  was  to  be 
vailed  to  it,  from  American  craft,  described 
as  of  peculiar  build,  extremely  difficult  of 
capture,  or  similar  construction.  Lloyds' 
lists  of  prizes,  and  the  prices  of  insurance, 
fearfully  told  the  story  of  American  nauti- 
cal enterprise  and  superiority.  Tho  admi- 
ralty had  recourse  to  prosecutions  instituted 
witli  loud  public denanciations  against  ship- 
masters sailing  without  convoy,  to  which 
breach  of  law,  of  positive  orders  and  com- 
mon prudence,  it  was  said,  were  ascribable, 
the  multiplied  increasing  vexatious,  ruinous 
and  inexpressible  losses  of  British  com- 
merce by  American  cruisers.  Lloyds'  list 
of  the  23d  September,  1814,  published  forty 
recent  captures,  some  of  great  value.  In 
the  London  Statesman,  of  the  2yth  Septem- 
ber, 1814,  an  underwriter  suggested,  "to 
ol)viate  tho  ruinous  and  daily  spreading 
devastations  of  tho  American  privateers," 
that  a  class  of  vessels  like  them  should  bo 
built,  to  bo  commanded  by  merchant  cap- 


tains.    So  inefficient  had  tho  mighty  marine 
of  Great  Britain    become,   that  England 
wanted  an  a(|uatic  militia  to  supersede  it. 
The  rates  of  their  shij)S  of  war  were  altered 
and  reduced,  so  as  to  represent  them  as  carry- 
ing fewer  cannons  than  they  did,  in  order,  as 
was  said,  to  put  them  on  a  footing  with  Ame- 
rican frigates  and  sloops-of-war;  which  gave 
rise  to  a  witticism,  spread  throughout  the 
whole  British  marine,  by  a  language  com- 
mon to  both  nations,  more  withering  than 
liroadsides,  as  verified  by  the  cruises  of  the 
Wasp,  Peacock  and  Hornet,  that  American 
sloops-of-war  ccmld  and  would  take  British 
at  any  rate.    Kidicule  reinforced  degrada- 
tion of  the  British  navy,  whose  chivalry 
so  entirely  disappeared  from  the  great  deep 
it  so  recently  ruled,  that  English  Gazettes 
published,  without  shame,  that  the   ship 
New   Castle  of  fifty-eight  guns,  and  the 
Acasta  of  fifty,  wore  cruising  in  company 
in  pursuit  of  the  Constitution.     Incredible 
exj)loits  of  the  American  privateers,  some 
of   their   commanders  publishing  on   the 
British   coast   proclamations   of  extensive 
blockades  to  burlesque  those  proclaimed  by 
British  admirals  of  ours,  sanguinary  defeats 
and  captures  ))y  our  privateers  of  their  ships 
of  war,  some  of  them  of  great  force,  (as  will 
be  shown  in  my  account  of  the  privateer 
war,)    induced   comparisons    between  the 
American  private  armed  vessels  and  the 
national  ships  of  England,  much  to  the  lat- 
ter's  disadvantage.    The  paltry  and  pirati- 
cal depredations  of  ennobled  admirals,  with 
fleets  of  ships-of-the-line,  were  contrasted 
with  the  more  extensive  injuries  inflicted  on 
British  commerce  by  little  private  cruisers 
of  eight  or  ten  guns,  with  none  of  the  parade 
or  pretension  of  regular  service ;  and  in  no 
respect  was  the  contrast  more  striking  than 
between  the  generosity,  humanity  and  gen- 
tlemanly deportment  of  the  privateersmen, 
and  the  brutal  rapacity  of  some  of  the  titled 
veterans  of  British  sea-warfare.    Free-trade 
and  sailors'  rights  were  watch-words  current 
and  charming  in  every  vessel  and  every  sea- 
port of  every  country,  the  device  of  a  new 
and  self-erected  order  of  chivalry,  springing 
self-armed  from  the  sea,hailed  with  universal 
admiration  by  the  maritime  nations  of  Eu- 
rope, smarting  with  recollections  of  British 
wrongs,  and  envious  as  all  men  are  of  over- 
weening power.     In  vain  the  London  Morn- 
ing Chronicle  reiterated  the  trite  absurdity 
that    the  astonishing  American   victories 
were  ascribable  to  British  deserters.    Why, 
was  the  natural  reply,  do  British  seamen 
fight  so  much  harder,  and  with  so  much 
deadlier  fire  in  American  vessels  than  their 
own?     But,  rejoined  the  British  press,  they 
fought,  being  deserters,  in  dread  of  execu- 
tion if  taken.   Must  then,  was  the  retort,  tho 
brave  British  tar  have  a  halter  on  his  neck, 
and  dread  of  tho  gallows  in  view  to  make 
him  fight?  American  ingenuity,  stimulated 
by  war,  added  what  has  been  called  sea- 


■■■'  I 


-K!  1 


li"  ?1 


k:-M': 


:-k;:!: 


114 


i  -I       :  i 


ENGLISH  PREJUDICE. 

—  « — 


[1814. 


•  r 


■  1  * . 


■"'•( 


■.■f"' 


cavalry  to  fleets.  On  the  21st  Novenilicr, 
l^il4,  tlictloatinj^liattoryorarmedstcaiu-fri- 
j;ate  Fulton,  lirst  cxperinu-nt  of  what  is  now 
(■(I  ('(iiinuon,  was  moved  from  her  wliarf  on 
the  Kust  riv(!r,  and  towed  to  Fulton's  works 
on  the  North  river  hy  the  first  steain-hoat, 
the  ('ar  of  Neptune,  at  the  rate  of  between 
thre((  and  four  niih's  air  hour,  whieh  he 
hoped  might  1)C  increased  to  five  miles,  he- 
caus(!  tlie  [tower  equalled  that  of  a  hundred 
horses. 

At  the  same  time,  as  hcfore  mentioned, 
Euro]u'an  disinclination  to  Enjj;lish  domi- 
natioi\,  kept  pace  with  American  successful 
resistance  to  it,  and  we  had  allies  in  the 
manufacturing  interest  of  England,  coun- 
teracting the  army,  navy,  clergy,  aristocra- 
cy, crown  and  other  English  promoters  of 
war.  I'roofs  multiplied  every  day,  that  in 
a  war  hetwecn  that  country  and  this.  Great 
IJritain  suffers  more  injury  than  she  inflicts: 
that  American  injuries  hy  British  blows, 
are  superficrial  and  temporary;  but  Eng- 
lish injuries  by  American  blows,  perma- 
nent and  incurable, 
could    dispense    with 


truth  respecting  America.  They  go  on  from 
generation  to  generation  believing  every 
false  and  discrediting  every  true  account. 
Nothing  is  necessary,  after  a  thousand  ex- 
periences of  their  being  deceive<l,  but  the 
trouble  of  inventing  a  new  chinnna  to 
obtain  afresh  tluMr  confidence."  'J"o  wliich 
letter  Keed,  from  London,  answering 
Adams,  said,  "  They  seem  to  labfir  under 
the  insuperable  curse  of  men  profiting  by 
no  experience  in  everything  which  resj)ects 
prejudices  against  America.  I  find  myself 
much  disappointed  and  deceived  in  my 
opinion  of  their  conciliatory  spirit."  Sucli 
was  the  judgment  then  of  well-disposed  and 
well-associated  American  gentlemen,  from 
intercourse,  not  with  vulgar  British,  but 
gentlemen  and  statesmen,  whose  hopes  of 
Itritish  amity  were  grievously  disappointed. 
I'aradoxical  and  revolting  as  the  sentiment 
may  seem,  there  have  been,  there  yet  live, 
Americans,  who  have  represented  their  coun- 
try in  England,  and  been  vaiKpiished  there 
to  social  admiration  by  the  splendid  hospital- 
Tiie  United  States  |  ities  of  English  private  life,  becoming  warm 
fureijin    commerce. !  admirers  of  British  power  and  national  jire- 


Tlieir  food  is  superabundant,  and  their  !  eminence,  who  have  come  back  to  America 
manufactures  were  forced  by  war  with  convinced  that  nothing  less  than  war,  and 
England.  victories  achieved  ))y  Americans  over  the 

Two  of  the  cardinal  infirmities  of  man-  English,  will  ever  teach  them  to  under- 
kind  are  ignorance  an<l  fear;  and  it  is  |  stand  or  respect  their  republican  offspring, 
hardly  conceivable  how  profoundly  and  ;  But  may  not  the  hopc!  be  indulged,  that 
stupidly  perverse  has  always  been  the  Bri- 1  by  the  jtrosent  well-balanced  state  of  naval 
tish  igu<u"ance  of  America.  One  of  the  '  power,  numbers  and  physical  superiority 
great(!st  and  best  informed  American  ad-]  still  British,  Viut  the  moral  and  memoral)le 
mircrs  of  England,  John  Adams,  wrote,  in  j  recent  ascendency  all  American,  the  hostili- 
17S4,  from  th<!  Hague,  to  JosejthBeed,  then  ties  of  that  struggle  will  prevent  any  other 
in  Lon<lon,  "  There  seems  to  bean  utter  in- !  war  between  the  United  States  and  Greak 
capacity  in  England  of  comprehending  the  |  Britain. 


[1814. 

go  on  from 
iviiig  every 
10  iie(U)iiiit. 
oiisand  ox- 

<'<l,  l)Ut  till) 

;hiiii(M'a    to 
'J'(i  wliicli 

answering 
aljor  uiulor 
U'olitil)};;  liy 
icli  resjioots 
fiiul  luysolf 
'wl  in  my 
i-it."  Such 
sposed  and 
•Muon,  from 
ritish,  but 
io  hopos  of 
lappointod, 

sentimont 
ro  yet  live, 
thcireoun- 
islu'd  tlioro 
i<l  hospital- 
niinf^warm 
itional  prc- 
to  America 
n  war,  and 
«  over  the 

to  undor- 
1  oftspriiifT. 
il^od,  that 
to  of  naval 
Kuperiority 
momoraldo 
tho  liostili- 
t  any  othiu' 
and  Greafr 


Chap.  VII.] 


FOPxT  ERIE. 


145 


CIIAPTEIl  VII. 

SIEGE  AND  ASSAULT  OF,  AND   SORTIE   FROM,  FORT  ERIE  — IZARD'S  MARCH  FROM 
CIIAMPLAIN  TO  THE   NIAGARA— CLOSE  OF  THE   CAMPAIGN. 


After  tho  dunlieato  American  victories 
near  the  Great  Falls,  tho  residue  of  the 
Canadian  campai;;;n  was  a  bright  tissue 
of  American  triumphs,  in  frequent  con- 
flicts on  the  Niagara  and  at  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  the  British  in  evei-y  engagenient 
much  superior  in  numbers;  their  tone 
gradually  sinking,  while  ours  rose ;  theirs 
to  diffidence,  onrs  to  confidence  of  suc- 
cess ;  Ixiforo  the  end  of  autumn,  as  es- 
tiililished  by  land  as  water;  invaluable 
result  of  American  valor  organized  by  dis- 
cijiline,  the  best,  if  not  only,  assurance  of 
desirable  and  permanent  peace.  Thence- 
forth tlie  Am(>ric.in  standard  and  cause  were 
uniformly  ascendant ;  and  tlie  solitary  check 
by  the  i^'ipture  f>f  Wasliington,  under  sudi 
contrasting  victories  everywiiere  else,  to- 
g(!tlier  witli  the  barbarous  warfare  carried 
on,  and  tlie  still  more  atrocious  proclaimed 
by  authority  of  Great  Britain,  tending,  not 
to  dismay,  but  to  excite  and  unite  the  whole 
llnit(!d  States  (tf  America. 

Our  losses  of  the  25th  July,  at  Bridge- 
water,  did  not  prove  so  serious  as  were 
apprehended,  many  who  strayeil  away  un- 
der cover  of  night,  having  rejoined  tiieir 
columns,  tho  British  forces  being  greater 
sufTerors  tlian  ours  ;  and  General  Biplej' 
need  not  have  abandoned  his  position  at 
Chippewa. 

Monday,  the  1st  oP  August,  Commodore 
Chauncey,  partially  recovered  from  illness, 
was  carried  on  Ixiard  his  nisw  ship,  the 
Superior,  and  sailed  from  Sackett's  Harbor 
with  a  fleet  of  ten  sail  to  contend  against  a 
superior  British  fleet  for  the  control  of  Lake 
Ontario;  imt  then  without  service  to  Brown's 
army,  cooped  up  in  Fort  F-rie,  nearly  forty 
miles  beyond  the  Lake.  Two  British  brigs, 
howev(!r,  and  a  schooner  of  Yeo's  squail 
ron  were  blockaded,  at  Fort  Niagara,  by 
the  Jefferson,  the  Syljdi,  and  the  Oneida 
of  Chauncey's  fleet,  under  Captain  llidgley, 
commanding  the  Jefferson.  The  Prince 
Regent,  another  British  vessel,  mounting 
fourteen  guns,  was  run  ashore,  and  burned 
to  prevent  her  capture ;  and  C'hauncey, 
with  tho  rest  of  his  shipping,  blockaded 
Yco  at  Kingston.  Colonel  Mitchell  com- 
manded at  Sackett's  Harbor,  reinforced  for 
thirty  days  by  (iencral  Martin,  with  l,!}0{) 
Now  York  militia. 

Not  till  a  whole  week  after  being  worsted 

at  Bridgewater  was    Drummond  able    to 

move  forward,  on  the  .'Jd  of  August,  when 

he   stationed  about  four  thousand  troops 

10 


two  miles  east  of  Fort  Erie,  with  a  wood 
between  the  fort  and  his  encampment, 
finding  the  fort  too  strong  for  assault,  and 
determined  to  besiege  it.  Next  day,  4th  of 
August,  he  nuide  an  unsuccessful  attempt 
on  the  American  magazines,  which  Brown 
had  transferred  from  Schlosser  to  Buffalo, 
providently  guarded  liy  Major  Morgan, 
with  part  of  the  first  rifle  regiment,  taken 
from  Fort  Erie  for  that  purpose.  Early  on 
the  morning  of  the  4th,  Colonel  Tucker, 
with  twelve  hundred  men  in  twenty-three 
boats,  undertaking  to  destroy  or  capture  the 
magazines  at  Buffalo,  was  defeated  by  Major 
Morgan  with  two  huP'lred  and  forty  rifle- 
men, killing  and  wounding  some  of  the 
enemy,  and  putting  the  rest  to  flight.  Mor- 
gan hail  advantages  of  situation,  which  ho 
improved  liy  superior  vigilance,  intrepidity, 
and  coolness  so  much,  that  Colonel  Tuck- 
j  er's  party  was  reprimanded  in  general 
orders  for  his  failure. 

The  effects  of  not  onl}'  American  courage, 
but  of  the  formidable  exertion  of  it  by  su- 
j)erior  fire,  was  disclosed  on  this  occasion, 
less  in  Tucker's  defeat  than  the  explana- 
tion which  (leneral  Druinmond's  reproacli 
betrayed.  His  orders  of  the  5th  of  August, 
at  the  camp  before  Fort  Erie,  expressed  "  the 
indignation  excited  bv"  discovering  that 
the  failure  of  an  expedition,  the  success  of 
which,  by  destroying  the  enemy's  means  of 
subsistence  on  tiiat  side,  would  have  com- 
pelled his  force  to  surreudi^r,  or,  by  risking 
a  battle  on  the  plain  on  this  side,  encoun- 
ter certain  defeat,  was  attributable  to  the 
misbehavior  of  the  troops  employed.  It 
is  the  duty  of  officers  to  punish  tho  men 
tlioy  command  who  misbehave  in  face  of 
the  enemy  by  death  on  tho  spot.  From  the 
reports  of  officers  and  the  general's  own  ob- 
s(!rvation,  men  couch,  duck,  and  lie  down 
when  advancing  under  fire."  The  American 
rifle  had  made  deadly  impressions  to  pro- 
duce the  evasion  of  soldiers  and  confession 
of  their  chief,  thus  proclaimed  at  the  head 
of  ovei'y  British  regiment. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  by  one  of  the 
casualties  to  which  life,  civil  and  military, 
is  subject  Morgan  was  killed,  like  Major 
Holmes  about  tho  same  time,  in  an  unlucky 
skirmish ;  on  which  day  our  arms  under- 
went a  naval  reverse  where  one  of  our  first 
naval  exploits  took  place.  Captain  Dobb.--, 
of  tho  royal  navy,  with  his  gig  and  somo 
batteaux,  ronveyod  over  land  from  the  Ni- 
agara rive;-  to  Lake  Eric,  surprised  by  night 


«■■;»' 


'I. 


tei ; : 


I 


['  ■   -■  tf 

4. 


M 


146 


STORMING  OF  FORT  ERIE. 


[18M. 


ami  ciiptnrod  t\vn  movo  of  Povry's  sfiuadron,  j  order,  Wiis  often  heard  liy  General  Gaines, 


til 


le  scliooiiers 


01 


110 


and    Sonters,    niooriMl  \  liis    oiHoers    and    nuMi,    slidutin";,    in    tlic 


close  to  Kurt  Mrle  to  jircvent  \\  atcr  aitproai-ti 
to  it.  Mistaken  fir  provision  Imats  witli 
supplies  from  l>uflalo  fur  tii(!  fort,  tliey  were 
fullorod  to  dril'ton  the  hawstn's  of  tlie  A\iie- 
riean  sehooners,  which  they  eut,  hoarded 
and  seized,  eaoli  nionntinj;'  tlu'eo  lon;^  twelve 
ponnders,  and  manned  hy  thirty-livo  nn'n, 
Avithout  a  shot  fired  from  either  of  the  Ame- 
rican schooners,  or  fvom  a  third,  the  Poren- 
piiie,  anchored  close  Iiy,  who  cnt  her  cables 
am'  escaped,  or  from  the  fort;  althonj^h the 
IJriiisli  bo.arders  proclaimed  tlienis(dves  ]>y 
firinji  a  nnm1)er  t>f  muskets  and  pistols,  and 
other  eonunotion,  yet  wen;  suffered  to  drift 


midni,i;ht  conflict,  with  profane  brutality, 
to  ijivo  the  damned  Yankees  no  (piarter. 
liicutenant  3Icl)onoui;h,  entreatinj;-  quar- 
ter, was  refusi>d  it  by  l)rnmmond,  and 
murdered  defending!;  his  life  with  a  hand- 
spike in  a  desperate  encounter.  Lieuten- 
ant Fontaine,  another  youn;^  officer,  taken 
])risoner  by  the  Indians,  rejoiced  that  ho 
fortunately  ftdl  into  hands  less  sanguinary 
than  the  English.  IMieso  revolting  facts, 
officially  authenticated,  bcdong  to  the  re- 
cord of  liistory,  certifying  to  American 
idolatry  how  providential  and  indispen- 
sable was   tl'.e  arnjcd  repulsion,  overthrow 


to  Black  Rock  without  molestation,  vihen  it  and  punish  nent  of  British  masters,  wiio 
was  easy  to  subdue  them.  AVithout  dis-  would  base  been  monsters  of  tyranny  un- 
paraging  the  gallantry  of  the  assailants  in  resisted,  instciul  of  being  subdued  into  rc- 
this    enterprise,    their   success    was    much  '  spectful  amity. 

owing  to  the  negligent  supincness  of  our'  General  (!aines' position  on  the  nuirgln 
people.  i  of  the  lake,  whert;  the  river  Niagara  onup- 

During  several  days  Drummond  was  busy  I  ties  into  it,  a  horizontal  plain  a  few  feet 
in  preparations  to  take  Furt  Krit;,  which  !  aliove  the  water,  was  strengthened  by 
Gain(>s  was  e((ually  active  putting  in  order  ,  breastworks  in  front,  entrenclinHtnts  and 
lor  vigorous  (lefence.  IJoth  sides  were  r(;-  batteries.  The  small  untinisheil  Fort  Erie 
inforced.  Riplev  was  with  Gaines,  with  the  !  was  deffMuhnl  by  Captain  Williams,  sup- 
remnants  of  Ri])ley's  and  Pcott's  brigades,  ;  ))orted  by   Major  Triinbh''s   infantry;  the 


and  General  Porter  with  additional  volun 
teers  from  New  York  and  PiMinsylvania. 
At  sunrise  on  the  l.'Uh  of  August,  Drum- 
mond's  arrangements  lieing  eom])leted,  the 
cannonade  began  by  a  severe  bombardinent, 
reverberated  from  tl;o  fort  with  equal  ani- 
mation, and  sonu?  loss  ou  both  sides.  About 
sunsrc,  on  the  even  ..g  of  the  14tli,  a  Bri- 
tisli  shell  Inirst  in  the  magazine  of  the  bat- 
tery commanded  by  Cai)tain  'Williams,  ami 
Ijlew  up  the  nnigaziue  with  trememlous  ex- 
plosion, doing,  however,  no  damage.  The 
enemy,  supposing  from  the  noise  that  it 
must'  i)e    very   injurious,    raisou    exulting 


front  batteries  by  Gaptains  i'iddlo  and 
Fanning,  the  left  by  a  redoubt  of  which 
Captain  Towson  had  charge,  all  the  artil- 
lery comniandi'd  by  Major  Hindman.  Lieu- 
tenant-Colou'd  Aspinwall  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Uth,  11th  and  22d  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, from  a  few  weeks'  admirable  .ser- 
vice beconu!  the  vet'>ran  brigade  of  Seott. 
(jieneral  Rijiley  commanded  his  own  bri- 
gade, the  21st  and  2od  reginn'nts.  tJcMi'M'al 
Porter,  with  his  brigade  of  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania  volunteers,  occupied  tlu3  cen- 
tre, (.'(doiu^l  Fischer,  of  ]>(•  Wattt^ville's 
r(>giment.  led  one  of  tlu!  British  columns; 


shouts,  which  Williams  not  onlysent  back  in  Cohand  Druminond  a  second,  Li  .tenant- 
Lnuler  cheers,  )<ut  accompanied  liy  re)ieated  Colonel  Scott  the  third.  '.  'e  first  point 
discharges  fvom  his  battery.  Still  the  British  |  assaulted  was  d  ftMKled  Ity  Jiajor  Wood  of 
commander,  encouraged  by  that  supposed  ,  the  engineers,  volunteering  to  head  the  2l8t 
diminution  of  ammunition,  and  by  Pobbs'  i  regiment  of  infantry,  and  by  Captain  Tow- 
capture  of  the  seliooners,  ami  having,  as  he  |  son.     Wading  breast  deep  through  the  wa- 

"  ter,   th(>   British  column    advanced  in   the 

dark  within  ten  feet  of  the  American  lino 
again  and  again,  but  was  constantly  re- 
pulsed. 1'he  left,  attacked  by  Scott,  was 
defi-nded  by  Major  M'Ree,  with  the  9th 
regiment,  under  Captain  Foster,  and  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  under 
Captains  Bo\ighton  and  Harding.  Colonel 
])rummond,  witli  his  column  and  the  sea- 
nu'n  uvider  Cajttain  Dobbs,  assaulted  the 
centre  with  a  dar  ng  C(airage,  of  whiidi  h  i- 
nnmity  was  no  pi'rt.  With  scaling  ladders 
he  led  his  sanguinary  followers  up  the 
parapet  of  the  (dd  fort,  but  was  driven  l)ack 
with  great  carnage.  Again  twice  mount- 
iuii  after  b"ing  tlu'ice  repcdled,  they  moved 


thought,  made  sufficient  impression  utlior 
wise  by  his  bombardment,  "-solved  to  storm 
the  fort  that  night.  General  Gaines,  a  vigi- 
lan,  and  spirited  offit-'er,  inferring  the  proba- 
Ijility  of  the  design  from  the  sanu;  cause, 
was  on  the  alert,  and  ke|)t  one-third  of  his 
men  at  their  posts  the  whole  of  atlark,  wet 
night  in  th.at  humid,  nnu'althy  region.  At 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  loth  of 
September,  the  British  troops,  in  three  co- 
lumns of  some  fifteen  hundre  1  each,  moved 
in  obscurity  and  silence  to  t!ie  assault. 
Their  watchword  was  Sled.  ( i  eneril  Drum- 
mond's  written  orders  of  attack  recommend- 
ed a  fr(!e  use  of  the  bay. -net  against  tin 


merely  fifteen  hundred  men  fit  for  «luty,  and 

they  much  dispirited,  wiiom  ho  estinnited  |  round  by  the  ditch  in  total  darknes.t,  and 
to  his  troops  as  the  American  garrison,  j  once  more  mounting  with  scaling  ladders, 
Colonel  Drummoud,  executing  that  severe  |  overpowered  and  killed  with  pikes  and  bayo- 


ClIAl 


[18J4. 


ho  21st 


Chap.  VII.] 


GENERAL  IZARD. 


147 


nets  Williams  andJtcDonoufrh,  with  scvoml  i  (iiiomy  hy  this  defeat  suffered  a  lesson  of 
men,  soverely  ■wounded  Lieutenant  AVat-  \  lasting  impression,  which  was  not  disguisod 
mough,  and  carried  the  Invstion,  of  whi<  h  !  in  tlie  official  dispatches  ol'Colono]  Fiseluu*, 
fur  more  tlian  an  hour  tiicy  helil  possession,  :  (ieiieral  iM'ummond  and  (Jovernor  i*revost. 
defeating  reiterated  efforts  of  our  people  to  (laines'ofHcial  accountsweretlu! first  tidings 
dislodge  them.  There  it  was  tliat  McDo- ;  of  victory  to  counteract  tlie  disastrous  rout 
nough,  overcome,  entreating  ((uarter  in  df  Uladensfnirg  and  fall  of  ^^'asilington,  for 
vain,  ami  desperately  defending  ids  life  I  which  a  tliird  triumjdi  on  the  Niagara  was 
witii  a  handspik(>,  was  nun'di>re(l  liy  Drum- 1  some  consolation;  welcomed  as  the  fore- 
mond,  who  hnnself  was  shot  in  tlie  hreast }  runner  of  still  greater  in  tliat  quarter,  con- 
1)y  a  soldier,  and  put  to  death  with  no  qimr-  fidently  aiitieipatiid,  but  never  realizcnl  by 
^cr  expiring  on  his  lips  as  he  fidl.  ]lepuls(Ml  |  tiio  nnireh  of  (leneral  I/ard  to  the  rescue 
on  the  h>ft,  master  of  the  fort  in  the  ccuitre,  i  of  (Jenin-al  Brown's  division.  The  effect  of 
and  strenuously  contending  for  footliold  on  |  (Jaines*  vi(rt'.ry  was  to  insjiirethe  neiglibor- 
the  riglit,  the  enemy  for  a  long  time  main- 1  ing  militia  with  sucii  confulcncc  instead  of 


tained  tlie  battle  fiercely  raging,  (ieneral 
Gaincf ,  while  striving  to  regain  tlie  bastion, 
ordered  reinforcements  also  to  the  riglit, 
which  were  promptly  sent  l)y  (Jeiierals 
liipley  and  I'orter,  botti  of  whom  wen^ 
constantly  active  and  sagaeious  to  face 
every  danger  and  supjily  every  want.  Tiie 
victory  was  in  no  snnill  measure  ascribalile 


tlie  panic  formerly  prevalent  among  them, 
that  tliousands  were  willing  to  volunteer 
tor  service  at  Fort  Erie,  wiiere  the  aid  of 
tinvt  poi'tion  of  the  war  faculties  was  soon 
after  manifest(!d  in  ISrown's  sortie,  the  suc- 
cess of  which  was  largidy  attributalile  to 
militia  volunteers,  (ieneral  Haines,  (,'ap- 
talns  IJiddle,  Fanning,  iJvrdsall,  and  Liou- 


to  the  infantry  covering  tlie  artillery  ami  tenant  Jlall,  wero  l)r(>V(>tted  for  their  cou- 
protectiiig  th(>m  at  their  guns.  While  Ma- i  <luct  at  Fort  Erie  the  l;"tii  August, 
jors  irinibnau  and  Tvinible,  Captains  Foster  I  Jlore  regiments  l)eing  ad<led  to  the  Bri- 
and  JJyrdsali,  repeatedly  failed  by  many  i  tish  force  on  tlu^  Niagara,  and  the  '>ecro- 
devices  of  dauntless  courage  to  recover  the  tary  of  War's  iuclimition  for  attircking 
bastion,  of  which  the  enemy  kept  possession  ■  Kingston  remaining  iUH'hang(Ml,  ab(  ut  the 
for  more  than  an  hour,  and  the  conflict  on  middle  of  July,  1814,  (ieneral  Iza^,!  was 
the  riglit  was  still  undetermined,  an  aeei-  ordered  from  Lake  Champlain.  with  four 
dent  fixed  the  fate  of  the  night  as  and  nearly  I  thousand  men,  to  .Sack(.'tt's  llarlior.  His 
•where  a  similar  occurroneo  brought  it  on.  t  own  admiration  of  wliat  he  called  Brown's 
Some  cartridges  deposited  in  a  stone  build-  [  lieroic  efforts,  and  the  Secretary's  natural 
ing  occupie<l  by  the  Americans  near  the  <l(>sire  to  succor  them,  induced  an  alterrn- 
bastion  held  jjy  the  British,  exploded  with  }  tive  plan  i'or  Izard;  if  he  should  find  at 
terrific  uproar,  which  struck  the  latter  with  |  Sackett's  lIar))or  Kingston  unassailable, 
panic.  In  vain  their  surviving  officers  as-  then  he  wiis  to  land  his  division  on  the 
sured  their  men  that  it  was  an  accident,  i  western  sliore  of  Ontario,  and  co-operate 
not  a  mine,  and  oiid(>avored  to  rally  them  :  with  Brown  against  Drummond. 
to  renewed  contest.  Captain  Biddle,  at  tliat  j  On  the  first  of  May,  IS14,  Izard,  elder  of 
crisis,  by  General  Gaines'  direction,  wound- 1  the  junior  major-generals,  an  officer  of  great 
cd  as  the  captain  was  l)y  a  shell  contusion,  |  t)r(unise,  withdrawn  by  the  Seci-ctary  of 
enfiladed  with  his  piece  tiie  exterior  ]dain  i  War  from  the  court  martiel  for  Wilkin- 
and  ghuds,  while  Captain  Fanning  from  son's  trial,  was  onlered  to  IMattsliurg;  and 
his  batt(>rY  dealt  execution  upon  the  enemy,  '  on  tlio  4th  of  tliat  month  assumed  command 
who  all  tied,  towards  dawn,  in  complete !  of  the  north  military  district,  which  had 
disord(!r  .md  disnni}',  leaving  Colonels  i  proved  fatal  to  Deartiorii,  AVilkinson,  and 
Drummond  and  Scott  with  222  dead,  174  lIam)iton;  awd  injuriinis  to  Chandler,  Win- 
wounded,  18('>  jirisoners,  and  a  great  many  ;  tier,  Boyd,  and  the  secretary  himself.  Izard 
more  killed  and  woun<!ed  fallen  into  the  was  one  of  the  very  few  Americans  whoso 
water  not  enumerated,  altogether  a  loss  of  i  only  voeation  had  been  war,  for  which 
9G2  men,  while  that  of  tlie  Americans  was  ;  lie  was  educated  in  Europe,  and  served 
only  .S4.  Disparity  of  not  om^  to  ten  attested  ;  long  in  America.  In  the  meridian  of  life, 
not  only  the  superior  gunnery,  but  riveted  |  with  many  excellent  military  (^inilifications, 
a  conviction,  grown  strong  in  both  armies  ;  however,  he  wanted  the  adajitalion  (U*  ]ili- 
nnd  both  countries,  that  disciplined  valor,  i  ancy  indis)iensal)le  to  unavoidalilo  circum- 
whicli  saves  much  liloodshed,  was  the  only  stances.  Brave,  aiiil)itious,  and  honoraliie, 
need  and  indubitable  warranty  of  American  !  Huropean  education,  manners,  haliits,  and 
success.     Foiled  in  his  first  attack  on  Tow-   iileas  unfitted  hiiii,  if  not  for  the  situation 


son's  battery,  sujiported  by  the  2.")th  in-  lu- was  called  upon  to  fill,  at  any  rate  for 
fantry,  again  repulsed  by  Ripley  and  Wood,  the  part,  at  the  time,  he  had  to  |ierfirm. 
attempting  to  turn  the  western  batteries,  i  An  old  soldier  in  theory  and  garrison  ser- 
and  though  for  a  while  in  possession  of  an  ;  vice,  scientific  and  well-informed,  rigid  in 
exterior  central  bastion,  at  length  driven  j  disciplim>,  and  laudably  stricter  with  offi- 
froni  every  point  in  panic  and  confusion,  |  eers  than  privates,  ho  despised  militia  vo- 
with  the  loss  of  a  fourth  of  their  force,  the   lunteers,  political  popularity,  and  more  than 


■.■rf- 


f:. 


■     f-K': 


148 


IZARD'S  ARMY. 


[1814. 


I;.-   1'- 


■ 
• 

i^-^ 

U'':   *■ 

i 

confor,«infr.  ho  linastod  that  Oon.  Urown  was 
hotter  qualitiod  thiiii  \w  to  ci't?*!)!!!!!!!  the  irre- 
giihir  levies  ol' which  'lu  Aiiuu-n,;'!!  army  is 
the  c()in|)oslte  order.  If  war  had  lasted  Unij; 
enoui^ii  to  or{;aiii'/,e  hirjic  anuiois  of  roj^uhir 
poldiers,  unih-r  veteran  officert<,  Izard  nii;rht 
have  proved  a  superior  hiador.  But  for  the 
conjuncture  lie  was  placed  in,  liis  education 
■was  a  disa(lvantan;e ;  and  he  incurred  more 
odium,  particuhiriy  in  the  malediction  of 
Oencral  Armstronjf,  than  (leneral  I/.ard  de- 
served. Discord,  the  military  distemper 
amonji;  our  northern  commanders,  hy  which 
Wilkinson,  Hampton,  and  Armstrong  suffer- 
ed, affected  Izard,  Armstrong,  and  Brown, 
whose  dislike  of  each  other  not  only  dete- 
riorated their  measures,  l)ut  renders  it  diffi- 
cult to  doscrilie  them  with  impartiality  and 
justice.  Assuming:  tlie  command  of  the 
division  of  the  right  of  the  north  district  on 
Lake  Champlain,  General  Izard  found  what 
he  repr{>sented  to  the  Secretary  of  War  a 
deploraldo  state  of  almost  total  inellicioney; 
forces  extremely  few  in  numl)cr,  not  paid 
for  a  lonji;  arreara;:;e,  many  officers  absent 
on  furlough,  those  present  mostly  incajiahle. 
men  undisciplined,  unclothed,  altogether 
unfit  for  service.  If  Brown  had  been  al- 
lotted to  that  station,  un.accustomed  to  the 
perfection  of  military  oi-ganization,  and 
willing  to  make  tlie  Ijcst  of  tilings,  he  pro- 
hably  would  have  found,  instead  of  reason 
for  complaint,  motive  for  greater  activity: 
for  his  and  Jackson's  raw  and  motley  re- 
cruits were  worse  when  led  to  victory  in 
Canada  and  Louisiana.  Ignorant  officei;s, 
and  vagal loud  jjrivates,  diseases,  desertion, 
the  common  tlisordors  of  camp  are  not  more 
inevitable  embarrassments  to  an  American 
general  than  the  sujioradded  want  of  unity, 
often  the  timidity,  and  [lenury  of  his  govern- 
ment. Izard's  first  rcviewcould  nut  produce, 
he  complained,  an  aggregate  force  of  m<jre 
than  two  thousand  etl>;ctives,  and  those  raw, 
ill  clad,  and  worse  disciplini.'d :  the  drago')ns 
and  riflemen  deserting  for  want  of  pay. 
When  the  troops  were  paid,  he  regretted 
their  receipt  of  so  much  money  at  one  time, 
and  would  i-ejoice  when  it  was  all  spent. 
"Yes,"  said  th<.' secretary,  "our  armies  are 
very  great  when  estimated  for  jiay,  but  very 
small  in  the  field."  The  number  of  soldiers 
taken  to  serve  in  the  navy  was  considerablt!. 
The- clothing  was  <]f  v(n-y  badrjuality;  some 
of  the  men  literally  n.akeil;  the  artilleiy 
was  all  light  pieces;  the  funds  in  the  (piar- 
tormister-general's  han<ls  very  low,  at  one 
time  not  more  than  one  thousand  dollars ; 
the  state  of  things,  acknowledgeil  by  Arm- 
strong to  Izard,  was  truly  degrading  and 
reproachful;  and  without  discipline,  order, 
and  economy,  he  pronounced  an  army  a 
nuisance.  'I'lu;  enlistments  were  many  of 
them  for  only  one  year,  the  climate  fright- 
ful, the  mortality  prodigious;  of  IGD  re- 
cruits, 20  dcsert(!d  cm  their  march  from 
(ireeubush  to  IMattsbi  rg.    Haw  officers  in 


diai  go  of  raw  roorults.  wero  exhibitions  in 
oven  the  (dd  regiments  exciting  ridicule  as 
well  as  disgust.  Duels  among  the  officers 
wore  extremely  frequent,  and  desertion  by 
the  privates,  caused  by  blows  unlawfully 
inflicted  by  inferior  officers;  time  wasted 
in  courts  martial;  from  the  St.  Lawrence 
to  the  ocean  open  ('isregard  (tf  the  law  pro- 
hibiting intercourse  with  the  enemy,  des- 
tined for  whom  the  road  to  St.  Regis  was 
covered  with  droves  of  cattle  and  the  river 
with  rafts;  the  high  roads  insufficient  for 
the  supplies  of  cattle  pouring  into  Canada, 
like  herds  cf  buffaloes  making  paths  for 
themselves  through  the  woods ;  without 
which  suyiplies  the  British  forces  would 
suffer  from  famine,  or  their  government  be 
at  enormous  e.xpenso  to  maintain  them. 
Many  of  tho  officers  from  the  eastward, 
(leneral  Izard  assured  tho  Secretary  of 
War,  sent  in  their  resignations  on  the  ap- 
pearance of  active  service;  and  last,  Ity  nc 
means  tho  least  grievance  to  a  gentleman 
of  Carolina,  when  recruited  regiments  from 
tho  east  did  come,  many  of  their  men  wero 
negroes,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  the  offi- 
cers ami  soldiers,  who  refused  to  ilo  duty 
with  them.  This  bitter  decoction  of  I/.ard's 
grievances,  Armstrong  aggravated  by  add- 
ing to  the  ingredients;  while  Brown,  with 
fewer  and  worse  appointed  levies,  pursued 
his  way  to  victory  and  glery.  This  contrast 
is  not  intended  to  disparage  educated,  or 
oven-value  s(df-made,  officers.  But  without 
conforming  to  the  inevitable  imperfections 
of  Am;;rican  hostilities,  the  most  accom- 
plished officers  will  rarely  succeed  to  carry 
thcni  on.  There  is  genius  for  (!ircuni- 
stances,  which  war,  however  scientific  and 
methodical,  reiiuires  more  than  either  edu- 
cation or  experience. 

!)•  midsummer,  Izard's  division  amount- 
ed o  seven  thousand,  and  more,  of  regular 
s(d  licrs,  as  well  officered,  drilled,  and  pre- 
pared for  action,  as  any  portion  of  the 
A  rierican  army ;  tho  officers,  generally, 
enger  for  distinction.  The  regiment  of 
lii  lit  artillery,  two  squadrons  of  dragoons, 
a  'jattalion  of  the  first  rifle  regiiiKMit,  and 
sisteen  nominal  regiments  of  infantry,  tho 
fou  til,  fifth,  sixth,  tenth,  twelfth,  thirtcsenth, 
fou.  teeiith,  fifteenth,  sixteenth,  twenty- 
nint'i, thirtieth,  thirty-first,  thirty-third,  thir- 
ty-fo\'rtli,  thirty-seventh,  and  forty-fifth, 
were  t!ispos(;d  into  three  brigades,  command- 
ed by  I'rigadier-Cenerals  Macomb,  Smith, 
and  Bissell,  with  Adjutant-General  Cum- 
mlng,  Inspector-General  I'inkncy,  and  Ma- 
jor 'Totten  as  engineer.  High  expoctaticma 
wero  entertained  by  tho  Executive,  tho 
country,  and  the  army  generally,  of  General 
Izard  and  his  division  ;  all  of  which  wore 
ilisappointed.  Reserved,  exclusive,  and  high 
tempered,  the  general,  more  respected  than 
liked,  failing  to  accomplish  the  intnortant 
objects  assigned  to  him,  eclipsed  by  Brown, 
on  his  left,  and  Macomb,  on  his  right,  ia 


[1814. 

xliibitions  in 
il  ridifiilo  as 
tlio  officers 
Ic'scrtion  by 
uiiljuvfully 
tinio  wasted 
t.  LawriMico 
tli<^  law  pro- 
eiipniy,  des- 
t.  I\e<j;i.s  was 
nd  the  river 
niffic'ient  for 
nto  Canada, 
f?  I)atlis  for 
Is ;    witliout 
jreea  would 
iorninent  be 
tain    them. 
a   eastward, 
loeretiiry   of 
on  the  ap- 
last,  by  nc 
goiitlcnian 
inients  from 
■  men  were 
of  the  offi- 
to  ilo  duty 
n  of  Izard's 
ted  by  add- 
Jrown,  with 
es,  pursued 
hiseontrast 
duuated,  or 
Jut  witliout 
1  perfections 
lost  accom- 
ed  to  cai-ry 
or   circum- 
ientifie  and 
either  edu- 

un  amount- 

of  rejrular 
1,  and  pre- 
ion   of  the 

generally, 
igiment   of 

dra^^oona, 
inient,  and 
fantry,  the 
tliirtcienth, 
,     twenty- 
third,  thir- 
forty-fifth, 
connnand- 
ib,  Smith, 
.'ral   Cum- 
■,  and  Ma- 
pectations 
itive,    the 
)f  General 
Inch  were 
,  and  high 
ictcd  than 
ininortant 
ly  Ihown, 

riglit,  iu 


Chap.  VII.] 


IZARD'S  MARCH. 


149 


signal  victories,  was  compared  with  them 
to  his  great  disfavor.     (*ii  thi>  11th  of  .J\ine, 
the  Secretary  of  War  advised  (ieneral  1/ard 
of  the  plan  of  campaign:  which  sent  Cro- 
ghan    to  the  northwest,  and    IJi'own   into 
Canada,  on  the  Niagara.     Win;  i  l^rown's 
first  su(!cess,  by  the  battle  of  (.'liippcwa,  and 
his    subset|uent    embarrassmen  s    liccanie  ■ 
pulilic,  (J(!neral  Izard,  on   th(!    I'Jtli  July,  j 
looking  with   uneasiness    to  that  ((n.irter,  i 
infpiired  whether  he  n\ight  not  to  move  to 
the  St.  Lawrence  and  threaten  the  rear  of 
Kingston.     On  the  27th  of  July,  the  Secre- 
tary, between  the  affairs  at  Chippewa  and 
IJridgowater,  excited,  gratified,  yet  uneasy 
at  Brown's  predicament,  sugg(>sted  to  Izard, 
without  ordering  him,  to  try  some  enter- 
prise  nnMuicing  Montreal,  or  some    other  I 
jdace  liigher  u])  the  St.  Lawrence,  a  demon- 1 
strati(m  or  attack  on  Kingston,  or  a  junc-i 
tion  with  (Ieneral  (Jaines.     On  the  I'ith  of 
August,  Izard  was  ordered,  if  the  enemy 
carried  his  force  from  Montreal  to  King- 
.ston,  instead  of  the  proposed  attack  there, 
to  substitute  the  safer  movement  of  expedi- 
tiously   marching    four   thousand   nu'u    to 
Sackett's  Harbor,  procee(ling  to  t!ie  ht^ad  of 
the  lake,  putting  himself  in  communication 
with  the  division  of  the  left  (IJrowu)  and 
throwing  liis  whole  force  on  Drummond's 
rear. 

IJy  that  time  largo  reinftu-cements  from 
Europe  were  known  to  be  in  Canada ;  (iene- 
ral Izard's  l)elief  was  no  doubt  well  found- 
ed that  forces  superior  to  his  were  imme- 
diately in  his  front;  and  the  hostile  incursion 
to  Washington  was  so  near  its  execution, 
that  the  Secretary  of  War,  anxious  for 
Brown,  and  incredulous  to  the  last  of  any 
march  upon  Washington,  was  nevertheless 
much  engaged  in  arrangements  to  prevent 
or  repel  it.  IJrown  was  a  favorite  with  the 
Secretary — Izard  considered,  him  a  pi^t. 
'lis  own  force  become  res|)('ctal)le ;  his  jio- 
sition,  as  ho  thought,  tenable  ;  his  opportu- 
nity for  distinction,  very  promising;  ho  re- 
volted at  being  withdrawn  from  such  a  thea- 
tre, to  be  marched  hundreds  of  miles  tores- 
cue  his  inferior  from  a  predicament  of  his 
own  making.  "Three  hundred  miles,"  as 
he  said,  "«  'ol  iVoi.teun."  Four  hundred 
miles  of  what  Napoleon  in  Poland  called 
the  new  element  of  mud,  of  wilderness, 
and  fatigue ;  with  superior  Rritish  forces 
in  front  and  flank ;  to  harass,  interce])t, 
perhaps  defeat  and  capture  him.  lle- 
tirenuMit  from  a  field  of  glory  tor  a  pil- 
grimage which  no  expedition,  ho  chos(i  to 
think,  Avould  enable  him  to  ]terform  in  time 
to  be  of  any  service  ;  and  that  service,  even 
if  ort'ect(Hl  to  relievo  his  inferior,  in  a 
strait  caused  by  his  own  rashness,  were  a 
task  which  Izard  undertook  with  .avowed 
reluctance  and  undissembbnl  ill-humor. 
Although  his  moveuicnt  to  the  west  to  suc- 
cor Brown  was  Izard's  own  suggestion, 
shortly  before,  ho  obeyed,  disclaiming  all 


responsibility  for  what  he  predicted  must 
be  the  fatal  conseipiences,  only  promising 
to  execute  his  (.'ders  as  well  as  he  knew 
how.  On  the  ti'.'th  of  August,  with  the 
dragoons,  light  artillery,  fourth,  fifth,  tenth, 
twelfth,  tlh-^'M-nth,  fnurte<Mith.  fifteenth, 
sixteenth,  and  forty-lif'th  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, al)(uit  four  thousand  eiiiu'tives.  (ientv 
ral  Izard  began  his  recalcitrant  and  jirocras- 
tinating  march  towards  Sackett's  Ilarboi, 
with  Brigadier-(  ienerals  Smith  and  Biss(dl ; 
leaving  ".ieneral  Macomb  with  about  three 
thousan  1  nuMi — about  twenty-five  hundred 
of  them  I't  for  duty — at  IMattsburg.  Ordered 
from  the  theatn;  of  anticipated  renown ; 
confident  that  the  enemy  would  attack,  and 
believing  that  ho  would  be  dofeated,  even 
one  of  serener  tcMnjier  might  lose  his  equa- 
nimity when  the  (juarrel  that  ensued  be- 
came acrimonious  and  inveterate  between 
Izard,  Armstrong,  and  Brown;  though 
Brown  took  litth;  part  in  it,  and  never  quar- 
reled with  Armstrong.  The  latter,  unfortu- 
nate in  so  many  of  his  generals  and  plans, 
accused  Izard  of  want  of  sjiirit.  Tear  of 
responsibility  may  have  disturbed  him  ;  but 
no  ]iersonal  ap])rehcnsion  caused  the  tardy 
compliance  by  which  he  submitted  to  a  pro- 
voking order,  his  non-execution  of  Avhich 
in  time  to  bo  of  any  avail,  afforded  his 
lieutenant  Macomb  and  his  inf'(;  lor  in  rank, 
BroAvn,  opportunity  of  distinctiim,  which 
they  improved  to  their  own  great  advan- 
tage and  General  Izard's  lasting  mortifica- 
tion. Taking  advice  of  a  council  of  war 
as  to  the  best  way  to  go,  all  his  superior 
officers  were  unanimously  of  opinion  that 
the  longest  was  the  right  way.  To  the  Se- 
cretary's great  annoyance,  going  that  way, 
the  general  travelled  but  fifteen  miles  a 
day,  which  the  Secretary  condemned  as 
unmilitary.  But  the  roads  were  bad,  tho 
weiitli(>r  worse,  and  it  was  Izard's  endeavor, 
ho  saifl,  not  to  exhaust  his  men  by  fatigue 
or  ex]Kjsure.  On  the  13th  of  Se])tend)er, 
from  Sackett's  llarb;)r  he  advised  Bro\>  n  of 
his  arrival  there,  and  intention  to  proceed 
to  the  head  of  the  lake  to  jilace  himself  in 
the  rear  of  tho  British  forces  in  Brown's 
front.  On  tho  10th  of  September,  from 
Erie,  having,  though  wounded,  resumed 
comnnind  there,  Brown  Avroto  to  Izard,  im- 
ploring help.  His  total  effective  force  did 
not  then  much  exceed  two  thousand,  whdo 
that  of  the  enemy  was  four  thousand.  "  I 
will  not  conceal  from  you,"  said  Brown, 
"  that  tho  fate  of  this  army  is  very  doubtful, 
unless  speedy  relief  is  atforded."  Next  day 
Brown  again  assured  Izard,  that,  should  ho 
pass  rapidly  there,  it  would  be  in  his  pow(!r 
to  carry  everything  in  tho  peninsula.  On 
the  Kith  of  September,  Izard's  army  reached 
Sackett's  Harbor,  where,  that  day,  ho  had 
tho  mortification  to  learn  Macomb's  glo- 
rious diifeat  of  Provost,  prefaced  by  Mac- 
donough's  still  more  glorious  victory  on  tho 
lake.     At  tho  same  time,  tho  murmur  of 


W?. 


f. 


% 


I', 


ir',1V: 


1^  :: 


150 


SOllTIE  FROM  FOllT  EKIK 


[1814. 


pnlilii'  sontinioni  ('ciisiircd  liis  iinicriistiiiii- '  mnrc  tliim  lifti'cii  Iiniidrcd  rcj^iilnr  Kuldicrs, 
tiiin,  iind  iisi-rilird  tn  liis  iiii'i'i-ini'  tlu'  (ivcr-;  (licv  r;iti;:;ii('d  |i_v  t'oMtiiuial  ciiiilliftM  niid  iii- 
tlircw  (li'n  liiriri-  llritisli  I'lii-cc  liv  the  frw  re- 1  cli'iin'iit  wciitlici',  and  ns  iiuiili  disiiiritcd  ns 


cniits  iind  invalids  wliicli  Izurd  was  at 


ciisi'd  ]  siicli  ini'ii  I'll 


111  liavin;;  icil  with  .Mai'uinh.  IMi  the  litli 
(jf  S('|)t('nilu'r,  (luc  of  tilt'  viidi'iit  i'<|iiin<ictial 
stiinns  of  that  ti'iniK'stiimis  rcicioii  h('u;ai'. 
uitli  torrents  id'  ram,  and  it  was  iiupossi- 
1df>  to  cmliark  the  troops.  In  tlic  cvcnin;:; 
of  the  I'.Uli,  t lie V  Wert'  taken  on  hoard  ("iiaiiii- 
<'e_v's  s(|ii!idron,  to  tlic  nunilier  of  three 
tl>oiis:ind. 

On  the  ilOth  of  Septeiulier  the  troops 
nailed  from  Saekett's  llarlior.  and  next 
da',  were  diseinliarked  at  the  nunilli  id' 
(ienesee  river,  still  far  from  IJnlfalo  or 
Erie;  nor  was  it  till  the  'J-lth  of  St']i- 
temher  that  wa;i;oiis  and  horses,  for  the 
traiispiirtation  of  their  eaini)  (M|ni]in;!;e  and 
j)rovisions.  eould  he  proetired  in  thaMhinlv 
peo|)h!d  (piarter.  'l'hroii;;h  exeessively  had 
roads,  and  eontinnal  lieiivv-  rains,  tli(\v 
niarcdnMl  to  llatavia,  nearlv  all  the  oilieers 
on  foot :  and  there  nnderwent  tlie  further 
niortilieation  of  liMrnin^  that  Urown,  liv 
his  sortie  id"  the  ITtii,  had  didixcred  him- 
self from  all  need  of  I/ard's  htdi>  to  defend 
liim,  then  wanti'd  only  to  enalde  them  to- 
,t!;ether  to  capture  Urnmmoiid — a  eonsnni- 
mation  universally  and  eonlidently  antiei- 
]iated  at  AVasliini^ton  and  everywhere  ; 
which  would  hav(>  l.dd  in  Aineriean  annals 
and  repute  like  Hnrj^'oyne's  surrender  at 
Saratojia,  whieh  liroiij;;ht  France  to  alli- 
iVULM^  with  ihe  United  .States  ;  or  tlw  sur- 
render of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  which 
produced  the  treaty  of  [ndepeiideni-e. 

fieavin^tieneral  Izard  at  Hatavia.  wemnst 
return  to  OiMieral  lirown,  at  Fort  Krie,  whi- 
ther, hefore  he  went  on  the  2d  of  Se])teiii)ier, 
ho  wrote  on  the  ;!lst  Au^^ust,  jiratefiilly  to 
Armstronu;,  offensively  to  Izard,  and  man- 
fully for  hims(df,  thankin;^  the  Secretary 
for  havinjz;  <  .ilered  Izard  to  his  ndiid';  luit 
nddinsi,  "wdiat  I  hear  of  (Jeneral  Izard's /i"/- 
hi/s,  iinniiifrs  and  //(A';i^/i<;(.v  is  so  unsatisfac- 
tory, that  I  hojie  nothin;:;  from  him.  Cidmnd 
Snellin;!,  his  most  intimate  and  confidential 
friend,  warns  us  a;:aiiist  ]daeinn-  any  confi- 
dence in  his  suppori,  kih^win;^  his  aver- 
sion to  th(!  servic  ^^iveii  him,  and  his 
nnif)rin  intention  not  to  ptrform  it.  A\'e 
must,  therefore,  if  saved,  do  the  business 
ourselves," 

From  the  time  lirnwn  nohly  devoted  him- 
,solf  to  fail  or  conquer  with  his  bravo  com- 
rades in  the  fort,  the  American  and  liri- 
tish  commanders.  Brown  and  l)rninmnnd, 
under  torrents  of  incessant  rain  in  that  insa- 
lulirious  climate,  both  disabled  by  wounds 
for  the  most  active  duties,  nevertheless 
]iesto\v(Ml  theniseivi>s  day  and  ni;^'ht  in  con- 
stant prejiarations,  one  tocajitnre,  the  other 
to  <lefend,  tin;  corner  of  Canada  so  lonu; 
and  severidycontested.  As  Drummond  told 
liis  trooiis,  to  encoura;;e  them  to  the  assault 
of  the  15th  of  Sopteuibor,  Brown  hud  not 


uld  be  by  little  hope  of  eMectual 
ridief  or  nltimati'  triumph.  Capiliilalion 
seemed  to  be  their  doom:  for  though  Izard 
was  promisecl  and  even  expected  i'or  their 
succor,  yet  when  heard  td',  he  was  at  Sciie- 
nectady,  Said^ett's  Harbor,  or  (dsewhere  far 
off,  marc!iiii;i  only  fifteen  miles  a  day,  iind 
many  days  not  at  all.  (ieneral  lirowii,  there- 
fore, from  the  moment  he  resuiiK-d  com- 
nniiid,  went  to  work,  as  he  said,  with  an  anx- 
ious hy)iotliesis,  //'saved,  to  do  the  business 
ttiimisidvcs,  without  depending;  on  help  from 
any  (piart''r.  Another  j:;eneral,  however, 
I'eter  IJ.  Porter,  was  as  indefatit;able  in  his 
endeaviM's  to  raise  vidiiiiteer  militia  as  he 
was  ardent,  steadfast  and  exemplai'V  in  pre- 
iiarini:;  them  for  action,  and  leading;  them 
into  it  on  all  occasions. 

The  Hritish  army,  under  Lieutenant-iio- 
neral  Dnimmond,  with  Major-dencrals  l)o 
Waiteville  and  Stovin,  in  threi'  infantry 
bri;;;ades  of  from  twidve  to  fifteen  hundred 
men  each,  besides  artilleiT,  wer<>  encamped 
ill  a  field  surrounded  by  womls,  nearly  two 
miles  from  their  batteries  and  (Mitrciudi- 
ments,  in  onb'r  to  ke(>p  tlie  working;  parties 
detailed  i'or  tliom  out  (d'  rea(  li  of  the  Ame- 
rican fir(>.  A  liri^ade  of  infantry  attended 
tlio  artillerists  wdien  at  work.  'I'wo  batte- 
ries were  completed,  a  third  was  in  rapid 
]iro2;ress.  all  nmunti'd  with  heavy  jjuns,  one 
id"  them  a  (iS  pounder,  and  stored  with  'ar;^o 
(piantiti(>s  of  ammunition.  Diirin;;;  seven 
liays  yireccMlini;-  the  sortie,  there  was  a  con- 
tinual equinoctial  storm  (d'  rain,  whiidi  did 
not,  however,  ]n-ovent  frequent  skirmishes 
and  affairs  id'  )iosts,  and  favored  many  ile- 
s(>rtions  from  the  Kn^lish  camp.  For  tho 
last  three  days  they  were  unusually  quiet; 
from  wiiiidi  portentous  silence,  adil(>d  to  all 
other  iinlications,  no  doubt  wasontertained 
that  thi'ir  assault  would  soon  be  nunle.  From 
tho  moment  whi'ii  (ieneral  IJiMwn  assumed 
connnand,  ho  carefully  and  thoroujjihly  mado 
himself  acquainted  with  tho  topo^i-rajdiical 
r(dati(tiis  between  the  IJritish  covcn"in<>;  par- 
ties, their  men  at  work,  their  batteries  and 
his,  and  came  to  tho  conidusion  that  liy  a 
sudden  onslautrht  ho  minht  disturli,  if  not 
dostrfiy,  their  fifty  days'  labors,  lo.stoad  of 
a  surprise  by  nijfht,  it  was  residvod  to  nuikn 
tho  attack  at  midday,  when  si  bold  i\nd 
ha'zardons  an  enterprise  would  bo  lerst 
iruarded  ajjainst,  and  mi}i;ht  be  most  effectual. 
The  volunteers  and  other  soldiers  of  tho 
fort  were  employed  in  secretly  cuttinfi;  roiids 
thron<ili  tho  wood,  wdiiidi  took  them  niqier- 
ceived  idos(»  to  tho  enemy,  and  taujrht  them 
the  wav  to  his  entreiKdnnents.  Leaving 
Colonel  .lessiip,  with  the  ^^jth  reeiinent,  in 
eharji'o  of  Fort  Firie,  Colomd  IJrady  beiiif]; 
posted  at  Blaidc  lloek  to  guard  that  fortifi- 
cation, soon  after  noon  of  tiie  17th  Septem- 
ber, tho  men  wore  paraded  and  got  ready  for 


flHl4. 


Chap.  VII.] 


JESSUP'S  ACCOUNT. 


tliii  attiick.  'I'lio  left  ciiliiinn  dnstincil  for 
l)niiimiiiiiirM  vi^flit  \V(!r('  jiIucimI  uihIit  ( iriic- 
nil  I  ''irlcr,  tn  iiciii'tnilc  (■iivuit(iiisly  lii'l  wocii 
fill'  lii'ilisli  liiiltci'ics  and  cimiii,  lliiis  to  siir- 
]irivc  iiiiil  (>vci]Miwt'r  (lie  (UH'-lliinl  at  work 
l);''on!  till!  other  two-thirds (iiriliify  in  i'i'>  i 
(!u.dd  come  to  their  lii'l|i.  01'  I  •drier's  I C  e 
(•ohnniis,  Colonel  (iihsoii  witli  two  imndred 
oCliis  rille  rejr;inient,  and  s<mie  Imlians,  led 
till'  advance.  liieiit.-Col.  Wood,  with  i'our 
iiundred  i.-tlantrv.  headed  1  y  Major,  now 
(ieneral  IJrooko  of  tln^  '2',U\,  whU  that  and  tin' 
lir.st  )'ei>;inient  had  tiu!  ri^ht,  suiiporti'd  hy 
fiv.  'lundred  militia  id'  the  nj^^inients  of  Co- 
lor s  Dohljin,  MelSurney  and  I'leniniin^r. 
whieii  f.irco  was  to  attaek  the  hatteries.  A 
left  coluniiKd'Hve  lnnidr(>d  militia,  eomjiris- 
iiij;  the  eommandH  of  Colontds  Hopkins, 
Churchill  and  Croshy,  led  liy  I5rl;;atlier-(!e- 
iieral  i>a\is,  of  tlu!  militia,  was  intt'nded  to 
keep  oti'su''corli'om  the  iJritisli  camp,  whih,' 
the  tw.i  iirocedin^  colnmns  stormed  anil  de- 
stroyed the  hatteries.  (ieneral  Miller,  with 
his  men,  wercf  stationed  in  aravini'  between 
tli((  American  fort  and  tlu!  IJritish  hatte- 
ries. (Ieneral  Hi|iley  was  in  command  of 
the  reserve;  lietween  the  two  bastions  of  the 
fort,  all  under  cover,  out  of  view  of  the 
cn(!my. 

There  wore  throe  lirilish  batteries  in 
cliar!i;o  at  the  monntnt  of  tin;  Kinj^'s  and 
De  Watt(!ville'sree;imeiits,thenon  dnty.  An- 
nounci'd  by  tremendous  lire  from  the  fort, 
the  rain  falliuf^  in  torrents,  so  as  to  r(<nder 
impossible  the  free  use  of  firearms.  Porter 
led  his  column  close  up  to  the  enemy's  en- 
trenchments, turned  tlnnr  rli^ht  without  be- 
\i\<X,  jierceived  ))y  tludr  j)ickets,  and  soon 
carried  by  storm  battery  Numlier  .'?,  to- 
pctluu'  with  a  .stronj;  blo(dihous(>.  'i'hence 
instantly  moving  on  battery  Number  2. 
he  th(\ro  met  a  stouter  resistance.  Colo- 
neldibson  was  killed  there;  but  after  an 
obstinate  combat,  our  pco]ile  got  yiossession 
of  it,  the  second  battery.  The'  intri^pid  Mil- 
ler, for  whom  batteries  had  no  t((rrors,  then 
by  IJrowu's  direction  seiziul  the  nuiment  to 
pierce  the  enemy's  entrenehnnuUs,  between 
the  two  eapturc^d  batteries.  Attacking  the 
third  battery,  Davis  and  Wood  fell,  butagain 
the  enemy  was  overcome,  and  abandoniMl 
his  liist  battery.  In  half  an  hour  after  the 
first  shot  the  three  batteries  and  two  block- 
house's were  taken,  tint  inaga/ine  blown  u]), 
all  the  guns  rendered  useless,  and  evei-y  oji- 
ject  o''  the  sortie  accomplished,  with  consi- 
ilerable  loss,  indeed,  but  beyond  (ieneral 
lJrown'.s  most  sanguine  e.\pe<'tationH.  (ien. 
Kipley  was  then  ordered  up  to  sn))erintend 
the  difficult  oue>a*^ion  which  (ieneral  Miller 
had  begun,  of  withdrawing  the  troops  from 
their  contpiest,  and  leading  them  back  to 
Fort  Erie ;  an  ojteratiou  which  (.ieneral 
Brown,  with  his  staff,  personally  superin- 
tended. In  tlio  performance  of  that  duty, 
lliplcy,  while  sj^eaking  witli  Colonel  Up- 
ham,  reccivoJ  a  so'  ore  wouud  iu  the  nee.k, 


from  which  he  never  recovered,  though  he 
survived  many  ye;irs,  and  served  at  one 
tinu!  in  Congress  from  Louisiana. 

As  soon  as  (ien.  I'mmmond  heard  the  fir- 
ing, leaving(ieii.  Stovin  in  charge  of  tin;  re- 
serve, hi;  hastened  to  the  scene  id'  action, 
where  ii(>  found  (ien.  |te  Watteville  over- 
powered, batteries  No.  2  and  Xo.  I!  in  pos- 
session of  the  iVmerican  assailants,  and 
their  assault  begun  on  liattery  Number  1. 
both  blockhouses  and  the  maga/.ine  de- 
stroyed, and  the  IJritish  troojis  retreating. 
The  (Miincident  exertions  of  jtoth  command- 
ers, Hrown  to  withdraw  his  uumi  frmn,  and 

Drnnuuond  with  his  t.i  re ver,  the  I5i'iti>h 

entremdnnents,  soon  eil'ecteil  it.  'J  he  Ame- 
ricans retired  with  .jSo  jirisonrrs,  nuiny  (.f 
them  officers,  and  a  total  IJritish  loss  of 
killed,  wounded,  taken  and  missing  whiidi 
IJrown  reckoueil  at  a  thousand  men,  near  a 
fourth  of  their  whole  number.  'I'he  wea- 
tlier,  the  \vooils,  and  the  unavoidable  mix- 
ture of  men  in  suidi  a  combat,  together  with 
its  inherent  casualties,  cost  (ieneral  IJi'own 
five  hundred  and  eleven  killed,  wounded, 
missing  and  captured,  of  whom  about  two 
hundred  were  made  pri;. oners  in  the  obscu- 
rity of  th(!  fin-est,  and  uiiK*akes  of  hostile 
parties.  The  rain  tirevented  free  use  of 
those  arms  ii  which  oitr  ]ieo)ile  exc(d,  (lu! 
ritl(!  ami  the  nuisket.  Most  id"  the  battle 
was  fought  hand  to  hand,  with  tht!  bay- 
onet and  sabre.  (Jeiu'ral  Porter,  who  was 
wouiuled  by  a  sword  thrust  iu  tlse  hand,  was 
at  one  tinu;  surrounded  and  summoned  to 
surrender,  but  escajied  by  presence  of  miiul 
and  invincible  (courage. 

Thus,  said  (ieneral  IJrown,  with  just 
exultation,  one  thousand  reg\ilars  and  an 
e(|ual  portion  of  militia  in  one  Ivour  of  close 
action,  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  enemy,  dc- 
stro^'d  the  fruits  of  fifty  days'  labor,  and 
diminished  his  eU'ective  force  one  thousand 
men  at  least. 

General  .7cssu])'s  sliort  account  and  opi- 
nion of  the  sortie  from  Eort  Erie  are  as 
foilow.s: 

"(ieneral  Brown  believed  that  he  must 
rely  entirely  u]>on  his  own  resources;  for 
though  aid  was  ])romised  him  from  another 
(juarter,  the  daily  casualties  at  Port  Erie 
were  such,  that  it  would  not,  he  thought, 
reach  him  in  time  to  save  his  division. 
Having  obtained  a  jierfect  knowledge  of  the 
enemy's  force  and  dispositions,  he  deter- 
mined to  attack  him  in  the  trenches  us  soon 
iis  a  body  of  militia  and  volunteers,  then 
arriving  in  IJulfalo,  could  be  passed  over. 
iMajor  Jessup  having  three  wounds  open 
and  his  right  arm  in  a  sling,  and  being,  in 
consequence,  unalde  to  perform  active  duty, 
volunteered  to  join  the  army  at  Fort  Erie, 
(•u  Ills  arrival  he  foumi  that  a  council 
had  been  assemlded,  and  had  just  broken 
up;  and  (ieneral  Brown  was  evitlently  niucli 
disajipointcd  at  the  result.  In  the  course 
of  the  evening  he  expressed  liiiuaelf  with 


■  .■•- 1 


;,;,;ir 
i': 


^  'I 

1 1  I 
•'I 


li^ 


152 


COMPARISONS. 


[1814. 


Ciiu 


pront  ■\vnrmth  in  ropjard  to  tho  onntliK-t  of!  tacked  or  nssnilnnts,  in  fort  or  ]>y  sortio. 


■  ♦ . 
"  -/ 

u 


I 


Honio  of  tlio  officers  |ir('.sci\t  lit  tlio  eoiincil ; 
l)Ut  ho  iiililcd,  in  Iiih  |ic('uliarly  <Mn|)ii:itic 
manniM",  '  Wc  numtliccp  our  own  counsels — 
the  impression  nmsl  lie  nmde  that  wo  lire 
done  with  tlie  iiftUir;  liiit  an  mire  as  tlirre  is 
a  (iod  ill  heaven,  the  eiieiiij/  shall  he  athteked 
in  his  iriie/cs,  anil  heateii  Inn,  so  Hooii  as  all 
the  i-fi/inifeers  shall  hare  jKtssed  nrer.' 

"On  the  inth  and  14th  fhevo  was  heavy 
oannonadinjx,  as  well  as  affairs  of  pickets; 
on  the  loth,  Ittth,  and  the  niornin;i  of  the 
17th  there  was  a  j);ood  deal  of  oannonadinn; 
at  intervals,  and  from  al)ont  ton  o'clock  till 
twelve  on  tlio  17th  it  was  incessant.  When 
Blajor  Jessnp  Joined  on  the  Dth,  ho  was 

1)laeed  by  (.ioneral  IJrown  in  command  of 
<'ort  Krio;  on  the  morniiij;;  of  tlie  17th,  the 
general  sent  for  him  and  informed  him  that 
ho  would  attack  the  enemy  at  onco,  and 
that  ho  should  leav(!  him  with  the  2")tli, 
about  ono  hundred  and  fitty  stron<i;,  (vnd 
the  artillery  and  invalids,  to  protect  the 
fort  and  cam]i,  and  cover  the  retreat  of  the 
army  should  it  bo  repulsed.  The  fteneral 
moved  out  with  the  troo]is  about  two  o'clock 
P.  IM.,  attacked  and  carried  tho  enemy's 
batteries  and  block-houses — captured  or 
dostroved  one-third  of  his  whole  force:  and 
loft  him  without  a  sinj^lo  heavy  f^nn  or 
howitzer.  Wo  had  forty-fivo  officers  and 
several  hundred  men  killed  and  wounded. 

"  'I'ho  sortie  from  Fort  Erie  was  by  far  tho 
most  splendid  achiovomont  of  tho  oampaifjn, 
whether  wo  oonsidor  tho  boldness  of  the 
concej)ti(m,  tho  oxcollenco  of  the  plan,  or 
tho  ability  with  which  it  was  "xocntcd.  Xo 
event,  on  tho  same  scale,  in  the  whole  ranfrio 
of  military  history,  has  over  surpassed  it. 
To  General  Brown  the  whole  credit  is  duo: 
he  advised  with,  and  had  the  enthusiastic 
Hupport  (tf,  Porter  and  several  of  tho  younf;;or 
liehl  officers;  but  was  ojiposod  in  his  views 
by  his  second  in  commuiul  and  :''l  whom  ho 
could  influonco."  J. 

Tho  influence  of  such  a  victory  was  even 
more  p(ditical  than  military.  The  patriotic 
citizens  who  followed  Gonoral  Porter  into 
Canada  more  effei'tually  discredited  mi- 
litia f(!ars,  and  relmkod  militia  constitu- 
tional scruples  than  human  reason  could 
by  arf^ument,  or  robuko  by  disirraco.  (jien. 
I)ruminond  at  once  al)anilonod  his  entronch- 
monts,  offi(;ially  payin;;  Brown  tho  homage 
of  ascribing  his  success  to  five  thousand 
combatants,  when  there  wero  but  two,  to 
torrents  of  rain,  droailful  weather  and  roads, 
by  which  ho  fcdt  constrained  immediately 
to  witlulraw  to  Chippewa,  ami  oven  that  he 
was  not  able  to  do  till  tho  2lst  Septomber, 
throe  days  after  that  romarkablo  diyconifi- 
turo  of  British  fortitude  by  ^Vmerican  alac- 
rity; tried  as  their  national  properties  had 
boon,  by  four  contests,  in  every  kind  of  com- 
bat, .always  ]\y  superior  numl)ers  of  British 
to  inferior  American  numljors,  uul^ormh- 
attested  by  Amcricau  triumph,  whoilier  at- 


Ijieutenant-ColoiHd  Aspinwall,  who  lost 
an  arm  in  that  sortie,  and  has  almost  I'ver 
since  been  the  American  consul  at  Lon- 
don; Major  Trimble,  of  the  I'.Uh  re^^inien':, 
who  was  shot  throu;i;h  the  body,  aftei- 
wards  senator  from  (Miio  in  tho  ('onp;ress 
of  the  I'nited  States;  Major  Brooke,  of  tho 
'illd  rejtiment,  Lieuten'.iiii-i-'olonel  M<;|)on- 
ald,  on  whom  the  command  of  tlie  rifle  corjts 
(lev(dved  on  Coloncd  ( iibson's  death ;  C(d(uiol 
lljdiam,  who  look  (Jeneral  l{ipl(>y's  placo 
when  wounded;  (.'(donel  SnelliuK,  ('olonel 
(lardner,  now  Postmaster  at 'VVashinj^ton  ; 
Major  .lones,  now  Adiutant-tienoral ;  Ma- 
jor Hall,  together  with  several  oth<>r  of 
tho  rep;ular  forces,  and  many  of  tlu!  mi- 
litia, distinguished  themselves  on  that  occa- 
sion. 

Drummond  hastily  retreated  over  French- 
man's Cre(;k  and  the;  (Chippewa,  destroying 
the  bridges  over  both  those  streams  to  pro- 
tect his  flight,  besides  covering  his  reduced 
and  dispirite(l  forces  with  field  works  beyond 
tho  latter  stream,  but  (daiminga  victory  by 
his  despatch.  .^.  Tho  affair  of  Fort  Krie  may 
be  comparci  ;  .ihsomo  of  Wellington's  most 
celebrated  achievements.  In  a  ponderous 
work  of  Lord  Castl(>roagh's  brother  and  titu- 
lar succossfu',  tho  Martpiis  of  Londonderry, 
(ui  tho  peninsular  campaigns  of  tho  Duke  of 
AV(dlington,  whoro  that  noble  author,  then 
called  Sir  Charles  Stewart,  served  as  a  gal- 
lant soldier,  there  is  a  grandiloquent  de- 
scription of  tho  siego  and  storming  of 
Ciudad  Rodrigo.  Amid  rhetorical  flights 
of  fancy,  tho  author  says,  "tho  troops 
poured  forward  with  tho  coolness  ami  im- 
p(;tuosity  of  which  lirifish  soldiers  alone  are 
capable,  and  which  nothiiif/  could  success- 
fully oppose."  But  Wellington's  official 
account  of  that  four  days'  siego  and  final 
storming,  establishes  tho  fact,  that  tho  Bri- 
tish loss  at  Fort  Erie  was  ono  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  more,  than  when  some  of  tho 
same  British  troops,  transported  from 
France,  assaulted  (ion.  Gaines  in  that  fort. 
In  tho  cinirso  of  a  few  hours'  conflict,  officer 
to  officer,  and  man  to  man,  tho  British  losa 
was  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  more  in  Ca- 
nada than  in  tho  four  days  contest  in  Spain. 
Ami  what  enhances  thisctmiparison  is,  that 
Fort  fjrio  surrendered  without  resistance 
by  its  British  garrison  the  3d  July,  Avas 
jiut  in  a  )iosturo  for  su(di  defence  by  the 
middle  of  September.  Tlio  comparison  is 
much  stronger  with  Brown's  sortiis  than 
with  Gaines's  defence.  At  tho  sortie  tho 
destruction  was,  comparatively,  much  great- 
er. On  anotlun-  c<tntinont,  the  theatre  of 
Wcdlington's  first  renown,  twice  as  many 
Knglishwere  destroyed  at  their  attack  on 
Fort  Erie  as  at  his  celebrated  assault  of  So- 
ringapatam,  including  Sepoys  and  English, 
anil  still  more  at  tho  sortie  from  Fort  Erie. 

To  derogate  from  American  victories,  it 
has  been  said  that  they  wore  merely  stub- 


[1814. 


CirAP.  VII.] 


IZARD  JOINS  BROAVX. 


153 


Imrn  (li'fcnco  of  positi(ins  fnnd  what  wtxx 
AVi'irMi;,'tuirH  nt  Wiitcrlon)?  Hut  at  ('lii])- 
]iiaa  and  nriil;;owat('r,  tliiMlariiif;  and  irri'- 
h;istitil<M'liari;('s  (if  Scott  were  )irin('i|ial  fi'a- 
tari's,  and  llindnian's  ai'till(^i\v  wore  al- 
ways siiiM'vidi' to  tlu>  IJritisli.  At  ('lii|))i(Mva, 
at  lirid;^»'wator,  cortainly  at  tlio  sortii-  from 
Fort  Mfio,  the  IJritish  may  ho  said  to  have 
hccn  in  position,  and  tiicir  workn  ho- 
fiirc  it  woro  cai'riod  at  niid-day  witii  <;r(>at 
slau;ilit('r,  at  tiio  point  of  tho  hayonct. 
Although  JackHon'i  battles  an;  rcscrvoil 
for  (ii'scription  in  another  volnine.  they 
may  hi'  involtiid  t(  cli!inen<;e  thi>  military 
annals  of  any  eountry  for  a  more  hrilliiint 
(ir  masterly  exi)loit  than  his  ni;.'ht  attsudi  of 
the  British  in  position,  leaving  live  humlred 
of  tlieir  hest  offieers  and  men  on  the  Held. 
Ill  I'licfi  of  th(!  five  liattles  "f  Chippewa, 
15ridj;i'\vat(M',  the  storming;  e  ;  irt  Erie,  the 
surtii'  from  it,  and  tho  attack  of  the  enemy 
onthc2.')d  Decemher,  IS14,  the  En;ilish  loss 
was  heavier  than  at  Serinjiapatani.  Rritish 
and  Sejioys  inc1nde(l,  or  Tiudad  Rodri^o, 
IJritish  and  l*ortii;j;nese  imdudcMl.  No  nie- 
laoriid  at  St.  I'aul's  Cathedral,  London, 
mentions  Chippewa,  T5rid;:;e\viiter,  or  Fort 
Eric.  Rut  four  splendid  monumiMits,  erect- 
ed there  by  order  of  I'arlianuuit,  in  honor 
of  four  distin;i;nishpd  liritish  j^enerals,  kill- 
ed in  America,  within  little  more  than 
two  years  of  the  'var  of  1S12,  are  inemora- 
hlc  ronowals  of  tho  history  of  the  fii-st  Rri- 
tish  attempt  to  coiupior  tho  United  States. 
In  the  dehato  in  tho  llouso  of  Commons  in 
N<iveinhor,  1814,  on  the  address  to  tho 
]iriiice  rof^ent,  Sir  (lilliort  lleatheoto  said, 
"It  appeared  to  liim  tliatwo  feared  tho  ris- 
inj5  jiower  of  America,  and  wislied  to  crush 
it.  Wo  had  tried  thirty  years  a<:;o,  and  had 
failed  when  she  was  nothinj;  like  as  pow- 
erful as  at  present.  In  the  contest  of  tho 
last  American  war,  it  was  lioastcd  iioro  that 
a  battalion  of  British  troops  would  march 
across  tho  continent.  Tho  flower  of  our 
army  was  sont,  and  commanded  by  officers 
who  had  sorvi'd  in  tho  (Jorinan  war  under 
Ferdinand.  Tho  result  was  wol!  known. 
Those  troops,  as  bravo  as  any  in  tho  w-orld, 
were  comjiclled,  on  two  different  occasions, 
to  lay  down  their  arms  to  tho  now  raised 
levies  in  America." 

Athenian  i-enown,  Sallust  remarks,  is 
duo  rather  to  excellent  writers  than  {i^roat 
deeds ;  wdioroas  Rome  did  not  abound 
with  writers  to  describe  tho  actions  of  her 
heroes.  Attractive  written  illustratioi  s  of 
modern  British  acliiovements  overshadow 
even  in  America  those  of  American  soldiers, 
whose  admirable  expkdts  in  the  campaijrns 
of  LS14  have  had  no  competent  narrator 
of  ovonts  of  wdiich  the  trutli  should  be 
our  national  pride,  property  and  security. 
But,  as  Sallust  adds  to  that  remark,  tho 
early  Romans  wore  men  of  Inisiness,  who 
preferred  doinj;  to  telling  of  it,  and  left 
to  utliors  tho  task  of  description,  so  it  is 


with  this  country,  Suih  works  as  (.uril 
Eondonderry's,  i>v  other  British  chroni- 
iders,  enj^ross  American  attention,  and 
any  attempt  to  do  justice,  by  statements 
cd'  facts,  and  by  fair  comparisons,  have 
trejudices  to  eni;ounti'r,  not  only  in  Eurofie, 
)Ut  .\merica,  more  unconijueralile  than  the 
army  and  navy  (d'(!reat  Itritaiu. 

Oi'  thel27th(d'Septendper,  (ieneral  IJrown, 
afte  seeking;  (ieneral  I/.ard  in  vain  by  li 
inesseni/;er  dispatidied  to  Ei^rhteen-inilo 
Creek  and  (ienesee  river,  met  him  by  ap- 
pointment at  Batavia,  to  concert  measures 
tor  further  ojierations.  l>rummoud's  foi'co 
was  reiluced  to  three  thousaiul  disheartoneil 
men,  and  there  was  little  difficulty  to  cap- 
ture it.  Hy  this  time  Armstron^r  had  been 
ex)»dle(l  from  tho  war  de|iartmeiit,  whiidj 
was  undertaken  by  M(uiro(>,  w  ho.  on  tho 
'27th  of  S<'pteniber,  directed  l/,ard  to  tako 
command  of  his  and  Brown's  united  forces, 
for  wdiom  reinforcements  of  militia  wero 
called  for;  and  l/.ard  was  stimulated  to  ac- 
tion by  assurances  of  full  confidence  that 
ho  would  justify  tln^  hijth  opinion  the  '.i;o- 
vernnii-nt  cherishcil  (d'  his  ;;allantry  iiuil 
confidence  in  his  success.  On  the  1st  id' 
Oetidjor,  l/.ard  moved  from  Butavia,  throurli 
tho  wilderness  and  swamp  wliich  led  to- 
ward liowistown,  whore  he  arrived  on  tho 
")th  ;  (b^nerals  Brown  and  Porter,  oxtremo- 
ly  desirous  of  liis  co-ojieration  over  tho 
\ia<!;ara,  waited  on  him  at  Lewistown 
thfit  eveninj;;.  That  censorious,  often  de- 
famatory, but  not  always  unjust  sontinol  of 
])ublic  servants,  whether  in  the  field  or  tho 
cabinet,  the  press,  had  begun  to  assail  Ge- 
neral I'/ard  for  tho  procrastination  of  his 
marcli  from  Phittsburg,  tho  insufficiency  of 
force  lie  loft  for  its  defenco,  an<l  his  indis- 
position either  to  succor  Brown  or  to  co- 
operate with  him  at  all.  Chafed  by  theso 
censures,  Izard's  temper  was  inflamed, 
and,  perhaps,  disturbed  by  the  loudly  ap- 
plauded successes  of  Macomb  a:  1  Brown, 
in  which  ho  had  no  share.  After  an 
abortive  efi'ort  to  cross  on  the  8th  of  Oc- 
tober from  Cayuga  crook,  and  land  in  tho 
face  of  tho  oiiomy's  batteries  at  Chippe- 
wa, which  was  deemed  impracticable  for 
want  of  the  requisite  transportation,  march- 
ing thence  to  Black  Rock,  Izard  took  his  divi- 
sion into  Canada  on  tho  10th  and  1 1th  of  Octo- 
ber, whore  they  landed  near  Fort  Erie.  Tho 
17th  regiment  of  infantry,  just  arrived  from 
tho  west,  Porter's  volunteers,  and  Brown's 
division  united  with  Izard's,  amounting  al- 
together ^o  six  thousand  excellent  troops, 
were  auperii)r  to  any  ten  thousand  Bri- 
tish that  could  be  brought  against  them. 
A  commander  who  had  been  eighteen  years 
in  service,  risen  from  a  lieutenancy  to  be 
major-general,  but  had  never  established  his 
promising  reputation  by  any  signal  action, 
led  them  forth  on  tho  13th  October,  as  the 
whole  army  ardently  desired,  and  the  coun- 
try confidently  expected,  to  close  tho  gloti- 


t'.   ■' ;  I 

I  It: 


ir)4 


CANADA  AHANDOXKD. 


[1S14. 


la 


i^. 


if>  i  '■■' 


ouH  ('.•wnpuijrn  on  tlio  \iuj;iini  )iy  Homo 
iixpliiit  wiirlliy  (if  it^  CKiistiiiit  ciiri'iT. 
On  till'  IJtIi  iii  OitiiliiT  tlic  urmv  was  en- 
ciuiijiimI  lii't'iirc  tlu*  Ili'itiMli  (riitn'iii'liiiK'iitK 
at  ('lii|i|H'\vii,  till'  MTV  s|i"t  1)1'  Aiin'riiMii 
(Ustiiictiiiii,  tnitliusiiiNiii  iukI  huccc.xh.  At 
Wiisliiii^tDri.  ami  I'vcrywlici-i',  tlii^  Ik'HcC 
was  miivi'fsai  llint  l/iml  wmilil  caiituic 
Jh'mntiiiiiiil,  III"  wliii'li  ('(nisiiii'i'ali'  ainl  cii- 
lij;Iiti'iii"l  oliiicrs  ill  iziird's  army  I'l'lt  siirt'. 
On  till'  l")tliOftiili(>v,  Towsnii's  aii'l  Arclicr'K 
liatli-rics  wiTi'  ailvaiict'd  tliriiii<;li  tlic  ojicn 
plain,  in  i'nll  view  nt'  the  (Mimiy's  iiiiu'li 
liouvit'r  l)atti'ri('.-i,  caniiniiadi'il  tlii-in,  am!  si- 
1(MU'(mI  ono,  ilciuonstriitiii;;.  aftlicncrai  l/.anl 
tlt'clanvl,  til  till'  must  iiirxiicrii'iiccd  I'^c  tlic 
vast  KU|u'ri((rity  ormir  artilli'rists. 

On  tilt!  I'.Hh'Octi.lMT,  (Inicral  Izard  had 
jiriMiftit'  till'  sii|M'riiii-ity  of  liis  infantry,  as 
well  as  artilli'i'v,  over  tlic  dislicartcncd  ene- 
my 111'  nnfiivtnniiti'iy  failed,  hy  any  ;;encnil 
and  di'i'ideil  cn;iap'nicnt,  to  (ivercunic.  On 
tlie  ['<\h,  iiliii!  liniidred  n\cn  of  his  second 
hvi^^ad  (^(iiiiinandcd  hydit^neral  IJissell,  the 
r)th  inlantrv  under  (Vdonel  i'inkney,  a  hat- 
taliiin  of  the  Htli  under  ."Major  ISarnard. 
^Yllltsc  imxh'st  iiitri;|)iility  and  ^ood  conduct 
elevated  him  afterwards  to  the  Senate  of 
the  I'liitcd  States  from  IN'nnsylvania,  the 
loth  under  Major  (irinda^e,  the  Itlth  under 
Cohinel  I'earee,  with  rillo  coiii]ianit!s  coiu- 
inandcd  hv  ("aiitains  Irvine  and  |)orman, 
and  a  small  hody  of  dragoons,  wore  sent  to 
Codk'H  mill,  twelve  miles  north  (d'  Cliip- 
])Owa,  tocaptiiiM!  some  llourtlierc.  Next  day 
the  Mar((uis  of  Tweedah\  with  a  select  corjis 
of  twelve  hundred  men  from  the  IJritish  cn- 
trencliinents,  attacked  IJisacll,  who  defeated 
and  ]iut  them  to  prcidpitate  fli;;ht,  in  ;;rcat 
c^)nfusion,  driven  to  their  fastnesses,  after 
losiu}!  several  killed,  wounded,  and  prison- 
ci's.  llaniel  IJissell,  one  of  the  prt'cious  finv 
American  soldiers  raised  from  the  ranks  to 
a  {general's  station,  was  on  that  occasion 
till!  antajiouist  of  the  iiolde  nianiuis,  who 
r<!proscnted  the  army  of  (Jreat  Britain. 
Another  remarkalilo  person  distiiiji;uished 
amonji  the  American  officers  there  was  JJri- 
gade-Major  I'rcstman,  who,  after  the  war, 
t\)ok  holy  orders;  and,  in  an  E|uscopal 
church  at  Newcastle,  Delaware,  that  worthy 
gentleman  humbly  and  i-ospectaldy  officiat- 
ed as  pastor  of  a  small  congregation. 

It  is  diffiiMilt,  if  possible,  to  justify  den. 
Izard's  prudery,  or  affectation  of  prudence, 
a  virtue,  like  all  others,  injurious  by  excess. 
Taking  twenty  days  to  get  from  Plattsburg 
aHoat  on  Lake  Ontaritt,  when  it  might  have 
been  done  in  ton;  then  cau.'iing  his  armj'  to 
be  landed,  not  in  Canada,  anywhere  Izard 
chose,  as  Commodore  Chauncey  offered  his 
fleet  to  land  them,  but  chousing  the  north 
of  Genesee  river  in  New  York,  whore  they 
must  unavoidably  bo  detained  for  trans- 
portation ;  not  reaching  the  Canadian  shoie, 
at  last,  till  the  11th  October,  si.x  weeks  after 
he  left  riattsburg;  and  then,  instead  of 


planting  his  standard  cast  of  Drumniond, 
taking  station  we.-it,  and  when  iiiiili  d  with 
Iti'own,  disappointing  the  nnaiiiiiions  il.hI 
constant  wish  for  in  immi'diatc  attack  of 
an  eiii'iity,  who,  tlimij-h  entrcnclii'd,  wi's 
not  more  than  half  l/.ai'd's  niimlier,  and 
much  dispirited  —  all  this  dclav  and  ex- 
treme di-rrctioii  were,  if  not  iniMdicioii'', 
at  Ica-'t  uiitnward  and  insiitl'ei'aMe.  In 
vain  Izard  pleaded  tint  he  had  ri'peatedly 
otfered  Dnimmond  lialtle,  and  the  ap- 
proach <d'  winter,  severity  of  weather,  dis- 
eases (d'  cani|i,  exposure,  useless  ctl'usion 
of  Idood,  and  the  wisdom  of  )ireserviiig  the 

ti ps    for    another    yi-ar's   campaign.      If 

(ii'iieral  Izard  had  by  inaiiy  battles  estab- 
lished his  character,  smdi  conduct  would 
have  lieen  less  olijcctioiiable.  Hut  as  an 
ollicer  niitrii'd,  known  only  by  a  few,  he 
was  uiialde  to  make  head  against  the  iiiill- 
tary  and  popular  current,  then  irresistibly 
strong  for  action. 

On  the  121st  October,  fieneral  Izard  broke 
up  his  encani))iiii'iit  near  Chippewa,  and 
marched  to  I'dack  l!ock  to  jirejiare  winter 
ipiarters.  Next  day  tln^  Secretary  of  War 
wrote  to  him  that  it  would  lie  a  happy 
I'vent.  if  iiracticablc,  to  demolish  the  aiiny 
licfore  him.  The  good  cH'cct  of  it  would  bo 
f(dt  throughout  t\w  wlmh-'  northern  and 
western  frontier,  along  the  coast,  and  in 
ICurope.  Dut  Izard  was  r(!solv<'il  mi  retreat 
and  winter  fpiarters.  On  the  fir.-t  of  No- 
vember, the  last,  IVissell's  gallant  lirigade, 
was  withdrawn  from  Canada.  On  the  lil'tli, 
Major  Ilindman  evacuated,  by  (ien.  Izard's 
orders,  Kort  Krie,  which  .Major  Totten  blew 
u|i,  and  theiu'cforth  in)t  a  vestige  of  Ameri- 
can soldiery,  excejit  ruins,  remaiiK-d  in  Ca- 
nada. Although  the  President  a|iprovcd  of 
what  tieneral  Izard  had  done,  vet,  shortly 
after,  ho  tendered  his  resignation  v.hiidi, 
however,  was  not  accepti.'d,  and  suggested 
the  appointment  of  (ien.  Hrown  to  command 
the  campaign  of  next  year;  "Certainly," 
said  (icneral  Izard,  "a  brave,  intelligent, 
and  active  officer;  and  when  a  imrtiou  of 
the  forct!S  is  composed  of  irregular  troo|)S, 
bettor  <iualitied  than  I  to  make  them  us<'ful 
in  the  juiblic  service." 

Indisjiosition  or  inability  to  commaml 
irregular  troo]is,  raw  levies,  and  the  kind 
of  army,  which,  not  peculiar  to,  must  always 
bo  most  prevalent  in,  this  country,  is  a  fatal 
infirmity  here — a  disadvantage  everywhere. 
General  Izard's  invincible  repugnance  to 
them  lost  him  public  contidence.  Still 
kindly  sustaimMl  by  Moni-oe,  who  a]i)iointod 
him  governor  of  tlic  territory  of  Arkansas, 
Izard  closed,  in  the  comparative  solitude 
of  Little  Hock,  among  the  sands  of  that 
frontier,  a  career  begun  Avith  the  advantages 
of  Kuropean  education,  and  the  onjoynu'iits 
of  fashionaljlo  society,  improved  by  e.\t(Mi- 
sive  reading,  observation,  and  intellig(au.'e. 
If  ho  had  capturetl  Drummond,  ns  with  his 
army  Brown  would  have  done,  in  all  pro- 


I'lliillllulnl, 

lliti  i|  will) 
I I:'    i:,|i| 

;ill.ick  i.r 

i'Im'iI,     Wi'S 

iiiliiT,  mill 
V  anil  cx- 
limlicldii'^, 
I'alilc.  Ill 
rc|)fiit('tlly 

till!     Il|l- 
lltlll'l',  llih- 

MS  I'triisliiu 
irrvill;;  till' 
Kli;;il.       U" 

tll'S  I'Stllll- 
IH't  M'Olllll 
llllt  US  Jlll 
II  I'i'W,  lio 
t  till'  iiiiii- 
iiTc.tistilily 

l/iU'il  hroko 
iju'wii,  mill 
iiin>  wintiT 
u\v  lit'  War 
II  liajipy 
li  tlic  iiniiy 

it  Wlllllll  1)1! 

tliorn  mill 
1st,  mill  in 
1  nil  ri'tri'iit 
ii-.vt  of  \o- 
iiit  lirijfiuli', 
)U  till'  ill'tli, 
ii'ii.  Iziinl'H 

rotti'ii  iiicw 

;i!  (if  Aiiii'ri- 
liiK.'il  ill  Ca- 

tl]l|ll'IIVl'll   (if 

yi't,  sliiirtly 
tion   v.liii'li, 

1    Slljrj;i'St(Hl 

tociiiiiiiimiil 
rortaiiily." 
intt'Uifi;<'nt, 
I  ]iurti.in  of 
iilar  tr(iu)is, 
thiJin  useful 

I  pninniaiiil 
111  tlio  kiml 
nust  always 
i-y.  is  II  fatal 
'vciywIiLTC. 
iifi;nan('«  to 
'iK'c.  Still 
o  ajiiiointnil 
r  Arkajisas, 
ivo  Kiditiiilo 
ihIh  of  tliat 
ailvantaiios 
oiijoynicnts 
il  by  cxtou- 
iiitclli^oni'e. 
ns  with  his 
in  all  pro- 


lakf:  flkkts. 


CiiAf.  vir.l 

■   * 

liiiliility  Izanl  nii;.'lit  liiivo  cIilspiI  Iiim  curfiT 
\villi  II  ri'|iiilaliiin  fur  wliii'li,  no  ilmilit,  lie 
was  iiii.xiniis  tn  lay  ilnwn  'iIh  iifi'. 

'I'lic  AJIpiMiv  Ar;riis,  till' |iiiiii'i|ial  ri'|iiil.li- 
ciiii  I  III  I 'IT  1)1'  \'('W  York,  ill  tiiiii-i  ol'  rciiMuri', 
lint  till  liss  Hi'M'i'i'  I'm'  tlii'ir  I'liiKraraiii'i!, 
ili'iiiiiiiiii'il  " till' tiirily  mill  iinli'cisivi!  iiii'ii- 
Muri'14  of  (ii'iii'i'iil  l/m'i|,  iiii'l  liis  smlili'ii 
r('tro;;railt'  niovi'nu'iit  iil'ii'i'  lie  hail  fnrnil  a 
|iiiKsa)ii'  ovc.  '.lio  (.'lii|i|ii'\vii,  liijihly  iliNHp- 
iiiiiiitiiri  piililii'  <'X|ii'rtatiiiii,  aiii|  i'nr  which 
111'  is  aiiii'iiahli'  to  ;^ii\ri'iiiiii'iit." 

For  till'  third  tiiiii>,  at  that  rritiral  iiid- 
iiii'iit,  Cliaiiiii'i'y's  Hi|iiaili'<in  iillni'ili'il  an 
cxi'iisc,  if  iiiit  rmisi',  luf  fnistraliii;;'  imlilic 
('Xjicftati'iii,  Yi'ii  having  jxot  a  MijH'rinr  i 
fiirci'  iilloal,  Chiuiiiri'y  timk  rnjii^io  in  Siu'k- 
I'tt's  ilarhoi'.wi'akly  furlirn'ilaii(l;iarriKiiiii'i|. 
us  (ii'iii'i'iil  jy.anl  iir^ri'il  with  uiilirciiiniii;; 
(lisilain,  liy  rniwils  of  ili.siPi'iraiii/cil  niiil  iiii- 
uniii'il  militia,  of  iimri'  ilisail\aiit:i<:r  than  | 
Hi'i'vici'.  "'I'hcsi'  jHiijilr,"  haiil  111',  "iiiay  ho 
viihii'il  hy  (Ji'iioral  IJniwn,  to  whoiii  tlioy 
iiri'  |»'i'siinally  known,  and  aiiniii;;  wIkuii  In- 
is  ]i(i|ailar."  iJiit  Vi'o'h  I'liiniiuiiid  nf  tlio  i 
wati'i's  drfi'iitcil,  in  (Jciii'ral  l/.ard's  a|i|iri'- 
lii'ii.sion,  all  ojn'ration  hy  land  in  that  i|Uiir- 
tci*.  l''oi'  Ih'iiiiiiiioiid  could  fall  hack  on 
]{ui'liii;fton  lli'ijriits,  and  every  step  in! 
l/.anl's  pursuit  of  him  would  cut  l/.ard  off 
hy  the  lai'L'e  reinfin'ceiiieiits  the  eiieiiiy  could 
ill  twenly-four  hours  throw  upon  his  Hank 
iiud  rear. 

Altlioii;;li    roiuiuoilore    ("liaiineey's    ah-' 
Hcnci'   from    the    lake,    aitd    remaiiiin^^   at  | 
Saekett's  iiarhor,  were  niori!  than  once  ex- 
tremely iiii)|ipiirtuiie  and  ])reiiidicial  to  the 
military  o)ieratioiis  on  its  hnrders,  and   his  ' 
l:in;:;iia;;e   to  explain   it  to  (ieiieral   I'»ro\vn  | 
was  mill  h  and  deservedly  censured,  there 
were  reasons  for  his  eoiitinement  which  lie  \ 
iiii;;ht  have  iir^ed  with  much  niore  prnpriety  , 
than   his   captious   plea  of  naval   di^i'iiity.  , 
Diirini;  the  whole  month  of  July,  1SI4,  ho  i 
was  ill  and  iinahle  to  i^o  ahroad  :  so  much 
so  that  Decatur  was  desinniited  to  take  his  j 
place.     Many  of  the  mechanics  shiphuild- , 
iii;;thi're  were alsodisahh^dhy  illness.  When 
at  last  Chauneey  sailed  on  the  first  of  An-  ] 
fliist,  it  was  necessary  to  carry  him  on  hoard 
his  shi]i,  wliero  the  hotter  air  of  the  hi;j;h  I 
lake  and  the  hope  of  action,  and  excitement ! 
of  discipline,  restored  his  health  ;  and  while  { 
ascendant,  the  activity  of  his  squadron  was  i 
all  thatcould  he  reipiired.     AVithit  Chaun-i 
cey  notonly  lilockadeil  Yeo  for  six  weeks  in  ! 
Kiii;iSton,  hut  hy  reduciiiji;  the  niimher  and  j 
urniamentofhisvess(ds,  and  even  thiMuimher  | 
(d'ni(!n,  to  a  precise  oijualitv  with  the  Uritisli 
vessels  in  that  port  ready  lor  action,  hy  sail- 
inj;  close  into  tiu'  port,  with  colors  flyinj;;,  as 
i-scustomary  on^foini!;  tohattle,  and  hy  every 
other cliallen.tct;  thatcould  with  propriety  lie 
offered  to  his  wary  antaiconist,  Cluuincey  in- 
vited Yco  to  hattle,  w  liich  lie  .steadily  de- 
clined; perhaps  hy  order  of  his  superiors, 
for  it  waa  saicl  that  ho  was  mortified  at  be- 


ir)5 


int;  oliIi;feil  to  deelino  tuittle  with  an  eipial 
force,  w  liich  his  captains  deiiouncnl  us  a 
disi'riici'l'iil  and  iliiii;;einus  iinvcliy  in  tim 
;;loi'ious  na\alanniil>  of  (inat  I'triiain,  ever 
since  their  ^reat  enmirionw  ralth,  M'lkinn 
Miilrh,  Kreiicli.  Spanish,  Swedish,  llaii- 
isli,  and  all  other  ad\ersiii  ^,  under  itU 
most  any  disai! vantage,  and  III  Unit  time,  w  itii 
inferior  lli-iti^h  force,  Idockadin;;  iminy 
l'"rencli  and  Dutch  vessels  of  war  in  Hcvei.il 
ports  of  Miirniie.  ('lianncey's  lleet  wasdiH- 
ciplined  hy  liiiii  on  Lake  Oniario  to  a  per- 
fection (d'  manieiivre  and  >;nnnery  nevi'r 
surpassed,  scldmn  e(|iiallei|,  hy  any  ships  at 
sen.  The  stormy  and  perilmis  lake  na\i;iii- 
lion  tried  their  seamanship  hy  the  si'Verest 
lessons  of  iia\i<;ation.  I're|i'ii'(>d  and  anx- 
ious tocniiteud  on  ei(iial  or  iiiferiorternis  for 
mastery  with  the  British,  during;  many  weeks 
the  .\iiii'ricaii  ciiinmodori;  soii;rht  every  op- 
|iortiinity  of  trial.  If  with  such  coiira;;e, 
eondint.  crews  and  discipline  he  could  have 
coiilrniled  till'  lake  early  in  duly,  as  was  ex- 
pected, or  ill  (Icloher,  it  is  more  than  pro- 
hahle  that  liiitisli  discomlitme  hy  laml 
and  water,  upon  mid  around  Lake  Ontario, 
would  have  heeii  as  complete!  as  it  wait  upon 
and  around  Champlain. 

Itituriiin;;  to  Kiii;:;stoii  for  the  last  time,  the 
'J'.Hh  Scptenilier,  utter  landing  (leii.  l/.aid's 
division  at  (Jeiiesee  on  the  'l'li\,  Cliauncey 
found  till'  Uritish  sipiadron  prepariii;;to  sail, 
with  their  new  1 1'J  f;uiisliip,  the  St.  l-aw- 
reiice,  manned  hy  eleM'ii  hundred  men.  that 
OIK!  vessel  hy  herself  more  than  a  match  for 
all  the  American  sipiadron.  On  the  i'ltli  of 
Oetolier  that  Le\iaihan  of  the  lake  hein;;; 
ready  to  take  command  of  it,  Commodori! 
("Iiaiincey  was  ohri;.'eil  to  retire  lu  Saekett's 
Iiarhor,  with  an  admirahle  hut  useless  na- 
val forei! :  laid  up  in  a  hamlet  of  the  I'ori'st, 
only  an  inducement  to  tlu!  enemy  to  attack 
ami  d(!stroy  hoth  the  harhor  and  the  lleot, 
the  misoralde  hamlet  in  which  it  took  ex- 
tremelv  imperfect  shelter,  hein;^  Bcarcely 
defensible.  For,  after  two  years  of  war, 
that  head  cpiarters  of  our  military  and 
naval  operations  on  the  Cmiadian  border 
was  so  ill  fortified  that,  until  (ieneral 
Brown's  arrival  then!  with  two  thousanil 
re<i;ular  troopM,  it  was,  if  not  at  the  nuircy, 
at  any  rate  in  danger  of  a  British  attack, 
which  was  hourly  and  fearfully  expected. 
In  the  rude  aii})renticesliip  to  Anioriean  art 
of  war,  not  only  was  Saekett's  Harbor 
feebly  but  so  incorrectly  fortified  that  an 
enterjirisini;'  enemy  iniftht  have  probably 
taken  it.  Fortunately  American  ))ro;;resa 
ill  arms  had  tau;!;ht  our  oiu'iiiy  forhearauec. 
(hi  the  loth  October  Coimiiodoro  Yeo  put 
forth  on  the  lako  with  his  immense  flag-shi)), 
oneof  thelari^est  in  the  world,  but  never  at- 
tempted Saidvctt's  Harbor.  At  that  timo 
Drmiiiuond's  reverses  on  the  >.'iaf;ara  and 
Provost's  on  the  Saranac,  had  confirmed  Bri- 
tish caution,  by  redueiii}^  and  disheartenini^ 
their  numerous  troops  in  Camida.   t'ui  imu- 


% 


n^ ' 


>'  \ 

'  *  1  y 

■ 

'Of. 

r-;' 

■''    '1 

156 


M'ARTIIUR'S 


il 


doro  Chaunooy's  ships  vrora  moored  across 
the  hai'l.'or  for  its  protection,  and  neither 
Gen.  Kompt's  lirigado,  nor  any  other  force 
the  enemy  couhl  then  Ijring  aj;ainst  it, 
showed  any  inclination  to  attempt  it,  after 
(ieneral  JJrown's  arrival  there.  His  un- 
known name  had  heconio  a  tower  of 
strength,  in  twelve  months  after  its  an- 
nouncement from  the  woods,  at  Sackett's 
Harbor,  then  committed  to  his  approved 
and  celebrated  generalship.  Chauncoy's 
licet,  in  July  expected  to  help  Brown's 
division  to  Burlington  Heights,  in  Octo- 
ber was  beholden  to  the  brave  survivors 
of  that  then  contemned  adventure,  to  help 
save  the  fleet  from  capture.  Kingston  and 
Sackett's  Harbor  were  remarkable  testimo- 
nials of  English  and  American  necessities 
and  superfluities.  While  scarcity  of  wood 
in  England  deprived  Kingston  of  ship  tim- 
ber, not  only  Ohaunoey's  ships,  but  the  town 
of  Sackett's  Harbor,  were  built  together  from 
superabundant  forests.  And,  soon  after 
Chauncey,  at  immense  expense  and  labor, 
with  wonderful  dispatch  raised  another  huge 
ship  from  the  green  trees,  that  vast  struc- 
ture, together  with  his  whole  fleet,  the  pro- 
digious line-of-battle-shi]) of  Yeo's  squadron, 
with  all  the  rest  of  it,  were  doomed,  Ame- 
rican anil  I'lnglish  altogeth(U',  to  rot  on  the 
shores  of  Ontario  in  the  sunshine  of  peace. 


EXPEDITION. 


[1814. 


On  the  22d  October,  1814,  an  expedition 
from  Detroit  into  Upper  Canada,  consisting 
of  some  seven  hundred  mounted  gunmen, 
and  a  company  of  rangers,  and  some  In- 
dians, led  by  Brigadier-tJeneral  Duncan 
JIc  Arthur,  of  the  regular  army,  marched  for 
Burlington  Heights,  thence  to  join  General 
Brown.  Finding  the  waters  impassable  in 
])laces,  and  the  Canadian  authorities  on  the 
alert.  General  McArthur,  after  routing  a 
body  of  five  hundred  Canadian  militia  at 
Malcomb's  Mills,  killing  several  and  cap- 
turing more  than  a  hundred,  deemed  it  ne- 
cessary to  retrace  his  steps,  which  he  did, 
without  interruption,  to  Detroit.  Subsist- 
ence being  then  scarce  and  dear  in  Cana- 
da, the  descruction  of  several  mills  and 
considerable  quantities  of  forage  and  pro- 
visions at  the  villages  of  Dover  and  Port 
Talbot,  was  the  chiefeffect  of  this  excursion  ; 
which  the  British  loudly  denounited  as  ruth- 
loss  devastation  by  a  horde  of  nu)untod  ruf- 
fians from  Kentucky,  reducing  settlements 
to  ashes,  the  country  to  indiscriminate 
plunder,  and  leaving  the  miserable  inhabit- 
ants to  perish  with  hunger  and  c(dd.  A 
party  of  the  10;5d  regiment,  of  the  19th 
light  dragoons,  and  some  Indian  warriors, 
were  ilispatehed  to  rejiel  and  chastise  Mc- 
Ai'thur,  but  did  not  come  la  contact  with 
him. 


CHAPTER  Vlir. 


BATTLE  OF  BLADENSnURG  AND  CAPTURE  OF  WASHINGTON. 


TiiRorciiiouT  the  waters  and  shores  of 
the  Chesapeake  Ailmiral  Coekburn  reign- 
ed supreme,  ubiquitous  and  irresistible, 
from  Ca]ies  Charles  and  Henry  to  Havre-d(>- 
Orace.  War  authorizes  miscdiievous,  cruel, 
perhaps  wanton  injury,  coiitriliiitions  ex- 
acted, devastations  committed.  But  the 
burglaries,  hrcenies,  incendiarism  and 
mere  marauding  perpetrated  by  Admiral 
Coekburn  from  his  74  gun  ship,  the  AlliidU, 
Commodore  Barrie,  from  his  ship  of  the 
same  force,  the  Dragon,  and  all  their  co- 
operating oftieers  in  frigates,  sloo]>s-of-war 
anil  other  pulilic  vess(ds  on  the  shores  (if 
Virginia  and  Maryland  were  as  odi(jus  and 
ignoble,  though  less  l)li)ody  or  horrible 
than  the  inhuman  atrocities  of  the  British 
savages  in  the  west.  Slaves  in  large  num- 
bers, large  quantities  of  t(d)acco,  furniture, 
and  otluT  ]>rivate  property,  protected  by 
the  laws  of  war,  and  seldiuu  taken,  even  if 
destroyed,  by  land  troops,  were  seized  upon 
by  the  seafaring  warriors  with  a  piratical 
rapacity,  which  execrable  plunder  would 
have  been  condemuod,  if  known,  in  Eug- 1 


land  :  for  when  the  Earl  of  Donoughmore, 
in  the  House  of  Lords,  in  Novi>mber,  1S14, 
taxed  the  ministry  with  some  of  these  de- 
splcal)le  enormities,  the  Earl  of  Liverpoid 
ileuied  all  knowledge,  much  hsss  approval 
of  them.  Ami'i'ican  imiiotoncy  and  British 
impunity  were  flagrant  in  the  Chesapeake 
liefori!  the  naval  coinmauder-in-cliief.  Ad- 
miral Cochrane  was  officially  instructed  to 
give  formal  notice  to  our  gov(>rnnient  of  in- 
human hostilities;  and  there  was  in  the 
amphibious  irruptions  of  the  vaunted  ]}rit- 
isli  navy  a  mixture  of  frolicksoiiK!,  reckless 
destnujtion,  with  avaricious  piracy,  far  more 
licentious  and  disgraceful  than  J^alitto's  il- 
legalities from  IJarrataria.  for  wh;ise  alli- 
ance at  that  haunt  of  contraband  and  de- 
predation the  British  mn  y  soon  after  ap- 
plied. (!ock)nirn  was  the  very  l>c'ni  i<l/i.al  of 
a  jovial,  indel':itigabl(>,  rapacious  freebooter, 
employed  .'■(lon  after  his  American  misde- 
meanors as  tiie  marine  jailor  of  Niipoleon, 
and  spending,  if  1  am  not  mistaken,  much 
of  the  after  )iart  of  his  life  in  tlu;  dignified 
enjoyment  of  social  intimacy  with  King 


'■■/■'.j'x-  ■■> 


[1814. 

n  expedition 
a,  consisting 
ted  gunmen, 
id  some  In- 
n-al  J)uncan 
marched  for 
join  General 
iii])assal>le  in 
irities  on  the 
,>r  routing  a 
in  militia  at 
ral  and  cap- 
loemed  it  ne- 
hich  he  did, 
)it.  Subsist- 
[oar  in  Oana- 
il  mills  and 
figo  and  pro- 
ror  and  Port 
is  excursion ; 
need  as  ruth- 
inountod  ruf- 
;  settlements 
idiscriminate 
able  inhabit- 
nd  cold.  A 
of  tlie  19th 
ian  warriors, 
chastise  Mo 
contact  with 


Chap.  VIII.] 


BARNEY'S  FLOTILLA. 


16T 


inonghmoro, 
Mnhcr,  ISH, 
(if  tli<!se  dc- 
of  Liverpool 
ess  ai^jiroval 
K  and  JJritish 
Chc^siipoako 
n-chief,  Ad- 
instructed  to 
iniont  of  in- 
was  in   the 
•auntod  Urit- 
)ni(^  reckless 
icv,  far  more 
Lalitte's  il- 
wliose  alli- 
land  and  de- 
II in  after  ap- 
lii-mi  H/ial  of 
IS  frecliooter, 
rican  misde- 
(f  Napoleon, 
;tak('ii,  much 
the  diitnified 
'  witii   King 


George  the  Fourth.  It  was  impracticable  to 
guard  against  his  fleeting  incursions  on  the 
filiores  of  the  Chcsaiieake;  to  divine  when 
or  where  they  would  occur,  jirepare  to  repid 
tlicm,  by  any  means  retaliate  or  ]mnish 
them.  Norfolk,  well  fortiti(>(l  by  a  veteran 
of  the  r(!gular  arnij-,  General  Moses  i'orter, 
nnd  garrisoned  by  \'irginia  mountaineers, 
with  a  few  regulars,  Baltimore,  Washingt^iii 
and  Alexandria,  cities  soon  doomed  to  as- 
saults, not  for  some  time  attemjited,  or  sup- 
posed they  ever  would  be,  the  predatory 
and  prize  making  annoyances  of  the  enemy 
in  the  Chesapeake,  were  limited  to  isolated 
villages,  j)()(U"  farm  houses,  and  other  inde- 
fcnsiiilc!  (ibjects  taken  or  destroyed.  l)o- 
stru(;tion  was  the  punishment  proclaimed 
and  executed  for  resistance.  The  house  and 
barn  were  liurncid  of  whoever  tired  a  shot 
or  drew  a  sword  in  self-defence.  Many  re- 
spectable persons,  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, were  n'duced  to  jniverty  by  these 
(l(>prodations  ;  heads  of  families  Ke])t  conti- 
nually on  militia  duty,  had  no  time  to  at- 
tend to  their  <^rops.  The  poor  were  especial 
sufferers.  Withshoresso  indented  by  creeks 
nnd  bays,  the  whole  force  of  a  state  under 
arms  would  have  been  unequal  to  cope  with 
such  overwhelming  aggressors.  There  were, 
therefore,  loud  cries  of  the  public  voice  for 
some  floating  naval  armament,  to  move 
about  upon  the  waters  and  check  the  other- 
wise resistless  mariners. 

For  tl.at  purpose  a  flotilla  of  barges, 
nu)unting  heavy  guns,  and  numned  by  some 
six  hundred  nuistly  watermen,  was  )>re- 
pared  at  Baltimore,  under  conunand  of  Cap- 
tain Joshua  Barney,  a  bold  and  ex[)erienced 
seaman  and  enterprising  privateersman,  a 
gay,  dressy  and  gallant  specimen  of  the  pe- 
culiarities of  ocean  life,  active  and  dashing 
ns  Cockl)urn,  and  his  ellicientopponent,  with 
very  inferior  means  disputing  the  Maryland 
waters  with  Barrio,  on  whom  the  duty  of 
capturing  Barney  was  {)arti(!ularly  devolved. 
In  the  latter  part  of  Ai)ri],  1814,  moving 
abroad  upon  the  bay  and  rivers  as  far  as 
tlie  mouth  of  the  I'otomae,  he  eluded  and 
disconcerted  a  vastly  superior  British  foi-ce 
in  ships  of  the  line,  frigates,  Kchoon(\rs, 
sloops  and  boats,  pursuing  and  in  vain  en- 
deavoring to  overccune  Barney,  who,  on  the 
first,  eighth,  fifteenth  and  twenty-sixth  of 
•lune,  and  on  many  other  days,  almost 
every  day  encountered  them  with  varitnis 
su(;c(>ss,  and  the  destruction  of  vessels  and 
men  on  both  sides,  at  least  diverting  the 
Ib-itish  from  predatory  incursions  ashore. 
Meantime,  however,  (^nkburn  landed  from 
his  Hliips,  and  with  marines  and  seamen 
pcnetratcul  several  [larts  of  Virginia,  where 
(leneral  T;iylor  was  wounded,  and  narrow- 
ly escai>ed,  and  General  llungerford  was 
chased  from  place  to  place,  the  same  g(in- 
tleman  who  the  year  before  contested  Mr. 
Bi'.yley's  seat  in  the  House  of  lloprcscnta- 
tives.     Barney  was  obliged  to  take  shelter 


beyond  reach  of  tlic  British  larger  vessels 
in  Leonard's  creek,  which  flows  into  the 
I'atuxent,  near  the  town  of  St.  Leonard's, 
where,  on  the  2(Jth  of  June,  a  combined  at- 
tack bj'  the  flotilla,  reinforced  by  a  detach- 
ment of  regulars  under  ]Major  Stuart,  from 
Annnpidis,  and  of  marines,  under  Captain 
Miller,  from  "Washington,  the  whole  com- 
mand'' '  by  Colonel  beeius  Wadsworth,  of 
the  oiiinance,  coiepellcd  the  British  to  re- 
tire wi<h  some  loss,  and  enal)led  Brirney  to 
extricate  his  barges  from  the  creek,  and  re- 
move them  high  up  the  Patuxent  to  Pig's 
JV)inton  Western  Branch,  near  Upper  Marl- 
borough. 

On  that  day,  2r)th  June,  1814,  the  official, 
confidential  a<lviees  from  our  ministers  in 
Hurope  repeated  to  the  President  the  vindic- 
tive determination  of  Great  Britain,  greatly 
alarming  hiu\  with  apprehensions,  which, 
his  war  secretary  could  not  be  made  to 
share,  that  the  seat  of  government  itself,  in 
its  solitary  vacuity,  total  want  of  prepara- 
tion, but  great  national  imp(irtance,  was  in 
danger  ;  and,  like  the  storm  of  destruction 
succeeding  a  cahn  of  security,  fear  broke 
the  tranciuillity  of  the  capital. 

Maryland  was  a  federal  state,  the  govern- 
or, Levin  Winder,  a  fedei'alist,  wh(»se  salu- 
tai'y  arraignments  of  Madison's  administra- 
tion put  it  on  trial.  Still  the  idea  of  Wash- 
ington being  in  danger,  which  (Jeneral 
Wilkinson  had  suggested,  and  the  federal- 
ists often  urged,  was  treated  as  a  mere  chi- 
mera, groundless,  if  not  malicious  accusa- 
tion of  government.  "What,"  said  the  Na- 
tional Intelligencer,  in  May,  1814,  "though 
tlie  enemy  has  taken  possession  of  some 
islands  in  the  Chesapeake?  It  is  absurd  to 
suppose  that  government  can  fortify  every 
point,  island  or  nook  aleng  an  extensive 
coast.  The  nc"  hlioring  militia  must  pro- 
tect them  ;  iiin  though  their  officers  are 
principally  federalists,  yet  they  are  not  of 
the  Boston  stamp.  Not  long  since  one  of 
our  small  privateers  took  possession  of  an 
islrnd  on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  nr)t perhaps 
one  hundreil  miles  from  its  capital,  and  held 
it  for  some  weeks,  notwithstanding  the  tre- 
mendous naval  and  military  force  of  Great 
Britain.  Captain  Porter,  with  his  small 
frigate,  ca[)tured  and  fortified,  and  long 
held  possession  of  three  islands  in  the  Pa- 
cific. There  is  nothing,  then,  miraculous 
or  alarming  in  the  enemy's  large  fleet  seiz- 
ing and  holding  a  few  islands  in  the  Chesa- 
peake ;  in  some  of  them  erecting  hospitals, 
which,  while  he  remains  in  our  waters,  we 
hope  may  be  well  filled.  As  to  his  near 
approach  to  the  cai>ital,  which  has  been 
hinted  at,  we  have  no  idea  of  his  attempt- 
ing to  reach  this  vicinity  ;  and  if  he  does, 
we  have  no  doubt  he  will  meet  such  a  re- 
ception as  ho  did  at  Cran(<y  Island.  The 
enemy  knows  better  what  he  is  about  than 
to  trust  liimself  abreast  or  on  this  side  of 
Fort  Washington.   There  are  no  federalists 


*?^' 


Vrf"-'  • 


i-^ 


:,-:.m 


■■■^ 

t,  '  '■' 

U  i 

1 

* 


If)  8 


URTTISTI  IN  TTIE  CIIESArEAKE. 


[1814. 


V  t 


'fi 


(if  tlin  llostrtii  stamp,  or  noiio  to  sij;nifv,  ]  of  tlwi  Ainorifan  navy  ovor  tliat  of  Groat 
licrcalioiits."  I'lwtly  to  promoto  coiifHli'in'c,  '  Britain,  l»0};;aii  tlin  iattcr's  nitiiiiato  and 
hut  mostly  in  vain-;rloi'ions  as<nrani'o,  tin-  ,  pi-ohaLly  not  distant  deposition  from  tlio 
■jircss  of  Ualtimoro  at  tlic  sann' tinier  lioast- '  cnipiro  of  the  ocean.  'I'lie  IJrilisii  army 
t'd  of  tlie  perfri't  seiMirity  on  wliirli  tliat  (  ity  i  liore  off  mncli  of  that  nndispiitiMl,  ex- 
nnd  Wiisliin^rton  mi:;;lit  rely.  Tiie  nnmlier  j  eeedinp;  Kiij^lisli  attaelnnent  wliicli,  till 
ol'troojis,  tlieir  sup(>rior  ei|ni)inient  anddis- i  ^\'ellill;;ton's  adv(Mit,  liidonf^ed  almost  ex- 
cipiiiie,    (ieiieral    Winder's    (>xertions,    ^o- j  (dnsivtdy  to  the  British  navy,  of  which  tlie 


vernment's  vi;;ilaiiee,  the  many  I'ennsylvii- 
iiia  and  .Maryland  militia  always  at  h;ind, 


-VnnM'iean  navy  took  away  still  mor<\  ainl 
steam,  and  all  nniritimo  Kuropo  will  (U)  the 


vere  jiaradeil  in  print  with  jiresnniptnons  •  rest, 
vannt.  "  We  have  |io\vder  and  hali,  mus- j  On  the  14th  Anj<;nst  Coehrano's  fleet, 
kets  and  prepared  ammunition  enoii;i;h,"  ;  entering;  the  Chesajieake  t!iroii;jh  tht>  iiine 
said  one  parat:;ra]di,  "  to  kill  all  iln'  Enirlish-  forests,  lowlands  r.nd  )iarr(>ns  of  that  snttry, 
nu'n  inor<'oiniiii;to  .\merica.  .Madison'sea-  sandy  re<:;ion,  weie  innnediat(dy  joined  hy 
pital  may  be  threateiu'd,  or  the  destrnetion 


vi'   l$altimor(>  talked  of,  hut  Ave  o;iu'ss  thev 


Coekhnrn.  with    three    siiip.s    of  the    line 
several    frii>;ates,    sloo]is-of-war,   and    ;iun- 


■will  not  he /)iov(/ at  present."  Shortly  after  ;  hri^^s,  so  that  no  l(>ss  than  twenty  British 
these  ]nihlieations.  on  the  l:Uh  of  Aui^nst,  '  jiennants  lloateil  from  the  mast-heads  id' the 
11^14.  Assistant  Adjutant  (iein'ral  Hite.  hy  nohle  ship)iin.<^  whi(di  sailed  up  the  hay. 
order  from  (ieneral  Windi>r,  was  ohli^ed  to  Seven  hundreil  nnirines,  oiu'  hnndn>d  nv- 
sinnounee  to  the  militia  who  had  refused  to  ^  jiroes.  lat(dy  armed  and  diseiplineil,  and  a 
ohey  orders  to  mareh,  that  th(>y  would  he  '  ilivision  of  nuiriiu' artillery  wer(>  then  ailded 
tried  and ///*'■</ hy  court-martial  on  the 'J7(h  to  (ieneral  Boss'  command,  nuikin;;  alto- 
of  .\uij[;nst.  three  ilays  i\\'tor  the  capture  of  p;ether  an  aiauy  id'  four  thousand  troops: 
Washini;tou.  all  hut  the  hlack  slaves,  who  w(U'e  stiden  in 

In  that  strain  of  semi-oflicial  e;2;re<^iotis    Anu>riea,  transported  from  Huro]ie,  not  for 


iniscoueeption  had  ptiMie  opinion  Iuhmi 
roi'ke<|  to  .sleep,  with  assurance  that  Wash- 
iuf^ton  was  in  no  danger.  In  duly.  \X\'.\, 
mentiiuu'd    in  the  first  volume  of   this 


us 


any  ^termanent  or  rational  compu'st,  hut 
the  avowed  purpose  (d'  mere  wanton  devas- 
tation. With  orders  to  d(>stroy,  they  dis- 
oheyed  that  harhariais  commanil,  only  when 
Avhat  they  were  in  duty  hound  to  annihilate 
mijiht  he  turned  to  the  account  of  disohe- 
diciit  avarice.  Admiral  Malcolm,  Admiral 
(■odrinjtion,  wdio  aft(>rwards  connnanded 
wluui  the  Turkisii  navy  was  (h^stroyed  at 
Navarino,  captain  of  t\w  fleet  in  the  (Mu'sa- 
peake,  and  Captain  Najiier,  now  an  Kn;^- 
lish  admiral,  served  under  Admiral  Coch- 
considerahlc  sipmdrons  at  that  time,  they  ^  rane  on  that  occasion.  Tlu?  first  day's  sail 
npproacdied  nt>arenouii;h  to  ascertain  that  a    carried   them   to  the  mouth  (d"  the '.lames 


sket(di,  lia<j;e  ll'.>.  Admirals  Warren  and 
C'Ockhurn  had  felt  the  pulse  and  soundeil  the 
spirit  of  the  somnolent  rustii^  capital,  with 
few  peo|d(>,  anil  no  juihlic  siuitimeut  hut 
the  little  officially  imparted  hy  the  execu- 
tive, throuj^h  its  orjjan  of  the  press.  Sail- 
in>i  on  hotli  sides  of  V  usimpiton  u])the  Vo- 
tonmc  and  Chesapeake,  with  heavy  ships  in 


stridvc  of  brilliant  a'lj^ression  mi^ht  lay  the 
political  nu>tropolis  in  ruins,  or  at  loiist  un- 
der martial  contribution.  Cockburn's  lonj; 
rei;vn  over  all  the  waters  and  conlhients  of 
Chesajteake  Bay,  familiarized  him  with  their 
obstacle  and  facilities,  and  imbued  him 
with  contempt  for  American  resistance,  as 
■well  as  for  the  laws  of  civilized  war,  and 
the  caitture  of  Wa  •■hin;i;ton  was  a  sudden 
mercenary  su<i;;;estion,  of  which  plunder 
inm-e  than  glory  or  vengeance  was  the  im- 
pulse. 

Admiral  Cochrane  ^yent  to  Beruiuda,  to 
superintend  the  reinforcements  exjiected 
there  for  (.'anada,  for  Louisiami  and  the 
Chesapeake.  On  the  ?,i\  of  August,  IS  14, 
on  hoard  his  eighty  gun  ship,  the  Tonnant, 
<uie  of  Kngland's  great  prizes  from  the  de- 
molisheil  navy  of  !•' ranee,  the  ISrltish  naval 
eommander-in-chiefsailedfrom  Bermuda  for 
the  Chesapeake;  convoying  three  thousand 
land  troops,  just  from!' ranee,  led  byji  bold 
and  ailv(M\turiius  young  nuijor-general,  Ho- 
liert  Boss,  wdiohad  learnediii  Spain  theways 
of  those  triumphant  Knglish  campaigns, 
which,  togetlioi"  with  .simultaneous  successes 


River,  which  received  the  first  Knglish 
emigrants  to  Virginia  ;  the  second  to  the 
Potomac;  and  the  third  to  the  Patuxent; 
where  a  thunder-gust  denounced  their  ar- 
rival. On  the  lUth  and  20th  Atigust,  with- 
out hindrance  or  aeciihuit,  not  a  shot  fired 
against  them,  the  army  was  debarked  at 
ISeiieilict.  a  snmll  village  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  I'atuxent.  "  Its  lianks,"  said  aji 
Mnglish  officiu'  of  the  expediticm,  "covered 
with  fields  of  hidian  corn  and  nmadows  of 
the  most  luxuriant  past\ire,  the  neat  wooden 
houses,  white,  ami  surrounded  with  orchards 
and  gardens,  with  backgrounds  of  bound- 
less forests,  differed  in  every  respect  from 
the  country  in  France,  the  furze,  heath  and 
underwood  skirting  the  similar  pine  forests, 
as  if  there  had  not  been  time  to  grub  and 
(dear  the  ground."  The  first  sight  these 
Britmis  had  of  one  of  the  most  insignificant 
rivers,  and  by  no  menus  the  richest,  best 
wooded,  or  best  cultivated  parts  of  this 
country,  struck  their  inuigination,  accus- 
tomed to  tlu!  smaller,  gnuuier,  neater  and 
moister  scenery  of  their  own  island,  as 
"  forests  and  rivers  sublime  beyond  descrip- 


[1814. 

nt  f>f  Groat 
tiniiito  ami 
n  fniin  tlio 
rilisli   army 

S|)llt(Ml,      (>X- 

wliii'li,  till 
almost  ox- 
1"  wliicli  tlio 
1  m(ir(%  and 
!  will  do  the 

raiio's    (loot, 
}!;li  tlic  y'uw 
'  tliat  sdttrv, 
y  ji lined  liy 
;)i"   tlm    line, 
,   and    "inn- 
(>nty  I'ritisli 
•heads  of  the 
nj)   th(>  bay. 
linndrcMl  ne- 
lincil,  and  a 
(>  then  adde(l 
aakin;^  alto- 
iand  troojis : 
(>re  stolen  in 
rojie,  not  for 
oni(iu'st,  liut 
anton  devas- 
>V,  they  <liH- 
d,  only  when 
to  annihihitc 
!<■  (d'  disoho- 
Ini,  Admiral 
eoniniandiul 
estroyed  at 
1  th(\  Chesa- 
>w  an  En^- 
miral  Coidi- 
st  day's  sail 
the   .Jiinies 
st    Kni^lish 
eond  to  the 
•  PatMxent ; 
d  tlieir  ar- 
n;;'ust,  with- 
a  sliot  fired 
leharked   at 
e  east  bank 
s,"  said    an 
n,  "  covered 
n»(>ad()ws  of 
neat  wooden 
ith  orelnmls 
s  of  bonnd- 
rc^speet  from 
e,  iieatli  and 
(line  forests, 
to  ;rrub  and 
siijlit  these 
insi^jnitieant 
I'iidiest,  best 
arts   of  this 
tion,  accus- 
n(!ater  and 
1   island,  as 
ond  descrip- 


Cii.vr.  VIII.] 


BTIITISII 
— ^ 


ARJIY. 


ir,o 


tion ;  whilst  the  tiny  snots  cnltivatod  look  j 
like  iietty  thefts  from  tlu!  wild  beasts,  and 
wilili'r  sava<:;es,  of  those  savannahs,  wdiicdi 
thev  I'are  not  to  resent,  because  unworthy 
of  tl  I'ir  notice."  Next  day  the  forces  were 
hri;;;aded,  ideven  limiilred  men,  a  company 
of  1  .erines  ami  party  of  disci])lined  ne;^roes 
mi(li.>i'  •  olonel  'I  hornton,  and  fourteen  hnn- 
dred  nn  '  sixty  bayonets  more  under  Col. 
IJreok:  the  21st  rej^-iment  and  battalion  of 
luariiii's,  about  fourteen  liuudnMl  stronfj, 
iiiKlcr  Col.  Patterson,  with  one  hundred  ar- 
tillerists and  one  hundred  drivers,  but  only- 
one  six-pount)  cannon  and  two  small  three- 
lounders,  landed  from  the  ships,  for  want  of 
lorses  to  draw  them,  drawn  by  one  hun- 
dred seamen,  one  hundred  mon;  bein^  em- 
ployed in  carrying  stores,  ammunition  and 
other  necessaries ;  also  fifty  sappers  and 
miners:  four  thousand  live  hundred  men 
altiiiiether  oomposinji;  the  force  ;  none  on 
liorsidiaek  except  tlu^  f^eneral  and  statl- 
ollicers ;  without  cavalry  or  hardly  any 
uitillery.  On  the  afternoon  oi'  the  2lst 
Aujinst,  this  insignificant  army,  to  invade  a 
country  and  capture  its  cajiital,  marched 
from  th(>  encampnuuit  of  tln-ir  del)arkation  ; 
each  man,  besides  the  heavy  arms  carried 
by  Ib'itisb  tr'-'  <  loaded  witli  sixty  rounds 
of  ball  carc.i  knapsack  containing 

shirts,    shoes  .  '  nic^s,    and   blanket:    a 

hiiversaek  HI'  ..  .i.'i  three  days'  provisions 
and  his  drinking  canteen.  The  wenthei 
r.as  hot:  the  men  long  cooped  up  i:\  ships, 
unused  to  sujh  heavy  burdens,  enervated 
by  inactivity,  were  overcome  by  the  first 
short  march  .if  six  miles,  and  many  of  them 
dropped  out  of  the  ranks,  unable  to  keep  up. 
1'lie  utmost  caution,  vigilance,  and  circum- 
spection were  practiced  by  their  leiidei's, 
apprehensive  of  ujolestation,  which,  how- 
ever, never  harassed  or  impeded,  seldom 
api>roached,  and  scarcely  disturbed  the  un- 
easy and  irresidute  invaders'  slow  and 
timorous  advance.  The  unnumly  naval 
hostilities  which,  for  more  than  twelve 
months,  had  distressed,  wasted,  nmildened, 
and  mortified  those  regions,  provoked,  by 
reaction,  unprincipled  exasperation  to  in- 
huniiin  animosity.  Uiikiu)wn  and  obscure 
individuals,  many  of  whose  humble  and 
harmless  dwellings  were  robbed,  burned, 
their  shnes  stolen,  and  their  possessions 
devastated  with  mercil<>ss  outrage,  rotali- 
at(;d  in  like  spirit  of  dialxdieal  injury.  In- 
vasion by  armies  is  regulated  by  a  eod(> 
which  somewhat  spares  the  unott'ending : 
and  territorial  conquests  are  commonly  in- 
tended to  be  preserveil.  But  the  s(!a  laws  of 
Oreut  liritain  are  essentially  rapacious  and 
unsi)aring;  and  fugitive  incursions  ashore, 
wheridiy  mariners,  landing  to  ravage  and 
then  retreat  to  their  shipping,  freejuently  a 
mere  handful  of  transitory  iucandiaries  or 
depredators,  always  destroying  more  than 
eapturing,  provokes  a  sort  of  border  warfare 
odious  ami  implacable.    The  few  niiliti  i 


and  half-armed  individuals  suddenly  got 
together  to  save  prop(M'ty  from  suid:  attaidts, 
and  kept  on  the  ah'rt,  take  illegilimato 
vengeance,  till  hostilities  degeneratt^  from 
great  operati(jns  to  little  personal  and  the 
most  infuriatcMl  confl'.cts.  Cotdiranc^'s  pro- 
clamation from  Bermuda,  inviting  th((  slaves 
to  r(!Volt,  was  a  smothered  firebrand  in 
(!very  houselndd,  more  terrible  and  unpar- 
donable than  torpedoes  under  British  s'-ps. 
Slaves  g(!ncrally  attached  to  their  nuisters' 
families,  in  whi(di  they  are  never  treated  so 
harshly  as  soldiers  in  British  armies,  and  less 
inclined  to  desert  or  revolt,  were,  neviM'the- 
less,  an  inert  mass,  in  which  one  restive  or 
ineer.diary  spark  might  set  the  wlnde  on 
firo.  Brutalities  on  both  sides  were  the 
inevitable  result  of  the  system  perpetrated 
by  the  aggressor.  Slaves,  or  ignorant  and 
unjirineipled  freemen,  whoso  property  was 
wantonly  ruined,  resorted  to  what  Commo- 
doni  Ba.-rie  called  the  "beastly  act"  of 
retalititing  the  ruin  (d"  their  homes,  by 
]ilacing  i)arrels  of  p,  isoned  Avhiskey  in 
the  way  of  (m(>mies  carrying  fire  and 
sword  into  smiling  plantations,  against 
whi(di  ihuiger  a  gentleman  risked  his  life 
to  ;!]iprise  Barrie.  Bi;t  luuide-.vais,  cruel, 
assassinating  contrivances  were  the  natu- 
ral, bitter  products  of  the  poi.^onous  seeds 
broadcast  in  such  hostilities:  cowardly  re- 
sorts on  both  sides.  Fear  was  a  ]irevail- 
.i:g  sentiment.  Brave  British  soldiers  and 
higln;>irited  Americans,  who,  in  regular 
battles,  would  have  met  without  shrinking, 
were  naturally  afraid  of  some  unusual  and 
clandestine  destruction,  and  panic  was  the 
genius,  or  demon,  of  every  transaction  from 
Boss'  landing  till  he  re-<!mbarked.  )*anic 
palsied  our  men  under  arms,  stimulated 
and  hurried  their  assailants,  unnerved  and 
distracted  the  executiv",  sacked  the  capital, 
where,  if  Ross  had  been  killed  by  the  clan- 
uestine  shot  which  killed  his  horse  as  ho 
rode  into  it,  after  the  battle  of  Bladensbiirg, 
and  left  Cockburn  to  command,  there  is 
little  doubt  that  every  house  would  have 
been  consumed  in  one  universal  and  final 
execution  of  the  barbarian  hostilities  prac- 
ticed by  him. 

Desirous,  -ndierever  it  can  be  done,  of 
making  the  enemy  tell  the  stor}-,  I  (pioto 
from  an  English  officer,  who  Vas  with 
Bi)ss'  army,  ihe  following  account  of  the 
spirit  and  manner  in  which  the  expedition 
was  conducted. 

"  Cruising  about  in  every  direction,  they 
threatened  the  whole  line  of  coast,  from  the 
entrance  to  the  very  bend  of  the  iiay:  and 
thus  kept  ihe  Americans  in  a  constant  state 
of  alarm.  Whenever  a  favorable  ojijiortu- 
nity  presented  itself,  parties  landed,  plun- 
dered, or  destroyed  tin;  government  stores, 
laid  towns  and  districts  under  contribution, 
and  brought  off  all  the  shipping  whiidi  could 
be  reached.  In  a  wcrd,  the  hostilities  car- 
ried on  in  the  Chesapeake  rosombled  tho 


P 

:,  , 

- 

;). 

'  "■','.■  k'' 


t-'^.'-'-: 


'''t'MJ 


';i: 


■•  I 


V 


160 


MARCH  ON  WASHINGTON. 

— 4 — 


[1814. 


■      *   ' 

I'.  J-     ; '  ;  ;■» 


'  i 


i 


■;.^i 


...^ 


II: 


expotlitjon  of  tho   ancient  Danes  against 
tircat  IJritain,  rathor  than  a  modern  war 
lictween   eivili/.oil   nations."     Siicli   beinf; 
the  apt  similitude  of  an  Enj;;lish  phmdorer 
himself,  avo  liavo  but  to  ask  another  Kng- 
lisii  historian  for  a  brief  aecoui.t  of  tlie 
Pai.ish  invasion  to  which  he  likens  that  of 
tho   modern   Kn^lish   in   America.     "  All 
f.trostiling   parties,"  says   Hume,   "  wiiom 
necessity  or  a  love  of  plunder  had  drawn 
to  a  distance  from  their  chief,  were  cut  off 
by  the  Jhifilish.     Having  tried  all  the  pri- 
soners at  Winchester,  Alfred  (the  great) 
lianged  them  as  pirates,  the  common  ene- 
mies of  mankind.    The  animosities  between 
the  inhabitants  of  English  and  Danish  race 
had,  from  these  repeated  injuries,  risen  to 
a  great  height,  when  Ethelred,  from  a  po 
licy  incident  to  weak  princes,  om])raced  the 
cruel  resolution  of  massacroing  the  latter 
throughout  all  his  dominions.     Secret  or- 
ders  were   dispatched    to   commence    the 
execution  everywhere   on   the   same   day, 
and  the  festival  of  St.  Brice,  which  fell  on  a 
Sunday,  on  which  the  Danes  usually  bathed 
themselves,  was  chosen  for  that  jmrpose. 
It '"  needless  to  repeat  the  barbarity  of  the 
account  transmitted  to  us  concerning  the 
cruelty    of  this  massacre.      The   rage    of 
t'iO  p<    uhice,  excited  by  so  many  injuries, 
sanctified  by  authority,  nnd  stimulated  by 
exam[)l<-,  distinguished  not  between  inno- 
cence and  guilt,   spare<l   neither  sex   nor 
age,   and   avus   not    satisfied   without    th(! 
torture  as  well  as  death  of  the  unhappy 
victim."     Of  the  narrator,  who  likens  u'.o- 
dcrn    English    invasion    of   this    country 
to  Danish  invasion  of  England  in  a  bar- 
barous age,  an  authoritative  English  pub- 
lication, the  (Quarterly  Review,  sr.ys  :   "  Ex- 
hibiting   in    his    pages    an    intimate    ac- 
quaintance with  the  real  occurrences,  &c.. 
while  a  vein  of  manly  feeling  and  generous 
sentiment  enhances,  in  a  very  s[)(!cial  man- 
ner, sumo  of  the  most  distressing  scenes  to 
which  the  checkered  course  of  a  soldier's  | 
life  is  lialdo."    "England,"  said  the  author 
thus  cotiunended,  "was  now  at  ptnice  with 
all  the  world,  except  this,  her  most  inijda- 
cable  i'ueniy,  against  whom    she  has   th(> 
justest  cause  of  irritation  ;  nor  is  it  at  all 
pj-obabl(!  that  she  will  let  slip  an  opportu- 
nity so  favorable  of  severely  chastising  her 
for  her  perfidy  and  ingratitude!." 

Hence,  probably,  for  it  is  difficult  io  tell 
why,  litde  or  no  resistance  was  made  to 
th"  British  in  all  their  wary,  hesitating, 
and  ajipridiensive  march  from  Benetlict; 
when  one  hour's  stout  opposition  anywhere 
would  have  deterred  their  further  attempt 
to  go  to  Washington.  J)read  and  hatred 
depopulated  the  towns  and  country,  from 
which  tlu!  jieople  lied  in  mass,  when  they 
should  all  have  staid  with  Winder's  troops 
and  Barney's  watermen  to  dispute  every 
inch.  Ross'  first  stage  was  to  Notting- 
ham,  whither  ho  marched  in  pursuit  of 


Barney's  flotilla,  which  was  gone  to  IMg's 
Point,  near  Marlborough  ;  proving  a  must 
unlucky  inducement  for  pursuit ;  and  burn- 
ed, as  It  was,  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  when  it  might  alone,  certainly 
when  covered  by  Winder's  army,  have  with- 
stood, if  not  defeated,  Ross,  proving  a  worse 
than  useless  obstacle  to  his  advance,  on  the 
contrary  masking  his  rush  on  Washington. 
The  British  officer  before  cited,  in  his 
1  arrative,  says  of  Nottingham,  that  "  it  was 
a  town  containing  from  a  thousand  to  fif- 
teen hundred  inhabitants,  which  we  found 
completely  deserted.  Not  an  individual 
was  to  be  seen  in  the  streets,  or  remained 
in  tho  houses  ;  while  the  appearance  of  the 
furniture,  &c.,  in  some  places  the  very  bread 
left  in  the  ovens,  showed  that  it  had  Ijeeu 
eviicuited  in  great  haste  immediately  be- 
fore our  arrival.  The  houses  were  little 
superi  )r  to  cottages,  but  surrounded  by 
others  of  far  })ettcr  description,  good  sulj- 
.liantial  farm-houses,  the  country  for  seve- 
ral miles  round  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
the  fields  covereil  with  an  abundant  and 
luxuriant  crop  of  tobacco,  of  which  besides 
we  found  numerous  barns  filled  w  ith  the 
remains  of  last  year's  crops,  the  whole  of 
which  was  of  course  seized  in  the  name  of 
his  majesty  King  George  the  Third." 

A  London  Journal  of  the  9th  August, 
1*^14,  mentioning  "with  pleasure  that  seve- 
ral detachments  of  the  army  of  the  Penin- 
sula and  France  .are  arrived  on  the  St. 
Lawrence,''  tulded,  "our  fleet  on  the  At- 
lantic coast  of  America  appears  to  have 
created  great  alarm,  and  done  considerable 
mischief  by  a  warfare!  of  a  somcic/mt  am- 
hitjiums  character."  Those  modest  terms 
gently  questioned  the  amphibious  depreda- 
tions on  tho  shores  of  the  Chesapeake, 
which  a  British  officer,  one  of  their  perpe- 
trators, des"ri))ed  as  revivals  of  the  atroci- 
ties wliiidi  in  a  barbarous  age  marked  the 
Danish  invasion  of  England. 

Tho  shocking  simplicity  of  this  English 
narrative  attests  that  neither  nmn  woman, 
child,  nor  slave  staid,  but  all  fled  ti.i  the  ap- 
proach of  foes 
more  horrible, 
sure,  and  marching  from  Benedict  to  Not- 


f  rmidable  indeed,  but  still 
Thus  landing  at  their  plea- 


tiugham  without  a  show  of  hindranc:',  tho 
enemy,  surprised  and  perplexed  by  such 
unexampled  and  incomprehensible  permis- 
sion, encamped  for  the  night  at  Nottingham, 
surrounding  themselves  with  unusual  pre- 
caution against  the  attack  they  supposed 
could  not  be  long  deferred.  Next  day  tliev 
marched  ten  miles  further,  to  Upper  Marl- 
borough, still  in  i)ursuit  of  Barney,  but  so 
much  nearer  Washington ;  not,  however, 
Without  much  doubt,  increased  hesitation, 
and  General  Ross'  strong  reluctance,  over- 
come at  last  by  Coiikburn,  instigator  of  the 
movement  beyond  that  point.  The  general 
long  paused  before  he  would  consent  to  fol- 
low even  the  flotilla  any  further,  inclining 


Chap.  VIII.] 


!;onc  to  I'ig's 
Dving  a  innst 
it ;  and  burn- 
I  Socrctavy  of 
)ne,  certainly 
ly,  liavo  with- 
ovinp;  a  ■worse 
vance,  on  Hic 
AVashington. 
jitcd,    in   his 
,  that  "  it  was 
ousand  to  lif- 
lich  wo  fdund 
m   individual 
,  or  reniainod 
earanco  of  the 
the  very  bread 
t  it  had  been 
mediately  be- 
es were  little 
irrounded  by 
on,  good  sul)- 
intry  for  seve- 
of  cultivation, 
ibundant  and 
which  besides 
illed  A^  1th  the 
,  the  wlude  of 
n  the  name  of 
Third." 
)  9th  August, 
?,ure  that  scve- 
of  the  Penin- 
d  on   tlio  .St. 
et  on  the  At- 
pears  to  have 
e  considerable 
siiincic/ii't  aiii- 
modest   terms 
jious  depreda- 
Chcsapeake, 
f  their  pcrpe- 
(if  the  atroei- 
le  marked  the 

this  RnglLsh 
man  woman, 
fled  oa  the  ap- 
deed.  but  still 
g  at  tlieir  filea- 
nedict  to  Not- 
lindranc:^,  the 
exed  by  sucli 
nsi!)le  permis- 
t  Nottingham, 

unusual  pre- 
liey  piipposed 
Next  day  they 
>  Upper  Marl- 
iarney,  but  so 
not,  however, 
led  hesitation, 
uctance,  over- 
stigator  of  the 
The  general 
consent  to  fid- 
dler, inclining 


BARNEY'S  FLOTILLA  BURNED. 

— • — 


IGl 


to  return  to  tho  shipping  in  the  Potomac,  j  as  to  the  unprepared  state  of  tlie  enemy, 
"  There  seemed,"  says  the  i>ritish  narrator,  \  &c.,  his  presence  mi,!j;lit  have  tiie  etli'ct  u( 
"  to  be  sometliing  like  hesitation  as  to  the  .  inclining  tiie  scale  in  favor  of  a  forwan' 
course  to  bo  pursued,  whether  to  follow  the  >  movement,  so  cainestly  desired.  Under 
gun-boats,  or  return  to  the  shipping.     But    t'.is  impression,  two  individuals  of  the  stuff 


at  last  the  former  proceeding  was  resolved 
ui>iin,  and  the  column  set  forward  about 
eight  o'clock  in  the  direction  of  Marlbo- 
rougli,  another  village  about  ten  miles  be- 
yond Notti'igham,  marching  through  the 
heart  of  thick  forests  well  covered  from  the 
rays  of  t'lo  sun."  "  During  our  progress 
tho  same  caution  was  observed  which  wc 
had  practiced  yesterday.  Nor  was  it  alto- 
gether unneco^'sary,  several  bodies  of  the 
enemy's  horse  oi  casionally  showin<j  them- 
selves; and  wli!/;  af)peai'!d  to  bo  the  rear 
guard  of  a  column  of  inf.vntry,  evacuating 
JIarlljorough  as  ,uv  advanc  e  entered.  There 
was,  however.  Utile  or  no  skirmishing,  and 
w)  wore  allowed  to  remain  in  that  village 
all  night  without  nndestation." 

A  he    biographer  of  Adnii:;;!    Cockburn 
claims  for  him  exclusive  credit,  whilst  a  land 


proceeded  to  the  river  side,  some  few  miles 
off,  where  the  admiral  tlicn  was ;  and  h.av- 
ing  submitted  to  him  tlieir  views  and  wishes 
on  tho  subject,  proposed  that  ho  should 
mount  a  led  horse,  they  had  for  the  purpose 
brought  with  them,  in  order  to  facilitate 
his  getting  to  the  bivouac,  to  tender  to  the 
major-general  his  services  and  presence  on 
the  occasion.  This,  with  his  characteristic 
zeal,  ho  agreed  to ;  tho  oflbr  was  accepted 
by  tho  major-general,  and  as  the  advance 
sul)sequently  ttmk  place,  it  is  perfectly  fair 
to  conclude  that  the  prosenee  of  the  rear- 
admiral  may  not  have  been,  as  in  fact  it 
was  not,  without  a  favorable!  Idas." 

Thus,  Cockbuin's  1-Mowledge  of  the  coun- 
try, and  contempt  for  iL^  capacity  of  resist- 
ance, led  Koss  on,  from  step  to  stc]),  em- 
loldened  all  the  way  liy  alinos*:   al;solutc 


officer,  Col.lvans,  deems  it  impcjssilde  that  a  i  non-resistance,  till  at  length  the  first  salute 


seaman  could  have  thought  of  preparing  a 
campaign  for  the  guidance  of  a  general  "  se- 
cond only  in  successful  experience  and  repu- 
tation to  the  Duke  of  Wellington."  But  the 
official  letter  of  (jicn.lloss  says :  "To  Rear-Ad- 
niiral  Cockburn,  w/to  su(/i/c.sli:il  the  attack  on 
iras/iiii(/t(>it,iind  who  accompanied  the  army 


of  American  panic  enabled  tho  admiral  to 
take  the  general  to  AVashington. 

"But,"  saj's  tho  English  narrator,  "if 
wo  were  not  harassed,  wc  were  at  least 
startled  on  the  march  by  several  heavy- 
explosions.  Tlie  cause  of  this  we  were  at 
tirst  unable  to  discover ;  but  we  soon  learned 


I  confess  the  greatest  obligations  for  his  cor- '  tb.at  they  were  occasioned  by  the  blowing 
dial  co-operation  and  advice,"  which  seems  ]  up  of  the  very  sciuadron  of  which  we  were 
decisive  as  to  the  authorship  of  the  scheme,  j  in    pursuit;    which    Connnodore    Barney, 


perceiving  the  impossibility  of  preserving, 
prudently  destroyed,  in  order  to  prevent  itn 
falling  into  our  hands.     In  Marlborough 

hr, 

lU 


we  remained,  not  only  du'-ing  tho  nigh 
but  till  noon  on  tiio  following  dav.     Tl 


and  with  regard  to  the  execution  of  it,  the 

f(dlowing  statement  of  Colonel  Evans  him- ! 

self  is  as  explicit  as  to  the  influence  of  the 

aJmiral  in  reassuring  and  urging  on  the  I 

army  at  a  moment  evidently  of  great  irre- 1 

soluti(jn.     "  T!ie   column  having  diverged   hesitation  which  had  caused  the  loss  of  a 

some  miles  from  the  river  towards  tho  in- '  few  hours  at  Nottingham  again  interposed, 

tcrior,    intimation,  however,  was  brought   and  produced  a  serious  delay,  which  might 

in  that  tho  force  collecting  in  front  was    have   been   attended   with    serious   conse- 

very    ''rongly    posted,    and    considerably   quences.     At  length,  however,  orders  were 

more  nunic.  :>as  tliin  had  been  anticipated     given  to  form,  and  we  quitted  Marl))orough 

Doubts  then   lu.^y  have   arisen  as   to   tin;  |  aljout  two  in  the  afternoon,  taking  the  road 

course  most  eligilde  to  pursue  ;  whether  to  i  to  AVashington." 

persist  in  the  olionsivo,  or  to  abandon  that  i      Barney's  flotilla  was  destroyed,  not  by 

intention  ;  and  a  portion  of  tho  morning,  it   him.     AVidi  nearly  all  his  oflicers  and  men, 

is  (juite  true,  elapsed  in  discussing  these   liy  order  ',)f  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  ho 

Jioints.  But  as  it  became  necessary  on  the  had  joined  Oeneral  AVinder,  leaving  only 
bllowing  day  to  engage  in  an  ail'air  of  ra-  five  men  with  each  boat  to  blow  it  up:  and 
ther  more  than  ordinary  risk,  that  of  forcing  that  strange  sacrifice,  by  superior  orders 
a  bridge,  defended  by  three  or  four  times  |  from  AVashington,  of  a  force  that  might 
the  number  of  the  assailants,  and  by  the  i  have  defied  the  whole  British  army,  was 
fire  of  twenty-four  pieces  of  cannon,  a  little  ;  one  of  the  many  acts  of  inexplicable  terror 
time  for  rellection  will  not,  perhaps,  lie  i  whi(di  precluded  all  hope  of  saving  tho 
deemed  to  ha^■e  ))een  unreasonably  spent,  j  cajdtal.  Tlio  explosion  of  Barney's  flotilla 
The  point  for  final  consideration  was  this. 
AVhether  or  not  the  aspect  of  affairs  war- 
ranted attempting  that  which  completely 
overstepped  the  intentions  of,  and  was  wholly 


was  a  salute  to  induce,  invite,  almost  to 
welcome  what  the  Secretary  of  AVar  charac- 
terized as  the  Cossavk  rush  upon  AVashing- 
ton. At  Marlborough  the  British  army 
umontomplated  by,  government.  AVhile  the  j  was  within  eighteen  miles  of  it,  having 
decision,  however,  was  pending,  it  occurred,  marched  some  twenty  almost  unresisted, 
that  if  tho  rear-admiral  were  on  the  spot  to  |  They  were,  it  might  "be  said,  lietweeu  tho 
repeat  tho  opiuioua  previously  discussed,  1  Americau  army  at  the  woodyurd,  a  short 


iil 


h-  ■ 

:0. 


i"-''-^';':^ 


•'I  ■ 


^^'^i^;"': 
i\»»ii''.^ 


■  m 

\4; 


h*' 


162 


NAPOLEON  BANISHED. 
— * — 


[1S14. 


l^  ■■■ 


hi 


V  J- 


■■  Ji 


-J 


I 


distance  south  of  the  British  and  the  capi- 
tal. Ross'  Kcniplcs,  daily  combated  \)y 
Cockhuvn,  yieliled  to  tiie  t'orce  of  circum- 
Btanccs.  Victory,  fiinic,  plunder,  pmnu)- 
tion,  titles,  liouors,  dis!;race  if  he  retired 
after  having  advanced  so  far  a. id  so  well, 
nombined  to  (|U(dl  tlu;  judicious  scruples  of 
a  bravo  youn}jj  general,  accustomed  to  obey 
but  not  to  lead,  who  iiad  never  before  borne 
the  responsi))ility  of  a  military  enterprise, 
of  which  the  personal  dangers  were  nothing 
compared  to  the  public  amenability,  which 
was  a  burden  assumed  with  much  hesitation . 
Mr.  Gallatin's  alarm  from  Europe,  re- 
ceived the  20th  June,  1814,  was  preceded 
by  a  stream  of  turbid  disquietudes  by  every 
arrival,  continually  perplexing  the  solitary 
confidence  of  the  seat  of  government.  At  a 
cabinet  council,  on  the  7th  June,  the  Pre- 
sident called  on  the  Secretary  of  War  for  a 
report  of  the  regular  troops  and  militia  in 
the  fifth  military  district,  of  which  Wash- 
ington was  part.  Tiie  total  was  but  tw^ 
thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  en- 
listed men,  stationed  at  Norfolk,  Baltimore, 
St.  Mary's  and  Fort  Warburton,  or  Wash- 
ington, six  miles  below  Alexandria,  on  the 
Potomac ;  and  one  company  of  marines  at  the 
city  of  Washington.  The  whole  enlisted 
army  of  the  United  Sfates,  on  the  1st  July, 


States  had  been  extrenioly  and  fortunatoly, 
if  not  ]>rovidently  aiul  wisely,  absteniidus 
not  only  of  alliance  but  even  amity  witiitli(! 
innnense  Emperor  of  the  Frendi,  wIiomo 
prodigious  dli'tatorship  l)rok(i  down  by  his 
abdication,  at  Funtainblcau,  the  Gtii  April, 
after  the  alli(Ml  coni|uerors  entered  Paris, 
tiie  8lst  March,  IS  14,  and  seduced  some 
of  his  marshals.  Thi  heart  of  all  people 
is  with  hero(^s:  and  that  of  the  American 
as  well  as  the  French  natiiin  was  with  tlio 
child  and  champion  of  eciuality,  though  ho 
trampled  upon  liberty,  by  marvellous  acts 
of  greatness  and  renown  impressing  his 
image  on  popular  admiration  and  personal 
regard.  I'lie  American  sensation  of  his 
downfall  was  disappointment  to  the  war  par- 
ty, delight  to  the  peace  party.  When  con- 
quest and  treason,  civil  and  military,  found 
their  way  into  the  French  capital,  an  old 
soldier.  Marshal  Scrurier,  then  governor  of 
the  Hospital  of  Invalids,  hastily  collected 
the  flags  suspended  from  its  glorious  dome, 
trophies  of  innumerable  victories,  commit- 
ted them  to  the  flames  and  threw  their  ashes 
into  the  Seine.  His  nephew  and  sole  male 
heir,  the  French  minister  at  Washington, 
was  the  only  one  of  all  the  foreign  ministers 
of  Napoleon  whom  Louis  the  Eighteenth  did 
not  displace.     His   Secretary  of  Legation, 


1814,  amounted  to  no  more  than  thirty-one  ]  Ueorge  Caraman,  son  of  the  Puke  of  Cara^ 

'  man,  who  adhered  to  the  dethroned  Bour- 
bons in  all  their  hard  fortunes,  on  the  llUh 
June,  1814,  by  M.  Scrurier's  direction,  pub- 
lished in  the  National  Intelligencer,  a  call 
on  all  French  sulijects  in  tlic  United  States 

leaf's  Point,  one  of  the  alluvial  flats  of  the  [to  repair  to  their  consuls,  and  "give   ad- 


thousand  five  Inindred  and  three  regular  sol 
diers,  twenty-seven  thousand  and  ten  effect- 
ives.    Five    hundred   recruited    in  North 
Carolina  by  Lituitenant-Cohmel  Clinch,  en- 
camped for  drill  and  discipline  at  Green- 


city  of  Washington,  were  marched  to  the 
northern  frontier,  on  the  15th  June,  1814: 
a  force  that  might  have  saved  from  capture 
a  city,  slumbering  in  false  security,  where 
the  Secr(;tary  of  AVar  rebuked  all  apprehen- 
sion of  its  danger  as  idle  dreams. 

Two  days  after  the  cabinet  council,  on 
the  'Jth  June,  1814,  the  royal  French  brig- 
of-war,  Olivier  (Olive  Branch),  arrived  at 
New  York,  under  the  white  flag  and  cock- 
ades of  the  departcil  Bourlions,  for  more 
than  twenty  years  driven  almost  from  the 


hesion  to  the  great  revolution,  by  which  the 
white  cockade  was  thenceforth  the  rallying 
sign  of  all  friends  of  the  throne  and  their 
country." 

A  semi-official  article  in  the  National  In- 
tolligeiicerofthe  18th  June,  1814,  announced 
that  "Bonaparte  ha<l  been  put  down,  not  by 
the  Bourbons,  but  the  revolutionary  party 
which  put  him  up.  On  the  friends  of  liber- 
ty, in  whatever  country,  he  had  no  claims, 
but  was  an  object  of  their  jealousy  and  mis- 
trust.    Weak   at   sea,  his  p(dicy  was   tiio 


earth,  unknown  on  the  waters,  now  s(>nding   rights  of  neutral  nations.    Every  power  felt 


dispatches  to  their  minister  at  Washington, 
that  the  child  and  cham[iion  of  French 
liberty,  e<iuality  and  (Miipire,  was  over- 
thrown ;  and  the  United  States,  without 
any  counteracting  pow(>r,  influence  or  sym- 
pathy in  the  world,  left  single-handeit  to 
make  head  against  the  gigantic  means, 
vengeance  and  aggrandizenient  of  Great 
Britain.  The  royal  French  brig-  d-war  sa- 
luted Castle  Williams,  at  New  \ork,  with 
twenty-one  guns,  which  wen>  r(  turned  liy 
eight(!en;  and  at  tiie  caiinoiv  <  .nouth  the 
American  Republic  coiifi'ss(>d  Mio  restora- 
tion of  a  king  iiy  divine  right,  proclaiming 
that,  during  his  long  exile,  he  had  never 
CMsed  to  veiirn. 


and  abhorreil  the  usurpations  of  England. 
To  the  United  States  he  never  was  an  object 
of  alarm,  who  so  keenly  felt  his  depreda- 
tifms,  that  nrach  hesitation  was  experienced 
as  to  the  c'/urse  to  pursue.  It  would  have 
been  folly  to  go  to  war  with  a  power  which 
had  not  a  ship  at  sea.  We  pursued  a  course 
from  which,  whatever  may  be  the  alarm 
which  now  agitates  weak  nerves,  'ho  h'*"- 
piest  results  are  to  be  anticipated."  In 
these  cantious  terms  IMailison's  ailministra- 
tion  vindicat(>(l  their  mcdinin  policy,  steer- 
ing warily  between  im]iuted  Irouch  influ- 
ence and  Vlnglish  enmity.  On  the 2Uth  June, 
1 814,  tlie  "  delivery  of  I'lurojje  from  the  y(d<o 
(^f  military  despotism  was  celebrated  in  the 


The  executive  government  of  the  United  i  blockaded,  and  almost  besieged  by  Engliali 


Cnxr.  VIII.] 


DKV  iSTATION  ANNOU NCED. 


103 


1  fortunntoly, 
y,  abstoniidu.s 
.iiiity  with  till) 
rendi,  avIioso 
I  down  ]>y  liis 
hi'  0th  Ajiril, 
iitorod  Paris, 
!<'<lii('0(l  Home 
of  nil  pcoi^lc 
ho  Amorifiin 
WHS  with  tlie 
ty,  though  iio 
irvellous  nots 
iprcssiiip;  his 
and  perHonul 
ntion    of  his 

0  the  war  par- 

Whon  con- 
lilitary,  found 
[ipital,  an  old 
n  governor  of 
tiiy  collected 
lorious  dome, 
iries,  conimit- 
!w  their  ashes 
ind  solo  male 
Washington, 
^ign  ministers 
lighteenth  did 
of  Legation, 
)'.ikc  of  Cara- 
hronod  Bour- 
s,  on  the  llUh 
irection,  puh- 
lencer,  a  call 
Jnitcd  States 
id  "  give  ad- 
hy  which  the 

1  the  rallying 
inc  and  their 

National  In- 
14,  announced 
down,  not  by 
tioiiary  party 
ends  of  liher- 
id  no  claims, 
nusy  and  mis- 
licy  w'.is  tiio 
ry  power  felt 

of  England, 
was  an  object 
his  depreda- 
s  experienced 
t  would  have 
power  which 
^'ued  a  course 
)e  the  alarm 
ves,  ihe  h""- 
iljated."  In 
s  administra- 
policy,  stecr- 
I'rench  influ- 
he2UthJune, 
from  the  yoke 
brated  in  the 
d  by  Englisli 


enemies,  city  of  New  York,  by  one  of  the  ear- 
liest representatives  of  thellnited  States  in 
France,  a  bold  statesman,  orator  and  founder 
of  American  government,  Gou'erneur  Mor- 
ris, a  stately  and  imposing  "d  inge,  whose 
powdered  hair,  wooden  leg,  and  com- 
manding manners,  figured  both  in  Europe 
and  America.  His  discourse,  of  much  pub- 
lic sensation,  affirming  kings'  divine  right, 
began,  "  'Tis  done ;  the  long  agony  is  over, 
Ti-ance  reposes  in  the  arms  of  her  legiti- 
mate prince:"  repose  on  the  subjugation  of 
France  and  overthrow  of  Napoleon,  which 
liberated  the  towering  power  of  ■''•eat  Bri- 
tain, and  was  strained  by  Castlcreagh  to 
vimlictivo  and  inhuman  hostilities^  against 
the  United  States.  English  misapprehension 
is  natural,  inveterate  and  intractable,  that 
for  America  between  England  and  France, 
not  to  be  Englisli  i,.  to  be  French,  liut  so 
strong  is  the  feeling  of  kindred  in  American 
filiation,  the  colonial  veneration  of  offsjiring 
for  patristic  sujiremacy,  that  American  im- 
partiality between  Enj^lish  anl  French  is 
condemned  as  unnatural  !■•,  Americans  as 
well  as  English.  Al'.tri.icd  by  ev(!ry  gust 
from  the  East,  aft(»r  the  conrpn^st  of  France, 
Madison,  disconcerti'd,  l)eheld  the  world  at 
jioace,  and  Great  Uritain  at  the  head  of  it. 
Yet,  from  that  overwhelming  pacification 
]>ritish  grandeur  began  its  decline,  sinking 
uniler  exertions,  debts,  taxes  and  triumphs, 
such  as  freedom,  commerce  and  credit  only 
Could  extort  from  factitious  powov  ,n,,i  iVom 
tiiat  jeopardy  these  rnitcd  States  have  been 
ever  since  ascending  in  jiower,  charac- 
ter, resources  and  iiigli-toned  nationality. 
Dread  ,)f  French  despotism  was  Madison's 
sentiment;  though  his  unwarlike  nature  was 
disturlied  by  a  crisis,  unexpected  and  fear- 
ful cast  on  his  administration,  without 
funds,  commerce,  a  small  army,  scarcely 
any  navy.  Europciin  revolutions  of  em- 
pires  disheartened  his  adherents,  anil  nois- 
ed his  ("pponents  to  second  the  En^-'ish 
clamor  tli  it  jMadison,  the  tool  of  Bona- 
parte, must  be  deposed  like  him,  some 
American  Elba  be  his  exile,  the  conquer- 
ed portion  of  New  England  annexed  to 
C'Hiiidrt,  of  which  it  was  part,  the  French 
fraudulent  possession  of  Enuisiana  restored 
to  Sjiain,  to  wiioni  it  belonged,  and  these 
terms  of  peace  dictated  in  the  inetro{)olis 
of  the  Uniied  States,  as  the  legitimate  re- 
storations of  Europe  had  been  in  the  ca]iital 
of  rev(dutionary  France,  first  the  ally,  then 
imitator  and  finally  instigator  of  rebel- 
lious, unnatural  America. 

Under  the  rank  growth  of  universal 
menace,  apprehensirtns  and  forebodings 
sprang  up,  the  s]iecilic  and  exotic  terror 
that  the  metropolitan  wilderness  was  in 
jieril:  affright  more  strange  and  unwel- 
come than  thatby  which  AVidlington  strives 
to  convince  England  that  steam  exposes  j 
London  to  French  capture.  Large  military  j 
embarkations    fur   America   from    Spain,  { 


France,  Ireland.  England :  the  great  eni»tain 
AN'ellington,  or  his  greatest  lieutenant.  Lcird 
Hill,  said  to  be  coming  to  command  tluni  ; 
increased  na\al  s((uadrons;  an  American 
seaman.  Admiral  Sir  Isaac  CofHii.  to  take 
charge  of  the  British  fleet  on  Lake  Ontario  ; 
armies  and  navies  shooting  like  Ijaleful 
meteors  across  the  Atlantic  in  rapid  transit 
from  the  Old  Worli',  restored  to  ancient  li- 
mits by  kingdoms  and  legitimate  principles 
to  reform,  rtnHilonize,  and  refetter  the  new. 

Transeenilant  contcm|pt  for  this  country, 
cou|)led  with  malicious  vengeance  to  be 
inflicted  for  hostilities  eoninienced  by  order 
of  the  French  usurper,  and  naval  triumphs 
to  be  obliteratcid  in  Ijlood,  were  the  dogs 
of  war  let  loos(!  from  Eurojie  on  America. 
Admiral  Warren  told  our  American  niinis- 
i  !r,  I^evitt  Harris,  in  London,  that  the  orders 
of  Admiral  CodiraiK*  wore  very  different 
from  his  ;  and  1814  was  to  far  exceed  LHlo, 
in  hostilities.  Coclirane,  therefore,  jn-e- 
faced  the  sack  of  Washington  by  ofiiicial 
announcement  to  our  government  from  his 
Britannic  ^Majesty's  ship  'J'onnant,  in  the 
i'atuxent,  witliin  a  day's  march,  and  almost 
within  cannon  sound  of  AVashington  ;  that, 
contrary,  as  his  oflicial  letter  stated,  if  it 
did  not  boast,  to  the  usages  of  civilized  war, 
all  the  assailable  places  (ui  the  coast  were 
to  be  laid  waste,  which  inhuman  threat 
was  lu'ouglit  forth  in  fraud,  the  18th  of 
August,  the  day  bc^fore  tlio  liiitish  army 
landed  at  Benedict.  Fov  v'ochrane's  official 
letter  was  not  sent  iisliore  from  his  ship  till 
ten  days  after  its  ('ate  on  the  28th,  tben 
in  the  envelope  of  antnher  letter  from 
Admiral  Codringion  to  Captain  Gordon,  to 
be  nientio'.cd  hereafter.  When  landed, 
the  letter  was  not  sent  by  a  flag  of  truce, 
or  by  any  regular  method  of  communi- 
cation, but  merely  given  to  an  idle  person 
who  happened  to  be  on  the  Patuxent 
shore,  from  wlnuii,  through  various  acci- 
dental channels,  it  found  its  way  not  till 
the  ;}lst  of  August,  to  the  departniont  of 
State,  a  week  after  the  outrage  it  announced 
was  perpetrated,  and  ten  days  after  the 
perpetrators  returned  from  burning  Wash- 
ingtiui  had  re-embarked  on  board  Cocli- 
rane's  fleet  at  Benedict.  By  such  a  fraud 
was  that  barbarous  notice  brought  to  its 
address. 

Beleagured,  menaced,  perhaps  terrified, 
but  unsubdued  and  constant  in  his  meek 
fortitude,  President  Madison  convened  his 
cabinet  for  lugubrious  consultation  how 
to  sav(!  the  seat  of  governnicnt.  The  Ame- 
rican C!ongrc>8,  driven  from  captured 
IMiiladeljihia  to  Yorktown ;  New  York, 
Charleston  and  Savannah  garrisoned  by 
British  troo])s.  revolution  precedents  of 
present  dangers,  forced  themselves  on  the 
recollection  of  Madison,  Monroe  and  Arm- 
strong, who  had  experienced  what  were 
now  again  to  be  apprehended:  our  lionn 
iind  honor,  the  national  capital  and  clia- 


:i ; 


■:-ia 


164 


PREPARATIOITS. 


[1314. 


il 


'■J 


■'■:■' 


nictor  in  danp;or  of  tho  linnfs  nntl  torohos 
of  ruthl(^sH  onoiniofl,  scoriiiii;»  thn  liuvs  of 
•war  mill  Imtinji;  tlio  lil)ortios  of  Aiin>ric'n. 
Scrono,  liowevcr  nliirmoil,  tlin  Prcsiilontnd- 
journcd  tlio  Oiiliinotun  tliu  Ith  of  July,  1><14, 
to  moot  liimasiiin  at  tlinncr,  six  wiisliis  wont, 
in  tho  frcotlom  of  conviviality  to  rosunK!  de- 
lihoration.  Tho  rosolvos  of  that  caltinot 
council  wore,  at  least  in  theory,  coninien- 
Burato  with  tho  emern;enoy :  thiM-reation  of 
a  metropolitan  military  district,  th(!  tenth, 
to  consist  of  tho  city,  northern  A'ir-rinia, 
and  Maryland ;  a  requisition  for  nii;ety- 
throo  thousand  five  humlred  militia  to  he 
hold  ready ;  fifteen  thousand  of  them,  if 
nocessary,  to  ho  forthwith  must(!red  into 
.  Bcrvice,  anil  emhodiod  with  about  ono  thou- 
sand regulars,  the  thirty-sixth  and  thirty- 
eighth  regiments  of  infantry ;  Harney's 
flotilla  men,  a  comjiany  of  marines,  two 
troops  of  eav.ilry,  at  <.'arlisle,  not  yet  iK.rsed, 
a  sprinkling  of  artillerists  at  Baltimore, 
Annapolis,  and  Vort  AVashington,  scattered 
over  an  area  of  fifty  or  sixty  miles.  Tiiere 
wore  no  funds  ;  though  the  city  banks  prof- 
ferod  a  few  hundred  thousand  dollars  of 
their  depreciated,  ami  in  a  very  few  days 
unconvertible  paper,  as  with  tho  fall  of 
"Washington  all  banks  south  of  New  Eng- 
land stoi>p<;d  payments  in  coin.  'J'lieve  were 
110  rifles  ;  not  flints  enough  ;  American  gun- 
powder was  inferior  to  English ;  there  was 
not  a  cannon  monntoil  fur  defence  of  tho 
seat  of  govornmei\t ;  not  a  regular  .soldier 
there;  not  a  fortress  breastwork  or  mili- 
tary fortification  of  any  kind  within  twelve 
miles.  The  neighboring  militia  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia  wer(!  worn  down  by  disastrous 
and  mortifying  service,  routed,  and  disluMirt- 
ened.  The  propiu'tion  of  regular  troops,  all 
of  them  mei'o  recruits,  never  tri(Ml  in  fire,  was 
like  that  of  coin  to  ]>aper  in  tho  wretched 
currency,  so  small  an  infusion  of  precious 
metal,  that  there  wan  scarcely  any  sub- 
stance to  rely  upon.  These  were  disad- 
vantages of  a  contest  with  enemies  wing- 
ed with  ufjifinitous  shipping,  by  whicli 
a  few  thousand  soldiers,  speedily  trans- 
ported from  place  to  place,  could  str-ke 
■with  the  force  of  superior  numlier.s  wher- 
ever least  expected,  and  retire  before  new 
levies  could  be  collected  to  meet  tluMU  ;  for 
such  incursive  naval  anoainents  aro  as 
formidable,  as  they  are  U)iiit  for  j)oraianent 
conquests. 

General  Armstrong,  the  war  Secretary. 
an  old  soldier  we'll  infonned  in  the  prac- 
tice and  .•.cijuco  of  war,  M-as  not  wanting 
tonr"  '  implianco  with  theros(dutionsof 

tho  c  of  the  first  of -July.     On  the 

anniv  ,  y  day  of  that  month  and  year,  ! 
as  if  th.;  ;th  of  July  would  consecrate  the  i 
call  and  organize  the  force,  in  tho  midst  of  I 
the  national  festivities  his  order  issued  ' 
for  tho  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  mili- 1 
tia  to  be  ready,  and  the  fifteen  tiiousand  to  i 
te  soon  embodied.    But  uoitlicr  the  passive  ! 


many  nor  the  active  few  turned  out  or  even 
)rej>ared  for  it;  nearly  all  renmincd  at 
lome,  and  the  whole  demonstration  ap- 
peared only  in  the  papers  that  published 
it.  Of  the  five  thousand  required  at  once 
from  I'ennsylvania,noton(>coulil  be  ordered 
out,  owing  to  remediless  defect  in  the  law 
of  that  State.  From  (Jeneral  Winder's  de- 
lav  in  giving  notice  to  the  Executive  of 
Virginia,  it  was  only  five  days  before 
Washington  fell,  that  the  two  thousand  of 
that  State  were  summoned,  too  late  for 
being  mustered.  Of  the  Marylanders  only 
two  of  tho  six  thoiisand  ever  a])pearcd ; 
most  of  them  volunteers  from  IJaltimore, 
who  did  not  reacdi  IJladensburg  till,  much 
jaded  and  disorganized,  the  day  before 
their  defeat,  witli  a  fi'w  hundred  from  An- 
napidis,  who  arrived  less  than  a  half  an 
hour  befori!  the  battle  began,  fatigued  by 
afi)rce('  niarcdi  of  twelve  miles  in  excessive 
heat,  that  morning,  Imrried  to  the  toji  of 
a  high  hill,  a  mile  lieyinid  the  front  rank, 
there  to  Hank  Barney,  and  as  ho  ofticially 
reported  in  a  few  minutes,  to  his  great 
mortification,  making  no  resistance,  but 
giving  a  fire;  or  two  antl  retreating. 

The  officer  sel(;cted  to  command  the  new 
military  district  was  (ieneral  Winder,  late- 
ly exchangeil  and  returned  from  (^ueliec, 
where  he  had  been  kept  a  prisoner  after  his 
unlucky,  if  not  discreditalile  ca]iture  in 
June,  lSl;{.  Being  a  relative  of  Levin 
Winder,  tho  (Jovernor  of  Maryland,  federal 
governor  of  a  federal  State,  Mr.  Madison 
a-i<l  INIr.  Monroe  decuned  it  politic  to  con- 
(Mliato  opposition  fiy  appointing  him  to  that 
responsible  and  arduous  command,  rather 
than  (ieneral  Moses  I'orter,  a  veteran  sol- 
dier comniamliiig  at  Xorfolk,  who  was  pre- 
ferred by  (Ieneral  Armstrong,  ami  who 
would  not  have  been  detfUTcd,  like  Winder, 
from  exposing  the  lives  and  limbs  of  his 
neighbors  and  friends  in  battle  with  tho 
vagaliond  mercenaries  (d"the  English  army, 
which  Gencn-al  Windin'  felt  as  a  cruel  ne- 
cessity to  be  humanelv  avoided,  if  possi))le. 
On  the  '27th  of  June,  1^14,  (Jeneral  Winder 
arrived  at  Washington  with  (i(>iieral  Wil- 
kinson, accidentally  his  companion,  es- 
tranged from  the  ['resident  and  Secretary  of 
War,  who  urginl  that  the  total  unprepared- 
ness  of  the  capital,  the  A'tat  of  its  ca))ture, 
the  depreciation  of  AiiKU'ican  character 
abroad,  and  aggravation  of  American  divi- 
sions at  home,  would  imluco  tlie  enemy  to 
attempt  it.  and  suggest(>d  a  camp  of  ol)scr- 
vation  and  practice;  three  or  four  thousand 
men  encampcMl  near  the  city,  which  Win- 
der likewise  desired  f  but  the  Secretary  of 
War  objected  to,  because  he  considered  mi- 
litia only  available  on  sudden  emergencies, 
and  the  expense  of  their  being  encamped 
till  needed,  would  bo  an  onerous  charge  on 
an  (Mupty  treasury.  Winder's  was  an  ar- 
duous perplexity  and  harassing  task;  to 
arm  and  fortify  a   military  district  with- 


[1814. 

cd  out  OP  oven 
remained  at 
)nstrati()n  ap- 
liat  jtuMislied 
nirfd  at  onon 
iild  lieordovod 
»'t  in  the  law 
1  Winder'H  de- 
Kxecutivo  of 
days  lieforo 
1  thousand  of 
,  too  lato  for 
ylandors  only 
.or  a])i)oared ; 
ni  Haltimoro, 
wjr  till,  much 
D  (hiy  1)0  fore 
red  from  An- 
an  a  half  an 
I,  fatijfued  hy 
s  in  excesHivo 
to  the  to|i  of 
10  front  rank, 
*  ho  oftieially 
to  Ilia  groat 
>sistance,  but 
it  inn;. 

nand  tho  now 
Winder,  late- 
from  (^uidtoo, 
loner  after  his 
3  cajituro  in 
vo  of  Levin 
viand,  federal 
Mr.  Madison 
iilitio  to  eon- 
g  him  to  that 
mand,  ratlior 
I  veteran  sol- 
who  was  jire- 
ig,  and  who 
like  Winder, 
,  limlis  of  his 
,ttlo  with  the 
"]nj^lisharmy, 
i  a  cruel  ne- 
d,  if  possible. 
neral  Winder 
(Jeneral  Wil- 
injianion,  es- 
il  Secretary  of 
I  unprepared- 
f  its  oaptnr(>, 
vn  character 
merican  divi- 
thc  onemy  to 
nip  of  obsor- 
oiir  thousand 
,  which  AViu- 
So(!retary  of 
uisiderod  nii- 
ouierg(}ncios, 
ij?  encamped 
lus  oharjre  on 
s  was  an  ar- 
ng  task ;  to 
listrict  with- 


CnAP.  VIII.] 


ALARM  AT  WASHINGTON. 

—  ♦ 


1C5 


out  magazines  or  troops,  controlled   l)y  a  |  next  morning.      In  tho  afternoon  of  that 
cabinet  of  older  Ho'diers  than  himsoU,  not  |  day,  the  ildth,  two   regiments    luimberiiif; 
ouinc^iilent  in  their  own  opinions,  whom  it        ' 
would  be  disrespectful  in  him  toi'ontradii.*,  | 


II  opi 
in  hi 
and  almost  insubordinate  to  overrule ;  to 
lead  uiiiliscipliued  neighbors  to  batths  in 
whose  martial  prowess  he  could  not  confide, 
(if  whoso  blood  he  was  humanely  sj)aring, 
overlooked  liy  several  suiK-riors,  and  dis- 
tracted by  a  host  of  advisers.  William 
Pinkiiey  (described  General  AVinder  in  tho 
dif*graceful  commencement  o*"  the  rout  at 
lihidensburg  as  "manifesting  tho  courage 
that  became  a  soldier  and  a  gontlonian." 
lUtt  in  addition  to  that  courage,  which  no 
ene  denied  (ienoral  AVinder,  there  ■were 
wanting  the  strenuous  fortitude  and  self- 
possession,  contiilenco  in  himself  and  in  his 
troops,  if  led  to  victory  or'  death  by  a 
(■(anmander  unscrupuhnis  of  bloodshed  for 
either.  (Jeneral  Armstrong,  tho  Secretary  if 
AVar,  oldest,  if  not  only  soldier  in  t!.:;  ;'<i- 
ministration,  who  had  served  long  and  with 
distinction,  overruled  in  liis  choice  of  a 
(ienoral  to  command  tho  new  military  dis- 
trict, M'as  furthermore  reduced  to  mere  ad- 
visory authority  by  written  direction  from 
the  I'rcsid(>iit,  as  early  as  the  loth  of  Au- 
gust, that  the  Secretary  of  AVar  should 
give  no  order  to  any  ofticor  commanding  a 
district  without  previously  receiving  the 
Executive  sanction,  Armstrong  never  en- 
joyed Madison's  contiilonco,  with  whom 
Monroe  was  in  friendly  intimacy  :  and  ac- 
companied, superintended,  and  disrangod 
AVinder's  movements,  while  Armstrong  was 
reduced  to  a  cipher.  AN'indor,  overwhelmed 
})y  the  complication  and  magnitude  of  his 
duties,  fell  behindhand  with  his  ofHcial 
correspondence.  His  orders  to  tho  govern- 
ors of  Pennsylvania  and  A'irginia  for  their 
contingents  of  militia,  were  not  given  till 
it  Avas  too  late  to  comply  with  them,  and 
an  order  from  the  AVar  Hepartmont  to 
Gen.  AA'inder,  when  liut  forty  miles  distant, 
was  not  received  by  him  for  nearly  three 
weeks  after  it  issued,  owing,  as  was  said,  to 
the  continual  movements  to  which  ho  was 
sulijected  from  place  to  jdace.  I'rom  first 
to  last  the  elements  of  the  tenth  military 
district  were  out  of  order. 

On  the  morning  of  Thursdaj',  tho  18th  of 
August,  1814,  before  Cochrano's  official  an- 
nouncement of  that  date  was  sent  on  its 
way  to  AVashington,  that,  regardless  of  ci- 
vilized warfare,  his  orders  and  movements 
were  for  indiscriminate  destruction,  intelli- 
gence arrived  there  by  express,  from  our 
observatory  at  Point  Look  Out,  where  the 
liiver  Potomac  enters  ('hesapcako  Bay,  that 
the  'momy  wore  coming!  Late  that  night  of 
dismay,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  fir;it 
Columbliin  brigade  was  ordered  to  assemble 
it  on  the  bank  of  the  'J'ibor  imxt  evening. 
But  when  paraded  accordingly,  the  troops 
were  dolicient  in  so  many  essential  articles, 
that  they  were  unavoidably  dismissed  till 


consolidated  rather  more  than  a  thousaiul 
men,  without  baggage  or  stores,  flints 
enough,  or  any  rilles  for  the  riHonion,  700 
v(dunte(!rs,  tho  rest  drafts,  were  mandied  a 
few  miles  toAvards  the  enemy,  and  slo[it  on 
tho  ground,  without  tents,  food,  or  any 
other  comlortabh!  ]irovision  for  their  short, 
hot,  inglorious  campaign.  'J'lus  Secretary 
of  State  preceded  them,  (;scorted  by  a  troop 
of  horse,  ree(Uiiioitered  the  enemy  as  well  as 
he  could,  and  returned,  re)  orting  six  tlu>u- 
sand  men  debarked.  Sunday,  tho  21st,  tho 
volunteers'  and  militia  were  mustered  into 
service;  and,  by  the  22d,  AVinder  was  at  the 
head  of  ;i,12()0  men  in  arms,  with  soventeon 
pieces  of  artillery,  induilinga  few  troops  of 
cavalry.  That  day  an  advance  corjis  was 
constituted,  uSO  regulars,  und<'r  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Scott,  of  two  troops  of  United  States 
dragoons,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Laval, 
and  three  select  com}ianios  of  volantecr 
artillery  and  infantry,  commanded  by  Ma- 
jor Peter;  which  vanguard  was,  for  tho 
first  time,  brought  into  the  sight  of,  but  not 
allowed,  though  tho  men  were  eager  for 
action,  to  get  into  collision  with  the  Britisli, 
which  Colonel  Monroe  discountenanced, 
and  General  AVinder  deemed  too  great  a 
risk  with  untried  troops,  only  three  dajs 
from  home,  unorganized,  their  officeis 
unpracticed — a  crowd  of  advisers  rather 
than  an  army  of  soldiers.  The  enoifij-,  who, 
with  doubt  and  hesitation,  had  marched 
from  Benedict  to  Nottingham,  with  increaf> 
ed  diffidence,  thence  were  marching  to 
Marlborough,  whom  tho  least  check  w(.uUl 
have  turned  back  to  their  shipping,  which 
Boss  left  with  groat  uneasiness,  were  al- 
lowed, without  cavalry,  and  scarcely  »;  can- 
non, to  move  forward,  unresisted,  flushed 
with  passive  victory,  by  unmolested  pro- 
gress, through  a  well-seitlod  country, 
abounding  in  defiles,  ravines,  streams, 
woods,  and  natural  obstacles,  of  which 
their  antagonists  took  no  advantage,  but 
fell  btick,  encouraging  Cockburn  to  urge 
Boss  onward,  and  discouraging  raw  troops, 
disa])pointod  of  even  a  trial  for  exploit. 

This  first  inauspicious  hostile  confrontar 
tion  was  soon  made  worse  by  more  striking 
misadventure.  As  Boss  advanced,  and 
AVinder  retreated,  perplexed  whether  An- 
napolis or  Alexandria  was  tho  hostile  aim, 
which  had  not  then  settled  on  AVashington, 
orders  despatched  thence  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  wore  executed,  which  astonish- 
ed both  armies.  Before  a  man  marched 
from  the  capital,  in  tho  first  paroxysm  of 
a  long  fit  of  trepidation,  an  order,  on  the 
20th,  to  Barney,  preceded  the  troops: 
"  Should  the  enemy  dash  for  this  place, 
(h-fifroj/  the  Jlofillii,  and  proceed  with  tho 
men  to  this  place."  On  receipt  of  which 
positive  command  of  self-destruction,  Bar- 
ney prepared  his  barges  for  their  late,  by 


^^■■■i. 


'V;'-'.yY,  i 


hi 

I*   * 

1.'  i.  . 


■  -i  ■ 


fl  • 


"> 

r' 

'1 

i?'. 

1  Mr 

■• 

'\      Ain  ..■ 

J 

1 

iii' 

106  MARCH  TO  W 

— ■*■ 
leaving  six  nion  in  oacli  to  Mow  it  up,  and 
with  tho  (ttlior  HH)  joiiiiil  Wiiidcr,  tiikinj: 
witU  iiiiii  into  the  army,  tiic  cxci-utisf  iiii<l 
univorsiil  (Ircinl  that  the  British  wcro  irro- 
pi.'stilih\  With  •'iOO.  niiiiiy  of  tlii'in  not 
ovon  watcrnuMi,  in  fourti'en  upon  row  iioats, 
t>n(l  ono  toniU'r,  lio  iiad  lon^  cliuloil  and 
worst(ul47  nhipsof  tiio  lino,  fri;;ateH,  .HJoups, 
and  brij;s-of-war,  honib-vcssois,  tend'  rn, 
and  transportM,  manned  liy  H,(KK)  Uriiish 
marinori,  rcinl'ori'tHl  iattorly  hy  4,(llMI  vote- 
ran  troops,  wiioni,  witli  artillery,  of  wlii  li 
tliey  iiad  nont!.  and  covorod  Ity  Wip''..-r'H 
2,o<)0  men,  ho  ini<;ht  liavo  kept  at  hay,  till 
Uritish  diffidonco  Hunk  to  despoiidoney  ami 
American  roso  to  hojio,  iJut,  while  onr 
foreo  waH  rotroatinj;  and  their's  piirsnin<2; 
thn  dosortod  Hotilhi.  its  explosions,  as  Imrf^e 
after  hargo  was  set  lire  to,  rent  the  air, 
confound  inj^  one  army  with  incn^ased  oha- 
griii,  and  choerinjf  tho  other  with  renewoil 
ussuraneo.  When  Cortez  hurned  his  vos- 
s«ds,  how  different  tho  motive  from  this  sa- 
crifice to  despair!  despair  commnnieiited 
from  London  to  Wsishin^ton,  from  AVash- 
in!j;ton  tlirouiihont  tho  shores  of  tho  C'hcsii- 
pcaki'!  despair,  whieh,  from  the  iirst  tid- 
ings of  alarm,  si^i/ed  like  a  jda;;uo  upon 
the  government,  distraoted  its  actions,  and 
paralyzed  its  instruments ! 

Major-tJeneral  Van  Ness,  commander  of 
tho  division  of  militia  of  tho  District  of 
Columhia,  a  gentleman  of  largo  jiroperty 
iit  Washington,  president  of  tho  hank  of 
tho  metropolis,  naturally  extrem(dy  scdicit- 
ous  to  ward  off  the  Mow  he  foretold,  a  man 
vigorous  of  liody  and  spirit,  had  appealed 
to  tho  President  against  hoing  superseded 
1)y  (Jen.  AVinder,  who,  as  hrigadier-goneral, 
was  his  inferior  in  rank,  and  strongly  remon- 
strated against  what  he  pronounced  injus- 
tice. General  Wilkinson,  too,  proff(,'reil  his 
services,  if  his  arrest  could  bo  suspended 
for  the  o(!oasion,  to  take  command  of  tho 
militia,  and  load  them  against  tho  enemy 
in  tho  place  of  his  birth,  whose  localities 
wore  familiar  to  him.  JJut  neither  of  those 
applications  was  countenanced.  Van  Ness 
resigned,  and  served  in  tho  l)attlo  as  a  vo- 
lunteer. Wilkinson's  military  oxpta-ience, 
and  unquostionud  bravery,  might  have  boon 
important,  if  ho  had  tendered  them  in  that 
ca])acity. 

Tho  llotilla  in  flanios,  and  AVinder  re- 
treating, still  Ross  doubted;  there  were 
chances  still  for  Washington.  It  rcnpiired 
all  Oockburn'a  reckless  hardihood, contcMupt 
for  tho  country,  and  lust  for  j)lunder,  to 
overcome  the  general's  scruples,  anxiously 
discussed  all  the  night  of  tho  22d  and 
morning  of  the  2.'id,  at  Marlborough  ;  and, 
as  (Jockburn  afterwards  confessed,  at 
AVashington,  the  ljalan<'Owas  at  last  struck, 
not  like  that  of  the  Gaul  at  Rome,  by  the 
sword,  but  by  booty.  "  Tho  government," 
said  he,  "  will  ransom  their  public  build- 
inga  and  homec,  and  wo  shall  be  enriched 


iVSIIINGTON'. 


[1814. 


by  contribution  :"  wliiidi  sordid  calculation 
eiirried  tho  final  resolve  to  mareh  on 
Washington.  "  As  general  (d'  brigade  un- 
der Lonl  AVellington,"  says  the  Knglisli 
mirrativo,  "  (Jeneral  Ross  had,  no  donbt, 
learned  tho  art  of  war  in  an  excellent 
sclniol:  but  only  to  obey,  with  no  nKU'ij 
responsibility  than  a  coloiud  commanding 
a  battalion.  Hut,  at  the  hoiid  of  an  inde- 
pendent army,  upon  his  determination  de- 
pend, ho  feels,  not  "lily  the  success,  but 
tl'.o  lives  and  safety  ol  the  troops.  This  dilK- 
denco  (buieral  Ross  exhibited  in  the  loss, 
first,  of  three  hours  in  Nottingham,  and, 
again,  of  (tight  at  Marllxirough.  Tho  truth 
is,  that  till'  ciijtture  of  Was/iini/fon  witi  not 
t/if  itri'jinal  itxJ  of  the  vxiwililion.  To  de- 
stroy the  flotilla  was  tho  S(de  o}))ect  of  the 
disembarkati(m,  and,  liut  for  the  iii.sti<ja- 
tioun  of  Ailiiiirdl  Coclxburii,  who  accompa- 
nied the  army,  tho  capital  of  i\w  enemy 
would  jirobably  have  escaped  its  visitation. 
It  was  ho  who,  on  the  retreat  of  the  flotilla 
from  Nottingham,  urged  the  necessity  of  a 
jiursuit;  and  it  was  he  who  also  .s-i///</^'.v/<y/ 
the  attack  on  AVashington,  and,  finally, 
}>rec<iilcil  on  General  luiss  to  venture  sn  fur 
from  thfi  nhipiiiiiij."  Strong  evidence  tliis, 
lioriio  by  an  army  officer  against  his  mili- 
tary leader,  in  favor  of  tho  naval  genius  of 
the  foray.  As  the  general  himself,  in  his 
otficial  report  of  his  success,  already  quot- 
ed, says,  "To  Rear-Admiral  ('o(;kburn, 
who  sinjijestcd  the  a/liick  on  IViishinf/ton, 
and  accompanied  the  aiiny,  I  confess  the 
greatest  obligation  for  his  cordial  co-opera- 
tion and  «(/(■/«'."  The  roar-admiral's  official 
dispatch  states,  that  tho  flotilla  was  a  yire- 
text,  while  the  ultimate  (htstinatlon  of  tho 
combined  force  was  AVashington,  only 
should  it  lie  found  that  the  attempt  might 
b(i  made  with  any  protipect  ft/sneces-i.  Null- 
ity of  resistance,  panic-struck  retreat  be- 
fore them  without  a  blow  struck,  an<l  thirst 
of  plunder  more  than  fame,  carried  fiu'ward 
the  invaders  to  the  fall  of  AVashington. 
which,  like  the  Dutch  fleet  taken  by  a 
charge  of  i'ii.diegru's  cavalry,  though  cap- 
tured by  land  forces,  was  a  nautical  con- 
(piest. 

Stealing  fifty  or  sixty  horses  from  tho 
fields  and  stables,  on  which  to  mount 
what  they  called  their  Cosxiiclca,  tho  bold 
seiiman  who  suggested,  planned,  superin- 
tended, and  executed  the  hazardous  enter- 
prise, turned  his  l>ack  on  his  own  ships, 
after  ours  were  burned  in  affright,  and  drove 
headlong,  instcail  of  deserved  defeat,  to 
fortunate  triumph.  Ross,  a  bravo  and  active 
young  general,  unbroken  to  indepen<lent 
command,  revolted  at  marching  without  ca- 
valry or  artillery,  ammunition  or  provisions, 
except  on  tho  backs  of  his  men,  without 
baggage  or  military  chest,  through  an  ene- 
my's country,  to  attack  a  capital  of  which, 
but  for  Cockbnrn's  assurance,  t!ie  general 
could  form  no  adequate  idea  of  the  naked- 


[1814. 

lid  ciili'iiliition 

ti>    iimrch    (III 

Ml"  lirij;ii(l(!  iin- 

tlio  Kn^li^h 

ll<),     no    (lolllit, 

nil  oxei'llcnt 
vitli   III)    nioiN; 

('<>iiiiiiiui(liii^ 
III  111'  III!  iiiilo- 
'rniiniitioii  do- 

>    HIU'COSS,    llllt 

'JIM.  ThiMililH- 
il  in  tlio  loss, 
tiii;:;li(iin,  iiiiil, 
i;li.  The  trutli 
iifilon  Hv^v  iiol 
itiiiii.     To  ilo- 

ohjoct  of  tlio 
;■  the  inxti<ia- 
ivlio  ticeiiiiiiia- 
of  tlio  cnciiiy 

its  visitiitioii. 
'.  of  tho  fiotillii 
iiccpssity  of  a 

lllso  SlllllJI'stld 

anil,  tiimliy, 
irii*>irc  .w  fur 
pviik'iico  tiiis, 
iiiiiNt  his  niili- 
iival  ^joiiius  of 
liinsolf,  in  his 
already  (jiiot- 
al  ('o(;kluirn, 
I  U'ds/iiiif/foii, 
I  confess  the 
pilial  fo-opcra- 
iniral's  official 
lla  was  a  ]>re- 
ination  of  tho 
iin<!;ton,  only 
ttenipt  inif^ht 
)it((Te.^:t.  Nnll- 
'k  rutroat  be- 
ick,  and  tiiirst 
iiriod  fonvard 
Washington, 
taken  Isy  a 
•,  though  cap- 
nautical  con- 

'S08  from  tho 
.h  to  mount 
tclcn,  tho  hold 
ned,  suporin- 
anions  entor- 
is  own  ships, 
ght,  and  drove 
od  defeat,  to 
avo  and  active 
independent 
ig  without  ca- 
or  provisions, 
men,  without 
•ongh  nn  ene- 
tal  of  which, 
!,  the  general 
uf  the  naked- 


CnAP.  VIII.] 


CHEAT  ALARMS. 


107 


nos<8  and  woaknoHS.  Nor  was  the  Scots  .Such  were  the  laxity  of  discipline,  insulior- 
rcar-ad  liral  without  tiie  aid  iind  citiiifort  iliiiatiuii  and  tiirliiili'iice,  prolialiiy  iinavoid- 
of  tri'usoii.  i\(it  only  had  he  spies  in  I  alile  in  a  lii'lerogeiieuus  nsseiiil/lage  mi  a 
'Wii-ihington,  more  tliiiii  twidve  montiis'  fa-    sudden  of  citi/eiis    armed    and   uiinniii'd. 

Id  officer  present  deserilied   tlio 
and  noisy  as 

IS 


nnliarity  w 


*'i  all  the  vieiiiayies  of  the  (,'lie-  ,  that 


ail    o 


len  as  a  race 


tield, 


ipi'ake,  hut,  in  his  train,  traitors  to  show,    eanip  as  o| 
load,  and  encourage  the  way.     There  was  ^  a  fair,  the  militia   and    sailors    Ijoisteroi 
no  |iolico   or    precaution    at   Washington  i  with   mirth  or   ipiarrels,   the   countia>igii 
ugiiinst  clandestine   hostile    visitation   and  ,  given    so  loudly   hy  the    sentinels  that    it 


ivert  coininorancv 


then 


The  Aioeriraii    might  he  heard  fiftv  yards.     Jn   the  midst 


force,  positii)iis,  designs,  and  mnvenients,  |  of  such  a  scene,  ahout  one  o'clock  at 
were  all  well  known  in  the  Jlritish  camp,  night  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  At- 
A  young  Scotsman,  of  idle  and  vicious  torney-tleniral  cmIKmI  on  (u>neraM\'inder 
haliits,  accompanied  the  enemy's  advance  to  let  him  know  that  the  J'resiilint  was  in 
toward  the  capital,  where  his  two  resjiecta-  [  the  neighhorhood,  for  whom  a  company  of 
Lie  lirothers  were  lioth  in  puhlic  employ- 1  regulars  was  sent  as  a  guard.  During  the 
mcnt.  Among  other  strange  oversights  I  following  day  of  the  re\icw,  a  most  alarm- 
in  that  dark  jieriod,  our  goviirnment  suf- 1  ing  report  liecame  pre^alent,  un((lU'^tiona- 
fored  a  spy  on  them  to  reside  at  151a- 1  hly  true,  that  the  general  yvas  missing, 
dciishurg,  in  the  person  of  a  young  Knglish-  j  Alisent  the  whole  day,  the  fear  Avas  univer- 
niaii,  lirother  to  tho  consul-general,  and  sal  that  he  must  havt^  fallen  into  the  hands 
clerk  to  Barclay,  the  Knglish  commissary  j  of  the  enemy.  In  that  emergency,  the  I'ro 
of  jirisoners,  who  was  removed,  1  lielieve, ,  sident,  who  inclined  to  risk  an  action,  and 
from  Bladensliiirg,  where  he  had  been  j  at  all  events,  witii  his  cabinet,  deemed  it 
living.  But  his  clerk  was  allowed  to  !  necessary  to  prepare  for  one,  liy  a  sort  of  e.\- 
rcmaiii;  and,  no  doubt,  kept  the  eie'iny  |  temporaneous  rei|uirem(>iit,  jirevailed  on 
Constantly  advised  of  all  the  designs  of  1  (ieneral  \\'alter  Smith,  of  the  (ieorgetowu 
government  and  mo\em(!nts  fif  troops,  and  j  brigade,  to  take  the  command.  During  this 
whatever  else  it  was  useful  for  tliem  to  i  disturbance,  I'oloiud  -Monroe  left  the  camp, 
know,  and  for  us  to  keep  from  their  know-  j  and  rode  back  to  Wnshiiigtcn  to  see  whether 
ledge.  '  the  Baltimore  wing  nf  the  army  had  arrived. 

Monday,  22d  August,  was  a  day  of  unfor- 1  Auoutsunset,  however.  Gen. Winih-rreturn- 
tunate  and  un|iromisiiig  .\merican  inaction,  j  cd  iVor.i  a  day  spent  in  reconnoitering;  for  it 


The  timidity  of  Winder's  army,  keepin^ 
aloof  from  that  of  lloss,  avoiding  cidlisiim 
when  in  sight  of  it,  retreating  almost  with- 
out a  shot,  throwing  no  im|ieiliment  in  its 
way,  invited  aggression,  while  the  fatal  sa- 
criiiee  of  the  doomed  flotilla  sounded  like 
the  orders  of  capitulation   to  the  dejected 


was  one  of  his  misfortunes  that  tho  cavalry 
and  light  troops,  ail  unpracticed,  couldnot 
be  got  near  enough  to  tho  (^nemy  to  recon- 
iioiter,  who  with  more  exjierience  kept 
tluiir  sharp-shooters  out  to  prt'vent  ap- 
iiroacli.  (ieneral  Winder  found  (ieneral 
Smith  and  Commodore  Barney  in  battle  ar- 


Americans,  and  the  siirnal  to  charge  for  the  ,  ray,  awaiting  an  attack,  which  Major  Pe- 
emboldened  Britiiiis.  Dismal  as  that  day's  I  ter,  from  the  advance,  reported  as  prolin- 
disaster  and  retrograde  were,  however,  to  j  ble  by  six  thousand  men.  So  contidentwas 
inexperienced  citizen  soldiers,  imiiression- 1  (ieneral  Smith  in  his  tiii'ee  thousand  coni- 
able,  thinking;  for  themselves,  and  tumultu-    liatants,  their  position  and  disposition,  that 

he  feared  the  JJritish  would  not  risk  an  ae- 


ons in  tho  utterance  of  their  own  opinions 
of  what  ought  and  ought  not  to  be  done, 
freemen  with  homes  hard  by,  thoughts,  and 
undisciplined  republican  emotions,  next 
day,  Tuesday,  the  2.")d,  was  a  still  and  much 
more  eventful  eve  to  tho  fatal  morrow  of 
battle. 

On  tho  night  of  the  22d  August,  while 
Winder's  army  lay  at  Battalion  Old  Fields, 
the  I'residcnt,  with  his  Secretaries  of  War 
and  Navy,  and  the  Attornoy-ticneral,  vi- 
sited Winder's  camp,  where  the  Secretary 
of  State  was  already;  all  sleeping  there 
that  night.  Next  morning  the  President 
reviewed  the  troops,  disturbed  by  contra 


tioii.  Winder,  with  more  experience  and 
less  confidence,  a]Hirehending  an  attack 
after  night,  when  his  men  would  be  de- 
prived of  their  superiority  in  artillery,  con- 
founded, if  not  cut  to  ]iieces  by  veteran  as- 
sailants, ordered  an  (>veiiiiig  retreat  to 
^Vashington.  In  the  judgment  of  experi- 
enced military  men,  that  retreat  saved  the 
little  army  from  total  ilefeat,  with  great  loss, 
and  Washington  from  capture  more  san- 
guinary, tragical  and  fatal  than  even  its 
de]>lora))le  fate  next  day.  If  put  to  flight, 
and  many  of  them  to  death  that  night, 
there  would  have  been  scarcely  any  Ame- 


dictory  rumors  and  agitated  by  noisy  pro- 1  riean  force  left  to  act  on  even  theprudcneo 
Conceptions,  whether  the  British,  whose  j  of  the  British.  "On  the  2od."  says  the  En- 
numbers  were  multiplied  by  appreliensions  |  glish  narrator,  "wo  fell  in  with  a  strong 
to  twelve  thousand,  wiadd  attack  Winder's  I  body  of  tlio  enemy,  to  deceive  whom  we 
army,  or  Annapolis,  Alexandria  or  Wash- 1  wheeled  If  from  the  main  road  and  took 
ington,  or  return  to  their  ship])iiig  ;  all  |  the  direction  of  Alexandria.  The  liaii  fouk 
was  wild  conjecture  aud  disorderly  dist^uiot.  j  completely ;  for  this  party  was  iu  fact  the 


i  ■)■'■■>" 


■4 


:    t' 


'}'■ 


mi 


-■'".I 


W.^ 


r  ^ 


1C8 


AMEnirAN  FORCES. 


[1814. 


M 


-, ,» 


ailvnnnc'il  f;iiiiril  of  tlio  mnln  nr!)iy.  Tliink- 
iiiif  tint  Ali-xanilriii,  mill  imt  Wii-iliiiitrtun, 
was  tln'oiitcncil,  tlio  AnicricMii  frrncnil 
iihfuiiIniK'il  II  Htroii'^  iKisiticii  wliiili  lie  linil  \ 
Hi'i/i'd  oil  llii«  niiiiii  rmnl,  luiriii-icil  his  ; 
ti'oo|)s  liy  11  Ih'imHi'xs  niai'cli  tow  iinl  tliiit 
town,  anil  disi'iiviTcil  Ins  nii-itakc  only  in 
1iiii(>  (Mioiii^li  to  occupy  tlic  li('i;rlits  of  llla- 
il('iisliiii';j;  a  very  f'ow  minutcH  bi'i'ore  wo 
cnnio  in  sitilit." 

Tlic  rcf ro.it  tliat  ovciiin;r,  and  tlio  nmnnnr 
of  if,  |i'  c  the  recoil  friiiii    the  enemy  tlii^  i 
(lay  liefwi-e,  and  destnictioti  of  the  tlotilln, 
was  exlreiiiely  detriiiieiital  to  our  troii|)s. 
Till!  retreat,  almost  a  I'ijilit,  was  hasty  aii<l 
terrified.  Ali(Piit  fiv()o'(dock,l'.M.,  Mr.  .Fohn 
Law's  r<'|>ort  to  the  conimittee  of  investi- 
piti(»n  was:  "After  hayinj^  remained  some 
time  in  order  of  hattle,  we  were  orilereil  to 
retreat  to  Washington,  ninl  ahhoiijjh   our 
inarch  on  the  retre;it  was  (extremely  ra]iid,  | 
yet  or<Iers  wore  occasionally  ^liven  to   the  i 
captains  of  eoiiiiianics  to  liiirrv  on  their' 
nipn.     The  march,  therefore,  literally  ho-' 
came  n  run  (d'ei;;ht  miles." 

After  three  or  four  days  of  extreme  fa- 
ti;;uo  and  disappointment,  without  ii  <x\i\\ ' 
fired  with  any  effect,  not  a  maii  killed  or 
Wounded  on  either  side,   harassed,  morti- 1 
fied  and  prepared  for  defeat,  AVinder's  army 
encamped  near  the   navy  yard;   many  of 
them  ^!;oin<^  home  to  their  atfripjlited   fami- 
lies for  rest  and  food,  and  chan;;e  of  cloth-  ^ 
in^.    (ieiieral  Winder,  completely  jaded  on  ' 
a  liorrowed  hors(>,  ro<le  to  the  President's, 
■with  wliian  ho  had  a  hrief  conference,  no- ' 
cessarily  despondent,  then    called    on    the 
Secretary  of  \\'ar,  whom  he  found  aliod,  and 
liis  borrowed  horse  irivin*:;  out,  returned  on  : 
foot  to  his  camp  at  the  navy  yar<l,  liruisod  ' 
and  hurt  by  fallinj^  into  a  ditcdi  in  the  dark,  i 
Commodore  'rinjrey,  commander  of  the  navy 
yard,  ami  roloiud  \\'harton,of  the  marines,  i 
the  general  found  there  without  a  sin<j;le  j 
man  in  the  barracks,  and  with  them  con- 
certed additional  pre]iarations  for  dostroy- 
injj;  the  Ipi'idj^es  over  the   Potomac,  the  ves-  j 
sels  aii<l  armament  at  the  navy  yard  ;  for 
destnictiim  by  ours(dves  to  prevent  it  by 
the  enemy  was  the  chief  care,  thoiic^h  the 
jieneral  still  thought  that  Anuapidis  was 
Koss'.s  object.  Although  the  British  frigates 
in  the  I'otomac  had  then  passed  the  kettle 
Ijottoms,  and  ((oneral  AVinder  always  pro- 
nounced Fort  Washington  untenable,  y(>t 
he  deeme<l  the  naval  advance  up  the  Poto- 
mac a  mere  demonstration  to  draw  off  his 
att(!ntiou  from    Annap(dis,    whence  Balti- 
more and  Washington  would  be  both  equally 
assailable  from  a  central  position,  safe  for 
the  shipping  and  unapproachable  by  us. 
In  that  Ciinviction  the  Secretary  of  War 
concurred,  although  he  intimated  that  their 
might  b(>  a  transitory  rush,  what  he  called 
a   "Oossai?k    hurrah"    upon   Washington; 
where,  however,  till  the  dustofthe  invader's 
feet  was  seen  from  liladensburg,amid  a  cloud 


of  fears,  no  ilistiiiet  impression  everprevail- 
cd  that  Wavhinjiton  would  be  tin'  end  or 
niadensbiirgtlM  mean  of  the  enterprise.  To 
the  miihitiidinoiis  exiiressjoiis  of  iilai  m  that 
such  iiiii/lif  be  their  (lesigii,  while  giving 
instruction  to  \\  iniler  to  guard  against 
the  possibility  of  it,  by  harassing  and  im- 
peding their  mar<di,  and  throwing  every 
(distiicle  in  thidr  way  at  every  step,  the  Se- 
cretary of  War,  looking  iMuitemptmaiH  in- 
cre<lulity  through  his  spectacles,  woiihl 
say,"havetlieyartillcry?  Xo.  Have  they 
caviilrv?  No.  Then  don't  (dl  an  old  sol- 
dier tliat  any  regular  army  will  or  can 
come.  We  arc  more  frightened  than  hurt, 
or  like  to  be.  AN'liat  <lo  they  want,  what 
can  thev  got  in  this  s/iei'p  vulh,  as,  to  the 
implacable  disgust  of  its  inhabitants,  he  de- 
signated their  federal  city.  If  they  want 
to  do  anything  they  must  go  to  IJaltimoro, 
not  come  to  this  barren  wilderni'ss." 

At  seven  o'clock  in  the  sultry  evening  of 
the  *i'Jil  of  August,  (leii.Stansbury's  brigade 
of  f(airteen  hiiudred  dralred  militia  rcat  lied 
ISladensburg  from  Ihiltiiiiore  ;  followed,  at 
sunset  next  evening,  by  ("(doiud  Sterrett's 
fine  regiment,  five  hundred  of  the  men  of 
property,  substantial  nu^chanics  and  high- 
spirited  young  gentlemen  of  lialtiinore,  in 
showy  regimentals,  well  oi'gani/;ed  and  dis- 
ciplined vidiintcers,  with  Major  I'iiikiiey's 
(the  late  Attorney-deneral  of  the  United 
States),  battalion  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
rillemen  and  two  companies  of  artillery,  all 
attached  to  Stansbiiry's  brigade,  thuss(uuo 
iweuty-one  hundred  men  in  arms,  (iene- 
ral  Young's  A'irginiabrigailo,  four  hundred 
and  fifty  men  from  Alt>xaiidria  and  its  en- 
virons, on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Poto- 
mac, infiirmed  that  on  the  2.'{d  Ocueral 
Smith's  brigade  was  retreating  to  Wash- 
ington, and  the  enemy  pursuing  rapidly, 
was  directed  by  (ii-noral  Winder  to  cross 
tli(!  river  if  compelled  to  retri>at,and  on  the 
morning  of  the  ll-lth  was  about  <loing  so 
pursuant  to  another  similar  order  from  (Je- 
neral  Winder,  when  stoppeil  by  a  count(>r- 
maiul  from  (ienoral  Armstrong,  also  dated 
the  24tli,  to  remain  on  the  Jlavyland  side 
til!  further  orders,  which  never  came,  so 
tiiat  this  brigaile,  well  disposed,  their  com- 
mander thought,  for  conflict,  remained  a 
few  mih^s  from  the  scene  of  it,  inactive,  list- 
ening to  the  cannonade,  till  finally  order(>d 
by  <jen.  AV^inder  to  cross  the  river  and  join 
his  retreat  to  Mcmtgomery  court  house. 
C!olon(d  Heall's  eight  hundred  militiaarrived 
at  IMadensburg  from  Annapolis,  just  half  an 
hour  before  the  batlh;  began,  (.'ol.  INIinor'a 
six  or  eight  luindred  from  Virginiii,  without 
arms  or  ociuipments,  reached  AVashington 
the  night  before,  but  never  got  into  action, 
owing  to  delay,  first  in  ordering  them  arms, 
and  then  in  stupidly  counting  slowly  the 
tliiita  distributed  to  them  while  the  battle 
was  raging.  The  Americans  had  thus 
more  than  seven  thousand  men  in  or  near 


[1814. 

Bvorprovftil- 

tli(>  crnl  or 
tci|ii'iM\  To 
r:iliillil  Unit 

liilo  fi'ivili;^ 
nl    npiiiist 

n<^  and  iin- 
wiiij^  every 
itep,  tlie  Se- 
iilitiKiiis  in- 
les,    would 

Have  they 

an  old  >n)l- 
ivill  or  (-an 
I  than  hurt, 
want,  wliat 
[■,  as,  to  tho 
ants,  ho  do- 

tliey  want 

Ualtiniorc, 
,esM." 

evenin<»  of 
•y's  hri^':udo 
itia  reaehed 
ol  111  wed.  at 
1  iSterrett's 
tlic  men  of 
1  and  hii;h- 
iltiniore,  in 
;ed  and  dis- 

I'inknev'a 
tho  United 
m1  and  lifty 
i-tiliery,  ail 
,  thus  sonio 
ns.  Cicno- 
iir  hundred 
and  its  en- 
f  the  I'oto- 
d  (ieneral 
;  to  AN'ash- 
ijr  rapidly, 
L^r  to  cross 
and  on  the 
t  doin;r  so 
'r  from  («c- 

a  eountor- 

a1s<j  dated 
•yland  side 
r  came,  so 

their  com- 
omained  a 
Eictive,  list- 
lly  ordered 
n*  and  join 
irt  liouso. 
itia  arrived 
nsthalfan 
d.  Minor's 
\n,  without 
'asliinfrton 
nto  action, 
hem  arms, 
slowly  tho 

the  battle 

had  thus 
in  or  near 


AMEHICAX  PTSTUACTION'. 


Chap.  VIII.] 

position,  tlu^  British  not  more  than  four 
tliiiusiinil,  <d'  whom  less  thiin  fifteen  hun- 
dred liejiiin,  anil  not  execedimi;  three  tlioii- 
Hiiiiil  eiiincd  thelinftle.driviii;'  the  .Mary  la  oil- 
ers in  till'  twinklihi;  of  an  tye  iVom  their 
ceuimaiidin^i'  ;jroiiud.  j 

After  the   Secretary  of  State   returned  ' 
from  Winiler's  camp  to  Washin;iiton,  he  rode 
out  to  Slanshurv's  <'neampment.  and  thenee 
a<;ain  hack  to  AVasliin;j;ton.     Soon  nft(!r  his 
dejiarture,  the  advance  jiicket.s  on  thelSIarl- 
lioroii^rh  road  ;;ave  th(^  alarm  hy  lirin;>;,  and 
roused  the  wearied  lii'i;:;aile  from  sleep  to  he 
hastily  put  UTider  arms,    The  alarm  prov- ; 
in;i;  nnfoundoil,  they  wi>re  dismissed  to  rest 
anain,  when  at  two  o'clock  at  ni^ht,  un  ex- 
press from  Winder  infornu'd  Stanshury  of 
his  retreat  into  Washin;;ton,  over  tliehrid^e, 
which  ho  had  ordered  to  he  hurned,  direct- ' 
inji  Stanshury  alone  to  tij^ht  the  enemv,  if 
they  came  liy  Uladensliur,'.',  thouj^h  which 
way  they  avouIiI  come,  if  at  all,  was  wliidly 
uncertain.    Colonel  Monroe  hi\d  shortly  1)0- 
fore  informed  (ieneral  Stansliury  of  (ieneral 
AVinder's  alarminj;  disa)i]ieaianco  from  his 
cam]i  at  Battalion  Old  Fields,  tho  universal 
appndiension  that  ho  must  have  fallen  into  , 
tho  hands  of  tho  enemy,  and  thi'  tlniinn  by 
Avhich  (ieneral   Smith  had  been  chosen  to 
command  in  AVindor's   stead.     AVitli   two 
thousand  we.iry  and  sleepy  raw  militia,  or- , 
dored  to  light  tho  whido  IJritish  army,  vari- 
ously re])ortod  at  from  six  to  twelve  tlaaisand  ! 
AVidlington   veterans,   Stanshury   called  a 
nocturnal    and   hasty   council   of  war,  at  j 
which  Major  I'inknoy,  Colonels  Storrott,  ' 
lla{!;an  and  ShutzAVore  unanimously  of  opin- 
ion with  their  p;eneral,  that    Stansbury's 
jiosition  was  whidly  untenable   by  so  few 
inexperienced   men,    worn  down  with   fa-  i 
tipue  ami  hunjier ;  and  that  their  own  safety  ; 
required  their  retirine;  beyond  thoBIadons- 
burjjf  bridj!;o.      Havinf;;  done  so.  and  fallen  [ 
bac'k   about   a  mile   towards  AVashinp^ton,  i 
while  tired  citiz(!ns   under  arms,  covered 
with  dust  and  sweat,  and  confounded  l)y 
incessant  alerts,  counter-orders  and  countor- 
numdies,  and  ifrnorant  how  to  coidt,  hardly 
how  to  oat,  their  victiuils  in  a  camp,  many  of; 
them  picnllomoji  of  larj^o  possessions  and 
luxurious  livinp;,  accustomeii  to  ro}i;ular  ro-  j 
pose  and  choice  refreshments,  were  stand- 
ing by  the  road  sid(s  broakfastinp;  on  bad  salt 
beef  and  musty  flour,  a  second  order  .  ame 
from(JonoralA\^indor  to  encounter  and  with- 
stand tho  enemy  at  Dladensburf!; ;  whoro- 
ujion  another  council  of  war,  by  tho  same 
officers,  was  hold,  who  a<i;ain  resolved  that 
it  was  impossible ;  and  Stanshury  was  about 
retirinjj;  still  nearer  toward  AVashinjrjton  and 
AVindor,  M'hen  a  third  order  peremptorily 
commanded  him  to  give  battle  at  Bladeus- 
burg;  the  discouraj:;ing  sij^nals  for  whiidi 
wore  tho  ox])losions  and  conflagration  of 
the  two  bridfros  near  the  navy-yard,  audi- 
bly  and    visibly   apprising    every  one    in 
Stansbury's  camp,   that  (Licnoral  AViuder 


K'O 


wax  destroying  tho  wny  by  which  the  Bri- 

fi-^li  might  at  tick  him.  and  cnuipelliirr  flieiii 
to  attiiek  Stiiii«bury  alone,  separali  il  -e-.e- 
nil  mile-i  lie. in  Winder,  iiot  only  ANiilimit 
union,  liiit  wiihiiut  any  plan,  concert  or 
iiietliod  id'  action. 

Thus  live  pr(diminiiry  days  of  that  divii.s- 
trous  decaiiieron  have  been  imperf"etly  told, 
which  it  is  impossible  to  de.>-ciibe  i-ntis- 
I'actorily,  eiiher  to  the  persons  iiniilicutej 
in  such  obnoxious  ami  couriiscil  triinsai!- 
tioiis,or  the  icirrator  who  studies  rectittulo, 
Stiiiiiilated  by  hopes  of  plunder  and  con- 
quest, and  hurried  by  the  exigency  of  an 
(^xcMirsiou  extremely  hii/'.ardous,  but  invited 
by  American  diflidence  and  iiiMCtion.  the 
Uritish  rapidly  moved  forward,  the  milit.iry 
commamler  reliictar >  and  anxious,  while 
urged  by  the  bold  v;  '-admiral.  'I'lio  Ame- 
rican general  was  di.-.tractod  by  ciar  isi'llors, 
from  (irivates  in  the  ranks  up  to  tlic!  com- 
niander-in-chief  and  his  di\  liied  cai  inet,  tho 
I're.-^iilent  ]irobably  (I  irons  of  i  general 
engagement,  as  due  to  national  lioiior  ani' 
the  iiitiiortance  of  the  stake,  which  (ie.u  • 
nil  A\'iniler.  (ieneral  .Vrmstrinig  and  Co'o' 
nel  Monroe  dissuaded  as  too  venturesonu". 
Kverywhere  and  cveryliow  ■  •'•ire|)arod 
for  it,  part  of  tho  army  at  iiad  nsburg, 
another  )mrt  five  miles  off  at  the  navy 
yard,  and  others  still  further  off,  jaded, 
disheartened  and  debilitated  by  hunger, 
lassitude,  and  all  other  jdiysical  as  wcdl  as 
moral  incapacity  for  strenuous  conflict,  tho 
rout  that  ensued  was  the  natursil  sei(uel  of 
^sucli  unpromising  antecedontf.  Everything 
soemed  dime  to  organize  defeat,  every  pre- 
paration made  to  yitdd,  no  spirit  shown  or 
arrangements  to  con((uer.  "  The  truth  is," 
says  tho  iJritish  narrative,  if  wo  may  bo 
tavight  by  that  enemy,  "  that  the  capture  was 
brought  about  more  by  the  oxtremo  folly  of 
the  American  government,  and  their  absurd 
confidence  tin  't^  Avould  not  be  attempted, 
than  byanyoM  ■;•■  .mrse.  Had  tho  omerg- 
eney  been  conu  saplated,  and  in  a  jiropcr 
manner  provided  against:  or  had  any  skill 
and  courage  boon  displayed  in  retarding 
tho  progr:"iS  of  our  troojis,  the  design,  if 
formed  at  all,  would  have  boon  either  abnn- 
dorec  iiiimodiatoly,  or  must  h.'ivo  ended  in 
the  total  destruction  of  tho  invaders." — 
These  precious  confessions  are  a  volume  of 
proof  to  Mhich  more  must  bo  superadded, 
that  in  one  of  those  blighting  ])anics  to 
which  all  mankind  are  subject,  like  mortal 
epidemics,  the  pcditical  capital  of  tho  United 
States  was  captured  by  an  enemy  almost  as 
much  alarmed  for  his  safety  as  tho  victims 
of  his  audacity  and  their  own  infatuation. 

During  the  third  and  last  session  of  the 
AVar  Congress,  specially  convened  in  tho 
pestilential  heat?  of  September,  1814,  ex- 
pelled from  tho  half-finished  splendor  of 
their  capit<d,  and  compelled  to  assemlile  in 
the  only  fragment  of  a  jnildic  building  that 
escaped,  not  the  torch,  for  that  was  .applied 


■    h    ■■■ 


■  '■ '  ■  ;<l 


i 


170 


INQUIRY  BY 

— ♦■ 


CONGRESS. 


[1814. 


•■* ;  {• 


I 


■ft 


f 

'"if 

^ 

•  ' 

tL 

to  it,  but  fortunately  escaped  the  otherwise 
geueriil  conllagratiuu — tlioro  in  distiiiiper 
ami  ill  temper  to  nuvr^shal  parties  for  acri- 
monious contest  more  odious  than  ■war- 
fare, the  disgraceful  battle  of  Bladensburg 
and  capture  of  the  disconsolate  metropolis, 
M'ere  the  absorbing,  almost  exclusive  topics. 
Fought  every  lunir  of  every  day  and  night 
by  huiulreds  of  partisans  and  sciolist  tac- 
ticians, the  issue  of  all  sucii  controversies 
was  demonstrative  how  impossible  it  was 
to  lose,  how  simple  and  easy  to  gain  the 
daj'.  To  this  hour,  that  national  disgrace 
i«  still  tiio  subject  there  of  angry  and  irre- 
cmcilable  party  and  personal  recrimination. 
The  President,  who  survived  to  be  a  shrine 
of  general  reverence,  was  then  a  driveller 
beneath  contempt,  till  victory  elsewhere 
and  peace  crowned  his  administration  with 
revived  and  enduring  favor.  The  sarcastic 
Secretary  of  War,  as  soon  as  the  conquerors 
withilrew  to  their  shijis,  accused  of  treason, 
was  driven  away  by  what  ho  called  a  village 
mob,  and  not  suffered  even  to  resign  at 
Washington,  ]"\t  advised  by  the  President, 
and  forced  l)y  popular  indignation,  to  fly  to 
Baltimore  to  do  it.  (icneral  Winder  was 
reprobated  as  a  federalist  and  a  fool ;  brave 
men  were  stigmatized  as  cowards ;  each  de- 
tachment of  t\m  army  accused  the  otlier  of 
misl)ehavior;  and  the  ))lasting  catastrophe 
has  left  till  now,  1848,  such  incurable 
wounds  of  vanity  and  shame,  that,  when 
gleaning  from  survivors,  from  simultaneous 
recollections,  official  documents,  public  jour- 
nals and  all  other  soui-ces  of  authentic 
belief,  it  is  still  dlflScult,  if  not  impossible, 
tc  tind  an  impartial  person  or  proof,  or  set- 
tit  on  the  truth.  Even  that  eternal  cause 
of  American  misintelligence,  presidential 
aspirations,  the  other  also  sempiternal  jea- 
lousy between  north  and  south,  conspire 
to  aggravate  a  remembrance  of  homes  de- 
stroyed and  reputations  disparaged ;  for 
Monroe  was  then  the  prominent  candidate 
to  succeed  Madison,  and  Armstrong's  nor- 
thern a<llierents  began  to  claim  his  better 
northern  riglit  to  tliat  overvalued  succes- 
sion; so  that  angry  pul)lications,  even  while 
I  write,  still  emit  contradictory  statements, 
which  it  is  impossible  to  reconcile  and  diffi- 
cult to  exi)lain. 

Congr((ss  could  not  ascertain  the  truth. 
W^ithiu  a  week  after  our  session  began,  a  S(d- 
dier,  covered  with  wounds  and  resting  on 
crutches,  (^ol.  irhduird  M.  Johnson,  moved, 
on  the  2od  of  S^pt.,  1814,  for  a  s(dci't  com- 
mittee, modifying  his  motion  next  day,  tor 
innuiring  into  tlie  causes  of  tiie  suecss  of 
tlie  enemy  in  his  rt'ceiit  entcrprisii  against 
tliis  metropolis  and  the  neighi)oring  town  of 
Ale.vamh'ia,  and  into  the  manner  in  whicli 
the  public  imildings  and  ])roperty  were 
destroyed,  and  the  amount  thercHif,  with 
power  U>  scml  for  piTsoiis  ami  papers.  Tiie 
original  resolution  as  moveil  the  diiy  before 
call.  1  for  the  cidue  of  the  property  public 


and  pricate;  in  whi;h  two  particulars,  it 
was,  some  of  us  thought,  improved  by  modi- 
fication, and  then  adopted.  The  Siieaker, 
3Ir.  Choves,  of  course,  placed  Col.  Johnson 
at  the  head  of  the  committee,  by  which  a 
l)rave  man,  averse  to  censure  and  one  to 
uiuversal  kindness,  v\as  ]>ut  where  the  ad- 
ministration much  desired  such  a  one ;  with 
whom  were  associraed  some  of  the  most 
respectable  members  of  both  jiarticss,  Wil- 
liam Lowndes,  Richard  Stockton,  Morris  S. 
Miller,  Charles  (joldsborough,  Philip  Bar- 
bour and  Israel  IMekeris.  On  the  IDth  of  Oct. 
Mr.Webster  and  M'illiam  Cox  were  substitut- 
ed for  Stockton  and  Miller,  absent  on  leave. 
The  committee  soon  found  that  judgnuuit 
could  not  bo  passed  in  such  a  case ;  and  after 
two  months'  investigation,  during  which, 
every  prominent  actor  in  the  sorry  affair, 
exce])t  the  chief  magistrate,  who  could  not 
be  8ul)jected  to  interrogation,  was  calleil 
on  to  ])lead  his  own  cause — on  the  'l^dih 
of  Novemlier,  1814,  a  discreet  rejiort  was 
made  of  all  the  many  contradictory  staie- 
ments,  committed  to  a  committet;  of  the 
wh(de  II  Hise  and  ordered  for  consideration 
the  third  Jlonday  of  December.  Cid.  John- 
son declared  that  the  committee,  Avith  great 
labor,  had  collected  all  the  facts  in  relation 
to  the  military  movement,  but  expressed  no 
opinion  on  it,  leaving  it  to  all  to  judge  for 
themselves,  what  ought  to  have  beiMi  done. 
Mr.  Webster,  as  one  of  the  committee,  ac- 
knowledging the  great  Lalior  of  tiie  report, 
pronounced  it  a  mere  chronicle,  answering 
no  one  of  the  purposes  for  which  the  com- 
mittee was  appointed.  So  far  from  clear- 
ing up  the  causes  of  our  failure,  it  covered 
up  a  nu)st disgraceful  trunsaction,  in  amass 
of  prolixity  and  detail.  A  Ithough  the  enemy 
landed  within  fifty  miles  of  Washington, 
aTid  1200  of  their  army  overcame  all  the 
force  collected  thei'c,  after  two  montiis'  no- 
tice no  opinion  was  expressetl  of  these  cir- 
cumstances. The  report  did  not  explain 
whether  the  navy  yard  was  destroyed  by 
order  or  nnsro  infatuation.  Wlule  proceed- 
ing in  this  strain,  he  was  checked  by  the 
Speaker,  and  the  papers  were  ordered  to  bo 
printed,  which  was  the  last  heard  of  them 
in  Congress.  For  the  House  could  no  more 
discuss  than  the  committee  pronounce  upon 
transactions  implicating  so  nuiny  marked 
personages,  and  such  conflicting  evidence 
of  occurrences  um(U(SHti(Uuil)ly  disgraceful 
to  the  government  and  the  country.  Where- 
fore, on  Saturday  the  4th  of  February,  1815, 
on  Colomd  Johnson's  significant  motion, 
without  dissent  or  a  word  said,  it  was  re- 
solved that  tlio  order  of  the  day  (ui  the 
report  shoidd  be  postponed  indefinitely. 
Like  repudiated  continental  moiu'v,  sufl'er- 
eil  to  expire  in  the  liands  of  the  soldiers  of 
the  Revolution,  tiie  fall  of  Wasliiugton  was 
put  to  rest,  as  one  of  those  overwhelming  and 
incurable  is\ils  which  cannot  be  redressed, 
explained  or  dwelt  upon,  but  must  bo  cou- 


[1814. 

irticulars,  it 
vcd  ]>y  modi- 
he  Si)e(iker, 
Jol.  Johnson 
by  wliich  a 
md  _  one  to 
hero  f.lio  ad- 
a  one;  with 
»f  the  most 
)artios,  Wil- 
n,  Morris  S. 
Pliilip  Bar- 
I'Jth  of  Oi't. 
■resultstitut- 
ent  on  leave, 
it  jiid;j;m(!nt 

;  and  after 
rinjf  whieh, 
sorry  aflair, 
10  could  not 
was  ealleil 
in  the  liDth 
rejKirt  was 
ietory  staie- 
ttce  of  the 
)nsideratiou 

C'(d.  Jcihn- 
s,  witli  ;j;reat 

n  relation 
xpressed  no 
to  judj:;e  for 
been  done, 
nmitteo,  ao- 
the  report, 
,  answering 
;:h  the  com- 
from  elear- 
',  it  eovifred 
n,  in  anuiss 
h  tJie  enemy 
rashiii<i;ton, 
inio  all  tlu* 
months'  no- 
f  these  cir- 
not  explain 
'stroyed  by 
ile  prooeed- 
k(>d  by  the 
dcred  to  bo 
rd  of  them 
Id  no  more 
uunce  upon 
ny  niiirked 
i^  evideneo 
disjiii'acefui 
y.    Where- 
iiary,  1815, 
ut   motion, 
,  it  was  re- 
lay on  the 
luiefinitel^'. 
iiey,  suffer- 
soldiors  of 
iuf^ton  was 
I'lmingand 
redriissed, 
ist  bo  cou- 


CnAP.  VIII.] 


EXPLANATION  ABANDONED. 


171 


Biftned  to  contemptuous  amnesty  or  merciful 
oblivion.  Thirty-three  years  of  annual  efflux 
of  time  having  mellowed  that  national  bitter- 
ness, still  Washington  burns  with  shame  and 
passion  on  the  subj(H't.  l''rom  first  to  last  the 
conjuncture  was  unfortunate;  the  caiiital 
was  doomed;  fatality  attended  everytliing 
attempted,  from  the  landing  of  the  invaders 
on  the  I'.lth  to  their  re-embarkation  on  the 
29th  of  August,  ten  days  of  wond(U'ful  and 
inexplicable  trepidation  and  ill-luck.  With 
the  President  and  his  cabinc't,  the  general 
and  his  troops,  and  in  the  British  army  too, 
it  was  a  usurpation  of  ]Minic.  ]{oss  hast- 
ened forward  and  backward,  coiiquer(>d, 
))urncd  the  caj)ital;  Winder  retired,  was 
routed  andhisarmydispersed,all  in  gnnnid- 
less  alarm.  Five  hundr  }d  British  soldiers 
killed  or  wounded  an<l  many  nniro  desert- 
ing, while  not  one  American  soldier  was 
slain,  and  but  few  wounded,  except  some 
twenty  or  thirty  watermen  and  marines,  were 
the  casualties  of  a  battle  which,  if  not 
fought  at  all,  njight  have  saved  AVashington 
and  compelled  the  eticmy  to  surrender. 
Fear  disarmed  force,  and  fortune,  in  a  fit  of 
lust,  gave  herself  up  to  the  rash  seaman  who 
was  the  demon  of  th(;  enterprise. 

The  day  after  the  final  report  on  the  sub- 
ject was  indefinitely  postjioned,  we  received, 
on  Sunday  the  5th  of  Februarj',  1815,  the 
grateful  news  of  Jackscm's  saving  victories. 
Seldom,  says  Voltaire,  is  anything  great 
done  in  the  world,  except  by  the  giMiius  and 
firmness  of  some  one  nnin,  contending  with 
the  prejudices  of  the  multituile  and  over- 
coming them.  Perhaps  a  stern,  sanguinary 
and  unyielding  chief  might  have  oi-ganized 
victory  even  from  the  mat(>rials  Winder  had 
to  deal  with;  l)ut  no  such  genius  a](peared, 
either  in  the  field  or  the  cal>in(^t.  Two  days 
after  the  intelligence  of  Jackson's  triumph. 
General  Brown  arrived  in  AV'ashington,  to 
confer  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  Monroe, 
how  to  carry  the  war,  under  the  aus]iices 
of  Brown  and  Jackson,  through  (Janada  to 
Nova  Scotia.  Congress  voted  thanks  to 
Jackson  as  to  Brown,  and  seats  within  their 
halls  to  otticers  for  gallantry  and  good  con- 
duct displayed  in  the8er\  ice  of  their  country. 
An  effort,  which  the  destruction  of  Wash- 
ington was  near  accomplishing,  to  remove 
the  seat  of  government  to  sonu*  otlun*  place, 
was  put  a  stop  to.  We  began  to  trust  with 
Jackson,  that  single  handed  this  country 
could  resist  (Jreat  Britain,  that  F/astern  dis- 
affection was  less  to  be  feared,  that  war, 
vigorously  w!»^ed,  was  the  best  way  to  peace, 
when,  on  the  l4th  of  February,  1815,  it  brokt! 
upon  us  with  superabundant  consolations 
from  the  momentary  loss  and  lasting  dis- 
grace of  AVashington.  But  this  sketch,  or 
any  history,  would  shrink  frojn  duty  not  to 
describe,  without  fear  or  favor,  the  events 
of  thiit  memorable  mishap,  to  which,  how- 
ever invidious  the  undertaking,  I  am  the 
muro  iiupollod,  bccauso  diaries  have  been 


burned  and  narrations  suppressed  of  its 
incredible  consternation.  Washington  is 
still  full  of  the  survivors,  but  scarce  one 
whorenniined  in  it  that  day,  afu^rthe  ilifiht 
from  Bladensburg.  C'ock])urn  had  done 
his  work  of  destruction  and  terror  so  eficc- 
tuiii'y,  that,  togetluir  with  tlioso  who  were 
among  the  troops  and  thereby  prevented 
s(!(!ing  their  coiupiei'ors  after  the  battle, 
scarce  any  are  to  be  mot  with  who  saw 
or  heard  what  the  conqiierors  did  when  in 
jiossession  of  their  comjuest.  Among  them 
ail,  two  opinions  are  prevalent,  first,  that 
tJeneral  Boss  was  less  rajiacious,  nuire  cle- 
ment, and  stricter  in  punishing  military 
excesses,  than,  secondly.  Admiral  Cock- 
burn,  who  was  the  evil  genius,  delighting  in 
pillage  and  destruction.  If  the  murderous 
shot  fired  at  Boss,  as  he  rode  into  AVashing- 
ton, and  killed  his  mare,  had  killed  the  rider, 
it  s(>eins  to  be  universally  lielieved,  that,  in- 
stead of  the  public  buildings  Inirned,  Cock- 
burn  would  not  have  lel't  a  house  standing, 
public  or  [irivate,  but  Coiigrctss  would  have 
been  obliged  to  se(>k  another  place  for  their 
session  than  a  seat  of  government  entirely 
consunnid. 

llesuming  the  narrative  for  description 
of  the  battle  and  its  immediate  conse- 
quences, let  us,  first,  take  the  enemy's 
lesson  in  an  effort  to  state  impartially  the 
occurrences  of  a  day  for  which  every  ar- 
rangement had  been  taken  to  yield  to  an 
attack  not  made  without  much  hesitation, 
oven  after  the  armies  were  in  sight  of  each 
other,  which  ten  minutes'  early  resistance 
must  have  repulseil,  and  which,  with  a 
firm  countenance,  avoiding  any  battle  at 
all,  woulil  have  defeated. 

An  English  military  account  of  the  affair 
says :  "  The  Americans  thus  hastily  col- 
lected together  were  commanded  by  a  Bal- 
timore lawyer.  Several  very  able  argu- 
ments of  this  gentleman  at  the  bar,  will  bo 
fi)und  in  the  reports  of  the  decisions  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and 
probably  might  be  referred  to  as  rather 
more  creditable  to  his  fame  than  the  dis- 
position ho  made  of  the  citizens  who  were 
placed  under  his  charge.  Let  the  English 
reader  innigine  Mr.  Brougham  or  Mr.  Scar- 
lett or  Mr.  Dennnvn  called  upon  to  dis- 
charge such  military  functions,  and  surely 
he  will  have  a  proper  feeling  of  charity 
while  he  reails  the  following  severe  but 
prol)ably  merited  criticism. 

"To  bring  an  army  of  raw  militia  men, 
however  oxccdlent  they  might  be  as  shots, 
into  a  fair  field  against  regular  troops,  cotikl 
end  in  nothing  but  defeat.  Had  they  left 
all  clear  and  permitted  us  to  advance  as  far 
as  Nottingham,  then  broke  up  the  roads 
and  covered  them  with  trees,  it  would  havo 
been  impossible  for  us  to  go  a  step  beyond. 
As  soon  as  this  was  effected,  they  might 
havo  skirmished  with  us  in  front  and  kept 
our  attention  alive  with  part  of  their  troops, 


'*^' 


^.vt 


■-■1' 


1  ■   M 


..  l- 

.'V 

'■    if  . 

.J  ■    .  ■   * 

^fr- 

'  "■'  •  ,'*. 

,  4 

♦i, 

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■■^; 


.'i^i 


172 


BRITISH 


VIEWS. 


[1814. 


l<  \. 


Vr    '■ 


•  >(■ 


,1'- 
i'' 


while  the  rest,  ftcc|naintotl  as  they  cloul)tlot<s 
were,  witli  every  inch  (tf  the  I'ountry,  had 
gilt  into  our  rear,  and  ]\y  a  Himihvr  luoilo  (if 
jirdcci'dint!;  cut  off  our  rc^treat.     Tlius  we 
nhoiil(l  liavo  lieoii  taken  in  a  snare  from 
wiiieh  wo    could    not   extricate  ourselves, 
nii<l  should  have  l)(!en  oldigod,  in  all  iiroha- 
bility,  to  surrender  at  discretion.     15ut  this 
olivious  and  natural  jilan  of  defence  thev 
chose  to  reject,  and  determined  to  trust  ail  j 
to  the.  fate  of  a  battle.     And  here  again  { 
th(!y  were  K"i'ty  <>f  'i  monstrous  error  in 
not  occujiyiu}:;   the   town  of  Bladeusburj!;  I 
with  part  of  their  forces.     The  most  open  , 
villa;jce,  if   resolutely   defended,  will    cost  i 
many  men  before  it  falls;  whereas  Bladens- ; 
burfj;  being  comiiosed  of  substantial  brick  | 
liouses,  might  have   been  maintained  for  ! 
hours  against  all  our  ettbrts.     In  the  next  i 
jilace,  they  disjilayed  great  want  of  military  | 
knowledge  in  the  disposition  of  both  their  ' 
infantry  and  artiller\-.     There  was  not  in 
the  whole  space  of  their  line  a  single  point 
where  an  enemy  would   bo  cxjiosed  to  a 
ei'oss  lire.     The  troops  were  drawn  up  in 
three  straight  lines,  like  so  many  i-egiments 
ii[ion  a  gala  parade ;  while  the  guns  wore 
used  as  connecting  links  to  a  chain  being 
posted  in  the  same  order  by  ones  and  twos, 
at  every  interval.     Of  tin;  [lersonal  courage  j 
of  the  Americans,  there  can  bo  no  doubt ;  ! 
they  are,   individually  taken,  as    brave  a  i 
nation  as  any  in  the  world.     lUit  they  are  | 
not  soldiers  ;  tiiey  have  not  /he  experience  j 
nor  the  haliU.s  of  soldiers.    It  was  the  height  i 
of  folly,  therefor*',  to  bring  thorn  into  «,s'(V»a-  j 
tiiiit  where  iiofJ/ine/  hut  that  experience  and  | 
these  haiiits  toil/  (trail.     When  two  linos  op-  I 
pose  each  other  very  little  depends  upon  ! 
the  accuracy  with  which  individuals  take  ! 


It  is  then  that  the  habit  of  acting  in 


if.' 


mm. 

con(;ert,  the  confidence  which  each  man 
feels  in  his  companions,  and  the  rajiidity 
and  good  order  in  which  different  move- 
ments can  lie  e.\ocuted,  can  alone  be  of 
service."  I 

Another  officer  of  the  British  force  has 
publihhcd  his  military  opinion,  as  follows: 
"After   a   night,  during   which    the    out- 
posts  were   kept   in   a   state   of   constant 
anxiety,  we  started  on   our  in;ircli  at  an  ; 
early  hour  on  tlie  24th.     Not  a  cloml  in 
tiio  sky,  but  a  damp  and  fetid  atmosphere 
from  the  heavy  moisture  omitted  by  the  { 
grass  and  weeds.     The  sun  beat  on  us  in  ! 
full  forc(<;   tlie  dust,  without  a  breath  fif ! 
air  to  disjierso  it,  occasioned  the  greatest ! 
iiuMinvenii-nee  both  to  eyes  and  respiration. 
N(.'vcr  did    I   suffer    niore    from  iieat   and 
fatigU(>.     The  enemy  did  not  emidoy  his  ; 
cavalry  to    harass    us.     Numbers   of    ex-  i 
liauHied  men  fell  in  the  rear,  many  more  ' 
coulil  wltli  ditiieiilty  bo  kejit  up.     Halted 
in  the  woods    near   a  stream  to  refresii: 
but  so  oppressive  was  tins  heat  that  when  ! 
our  march  was  resnmed,  tlie  road  was  again  | 
covered    with    etraj;;^lcrs,     As   uoun    ivjj-  i 


proached,  turning  an  angle  in  the  road; 
tlie  two  armies  came  in  siglitof  each  other. 
Their  position  was  strong,  and  attitude 
commanding.  Immediately  on  arriving  in 
the  streets  of  llladonsburg,  within  range  of 
tlie  American  artillery,  several  of  their  guns 
opened  on  us,  with  a  ((uick,  sustained  and 
well-directed  cannonade.  We  halted  ;  but 
soon  again  pushed  on  at  double  quick  time 
towards  tiie  bridge,  ^\'hen  covered  with 
our  people,  the  two-gun  battery  on  the  road 
began  to  play  with  trinnendous  effect.  At 
the  first  discharge  almost  an  entire  com- 
pany was  swejit  down  ;  the  succeeding  dis- 
charges were  much  less  fatal.  The  riflemen, 
too,  galled  us  with  a  running  lire ;  and  it 
was  not  without  trampling  upon  many  of 
their  dead  and  dying  comrades  that  the 
light  brigade  established  itself  on  the  op- 
jiosito  side  of  the  stream.  When  once 
there,  however,  everything  else  was  easy. 
Wlioeliiig  off  to  the  right  and  left,  they 
dashed  into  tln^  thicket  and  quickly  cleared 
it  of  the  American  skirmishers,  who,  falling 
back  upon  the  first  lino  with  preeijiitation, 
throw  it  into  disorder  before  it  had  Hred  a 
shot.  Our  troojis  had  hardly  shown  them- 
selves when  the  whole  of  that  lino  gave  way 
and  Hod  in  the  greatest  confusion,  leaving 
llu!  two  guns  upon  the  road  in  possession 
of  the  victors.  Instead  of  pausing  till  the 
rest  of  the  army  got  up,  the  light  brigade, 
disencumbering  themselves  of  their  knap- 
sacks and  haversacks,  and  extending  their 
ranks  so  as  to  show  an  equal  front  with  the 
enemy,  pushed  on  to  attack  the  second  lino. 
Tho  Americans  stood  firm,  and  with  tluiir 
whole  artillery,  except  tho  two  captured 
guns,  first  checked  the  ardor  of  the  assail- 
ants by  a  heavy  tire,  and  then  in  their  turn 
advanced  to  recover  their  lost  ground, 
driving  back  the  British  troops  to  the  very 
tlii('ket  on  tho  river's  brink,  where  tlufy 
reiielled  all  attempts  to  drive  them  through 
it,  and  following  to  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  cannon's  month  such  [larts  of  tho 
enemy's  line  as  gave  way.  In  this  state 
the  action  continued  till  the  second  brigade 
crossed  the  bridge  and  formed  on  the  right, 
when  tho  44th  regiment  debouched  on  tho 
Amtirican  left  Hank  and  compli'tcdy  turned 
it.  In  that  quarter  the  battle  was  won ; 
the  raw  militia  men  stationed  there,  once 
broken,  could  not  bo  rallied.  But  on  their 
right  the  enemy  still  kept  their  ground  with 
much  resolution  ;  nor  was  it  till  the  arrival 
of  the  4th  regiment  to  tho  charge  that  they 
b(!gan  to  wav(?r.  Then,  indeej,  seeing  their 
left  in  full  flight,  and  the  44tli  getting  in 
thtnr  rear,  tlujy  lost  all  order  and  dispia'sed. 
The  rout  was  g.'neral  throughout  the  whole 
line.  The  battle  began  at  one  o'clock  in 
tli(^  afternoon  and  lasted  till  four,  The  loss 
on  tlu!  part  oft....'  Kngiisli  was  severe.  Out 
of  two-thirds  of  the  army  engaged  upwards 
of  5(11)  werii  killed  and  wounded.  Colonel 
Thornton,  who  coimiumded  tho  liyht  bri- 


[1814. 

1  the  road; 
each  other. 
i<l  attitude 
arriving  in 
lin  ran^e  of 
if  their  }!;un8 
stained  and 
lialted  ;  hut 
(|uii'k  time 
Aored  with 
on  tlie  road 
effect.  At 
}ntire  com- 
;eeding  dis- 
lie  riflemen, 
tire ;  and  it 
m  many  of 
8  that  the 
on  the  op- 
Vhen  once 
was  easy, 
left,  they 
kly  cleared 
vho,  falling 
neijiitation, 
had  tired  a 
10 wn  them- 

0  j^ave  way 
1)11,  loavinfi; 

posHCssion 
inf»  till  the 
lit  ljri;;-ade, 
heir  knap- 

dinj;  their 
it  with  the 
jcond  lino, 
with  their 

1  captured 
the  asuail- 
their  turn 
t    {ground, 

0  the  very 
here  tlu^y 
in  through 
t  distance 
rts  of  the 
this  state 

id  bripide 
tho  ri;j;ht, 
led  on  the 
;,'ly  turned 
was  won ; 
liere,  once 
it  on  their 
(Uiiid  with 
lu'  arrival 
that  they 
seiiij;  their 
;ettin}2;  in 
dispersed, 
till-  whole 
ii'clock  in 
'I'he  loss 
vere.    Out 

1  II 1 1  wards 

Colonel 
li^ht  bri- 


CnAP.  VIII.] 


MARCH  TO  BLADENSBURO. 


173 


gado,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wood,  command- 1  yard,  tho   vessels,   stores,  provisions,  and 
inn;  the  85th  roj^iinent,  and  Major  Brown,  \  costly  armaments  colh^cted  there, 
who  led  tho  advanced  ;;uard,  wt-ra  all  so-  j       At,  or  near,    the    hous(>  of   tlie    chap- 
verely  wounded,  and  (leiieral  Ross  liimself  I  lain.  Dr.  Hunter,  tlieso  f^looniy  measures 
had  a  horse  shot  under  him."  |  of  self-destruction  \^  .re   in    a;2,lt!Uion  and 

If  this  hostile  were  the  only  account  of  I  action    too,   wher.    all   panj:;s  of  siisjienso 
an  unfortunate  battle,  there  would  be  no-   were  at   lenj:;tli   relieved    liy   coi-tain   tid- 


tliinj^  to  make  an  American  blush  for  the 
issue  of  an  ill-planned  but  well-contested 
action,  in  which  his  countrymen  were  de- 
feated, and  many  fled  in  disorder,  liut  others 
fouj;ht  so  Ijravely,  that,  upon  the  whole, 
there  was  nothinji;  disgraceful  to  the  van- 
quished altogether.  As  Cockburn  rode 
through  Washington  on  his  white  mare, 
or  mule,  followed  by  a  Idaek  foal,  next  day, 
entitled  to  prf)nouncc  judgment,  he  did  so, 
when  li(>ard  to  say,  "  Many  of  your  men 
fought  well,  though  8i»ni(!  did  not." 

The  tli(!rmometer  marked  blood  heat  on 
tho  fatal  24th  of  August,  (!ven  early  in  the 
morning.  (Jeneral  Winder  dispatched  a 
messenger  with  a  note  to  Oeiieral  Arm- 
strong, that  the  accounts  were  more  and 
more  serious,  desiring  the  Secretary's  ad- 
vice what  to  do  in  so  critical  an  emergency. 


ings  thr.t  lioss  was  advancing  by  Bla- 
densliurg,  whither  Winder  forthwith  di- 
rected his  troops  and  proceeded  himself, 
but  left  Barney  with  tivo  hundred  of  the 
best  tighting  men  to  blow  up  tho  bridge, 
which  then  it  was  scarcely  necessary  to  de- 
stroy. About  that  time,  first  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  thou  the  Secretary  of  War, 
came  up.  Mr.  Campbell,  considering  it  an 
exigency  where  personal  delicacy  and  jea- 
lousy should  not  interferes  with  public 
duty,  suggested  to  the  I'resident  that  tho 
presence  and  advice  of  General  Armstrong 
m  the  tield  might  ))e  very  Mseful,  to  whirh 
Madison  assonte<l ;  and  Armstrong,  who 
had  never  taken  any  part  in  the  active  c{jm- 
mand  or  tield  operations,  immediately  rode 
towards  tho  scone  of  action,  to  reeonnoiter 
an<l   communicate  with   Winder.      Before 


Vidette  after  vidette  was  continually  arriv-   Mr.  Madis(m  and  Mr.  Rush  rode  over  to- 


ing  from  scouts,  with  alarming  reports  of 
th(>  enemy's  approach.  Yet  every  one  was 
still  perplexeil  to  discover  whether  they 
would  come  l)y  Alexandria,  Bladensbuig,  >  r 
the  navy  yard ;  near  which  contrivances 
to  prevent  their  crossing  the  Potomac,  by 
placing  barrels  -.f  gunpowder  under  the 
bridge,  and  upon  it  piles  of  fence  rails,  to- 
gether with  the  toll-house  torn  to  pieces  for 
that  purpose,  anticipating  the  ih-struction 
the  British  were  expected  to  commit,  con- 


wavd  Bladcnsliurg,  and  while  Mr.  Jones  was 
on  horseliack  with  them  at  tho  navy  yard, 
Rarney  extorted  leave  to  share  in  the  bat- 
tle, (iallant,  talkative,  turbulent,  and  chaf- 
ing at  his  eontinement  to  IjIow  up  a 
liridgo  some  miles  from  the  scene  of  action, 
between  loud  soliloquy  and  angry  remon- 
strance to  the  crowd  of  boys,  women, 
blacks,  and  idlers  looking  on,  ho  aimed  at 
his  superiors  within  earshot  an  appeal 
against  being  "  kept  with  tivt;   hundred," 


trivances  for  escaping,  not  repelling,  an  at-   saiil  he,  "  of  the  pnjcious  few  fighting  men 

tack,   were   busily   executed   l)y  Winder's  i  to  do  what  any  (1 corporal  can  better 

portion  of  tho  army,  not  less  disquieted  !  do  with  tive."  The  Secretary  of  the  Navy's 
than  Stanliury's  at  Bladensburg  at  tlw  same  '  elaborate  acknowledgment  of  this  rejiroach 
time — united  and  sym]iatlieti(!  in  nothing  ^  fiil  expostulation,  reported  to  the  House  ot 
but  alarms.  The  President,  with  his  faith- 1  Ke]iresentatives  that  the  subject  was  <Jis- 
fnl  black  servant  Jim,  iind  the  Secretary  |  r(/.v,swZ  l)y  tins  President,  heads  of  dejiart- 
of  State,  repaired  on  horseback  to  Winder's  i  ments,  and  ('ommodore  Barney,  which  re- 
quarters  in  fear  of  ctinsequencei.  Among  '  suited  in  an  onhsr  for  his  immediate  and 
the  rumors  came  one,  that  Ross  was  |  rapid  march.  Th(>  fact  is,  that  saucy  and 
marching  for  Bladensburg;  whereupon  Col.  j  lioisterous  complaint,  without  discussion, 
Monroe,  with  the  President's  approbation  '  wrung  jinunpt  permission,  and  rapid  de- 
and  (ieneral  Winder's,  rode  there,  as  it  was  I  parture  from  impulse  much  swifter  than 
not  known  whether  (ieneral  Stanbnry  was  I  order.  Barney,  on  his  Ijay  horse,  hastening 
aware  of  his  jeopardy.  At  nine  o'cdock,  |  eager  for  the  death  lie  soon  encountered,  as 
the  Attorney-(  ieneral,  calling  on  thiMSecre- '  his  master  for  the  wound  of  which  he 
tary  of  War  for  tho  latest  intelligence,  was  ev*Mitually  died,  trotted  olf  at  the  h(<ad  of 
calmly  shown  (ien.  Winder's  (lejecte<l  note,  his  bravo  followers  with  tiicir  great  guns, 
asking  counser.  Mr.  Ivusli,  the  Attorney- ,  hurrying  to  the  battle,  whore  they  arrived 
Gent>ral,  then  rode  to  the  navy  yard,  where  'just  as  it  Ijegau,  which,  without  their  parti- 
ho  finind  Commodore  Tingey,tlie  command-  j  cipation,  would  have  licen  the  Idoodless  rout 
or  of  it,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  (ien.  j  of  tludr  less  resolute  comrades  in  arms,  put 
Winder,  and  the  President,  In  jierturbed  de- :  to  flight  by  a  harmless  discharge  of  rockets, 
bate,  still  inclined  to  flatter  themselves  that  I  The  Sc-.'retary  of  th(s  Treasury  (Mr.  Camp- 
Alexanilria  would  be  first  attacked.  The  i  bell),  dejected  Iiy  the  dismal  condition  of  tho 
Secretary  of  tin;  Navy,  with  the  melancholy  '  financ(<s,  then  near  their  lowest  de]ircssion, 
(hsteriuiiiati(m  of  a  disappointed  lover  who  I  which  he  had  no  turn  for  improving,  after 
kills  himself,  was  busied  with  plans  for  de-  j  loaning  his  duelling  pistols  to  the  President, 
8troyiu<5  the  public  property  at  tho  navy  |  rode  back   from  the  navy  yard  to   Waebi- 


m^ 


'^fM 


'P^i. 


'i]ii 

-r.'^ 


}ff 


174 


■CLADEXSBURG. 

— ♦— 


[1814. 


.^■.: 


SI   5 


ington,  and  noon  after  homo  to  Tennessee, 
vliero  he  n^sifrned  a  hiirtU'u  hard  to  bear. 
The  Secretary  of  tlie  Navy  (Mr.  Jones), 
hem  on  (h'jiartim'ntal  suicnde,  remained  to 
comphite  his  di;  ;  jj;  project  of  destroying 
everything  at  th(>  navy  yard,  as  Barney's  H«- 
tiUa,  ))y  his  order,  had,  in  like  manm  r,  l)een 
saved  from  tiie  enemy  two  days  before.  The 
President,  Secretaries  of  State  and  War, 
with  the  Attorney-fJeneral,  soon  foUowed 
General  Win(h)r  to  IJlaikmsburg,  where 
Madison's  first  order  was  to  revok"'  '  is  first 
permission  to  Armstrong  to  be  an  iictor, 
and  reduce  liim  to  bo  a  merely  is  i.^ted 
spectator  of  the  fight,  the  l^resid  -.it  >  ing 
his  Secivtar^  that  he  had  come  to  .  .other  de- 
termination, and  that  the  military  function- 
aries should  be  left  to  the  discharge  of  their 
own  duties  on  their  own  responsibilities. 

Bladenaburg,   which   innnortalized   that 
most  unlucky  of  American  memorable  days, 
is  an  insignificant  village  of  four  hundred 
inhaliitants,  suri'oundecl  l)y  two  branches  of 
the  Potomac,  there  dwindling  to  narrow, 
shallow,  and  fordalile   streams,   near   the 
town,   through   which  the    highway  from 
Baltimore   to   A\  asliington   passes,  over  a  i 
wooden  bridge  a  fev,-  yards  long,  which  was  I 
left  as  it  was  for  the  enemy's  crossing,  who  i 
did  not  know  that  the  water  was  fordable;  | 
Ijoth  armies  omitting  an  advantage — curs  | 
to   destroy   the  bridge — theirs  to  ford  the  i 
stream.     The  Anacostic,  or  eastern  branch 
of  the  Potomac,  narrows  to  a  siiailow  creek, 
on  the  east  side  of  which  stands  the  village 
of  IJladensburg.    West  of  the  bridge  is  fine 
rising  ground,  with  fences  and  bushes  fa- 
voral>le  for   defence   Ijy  good   marksmoji ; 
and  there  was  a  small  breastwork,  hastily 
thrown  up.     After  the  vexatious  and  ener- 
vating aborts  and  counternnirciios  of  Stans- 
hury's  brigaile  of  the  previous  inght  and  | 
morning,  they  were  well  posted  by  him  in  i 
the  arc   of  a  circle   on  a  slope  near   the 
river,  close  to  the  bridge,  covered  by  artille- 
ry, with  a  mill  to  mash.  it,  and  Pinkney's 
battalion  of  rifles   among    the   Inishes  on 
the  margin  of  tlie  waters  ;  all  having  been  ! 
di8missedfordinnerandem]doyed  in  prepar- 
ing it  when  suiumoned  to  form  for  action.  | 
Colonel  Monroe,  indefatigable  and  anxious.  , 
resolved,  as  he  said,  to  s]>ill  the  last  drop  of 
blood  to  defend  every  inch  of  ground;   but  , 
less   skilful  than   iiitreji.  I,  while  General  ] 
Stansbiiry  and  Smitli,  n.eeting  on  the  fiidd,  j 
were  settling  tlieirreliitive  rank,  and  liefore 
General  Winder  could  arrange  the  order  of 
battle,  Colonel  Monroe   deranged  tlie  front 
rank,   by   an    injudicious    alteration,  con- 
demned' by  Stansbury,  Sterrett,  and  Pink- 
ney,  scarcely  owned   by  Monroe   iiimself, 
anil  which  General  Armstrong  stigmatized 
as   the   blunder  of  a  busy  tactician ;   for 
which,  however,  indubitably  brave  and  in- 
variably   kind,    Monroe   was    not    much 
blamed,  though  that  derangement  of  the 
front  rank  was  a  primary  cause  of  its  ex- 


posure naked,  and  consef|uont  instantaneous 
flight.  !!(!  removed  Sterrett's  regiment 
nearly  a  (|uarter  of  a  mile  from  wliere  it 
originally  stood,  placing  itb  iiimlanorchird 
which  favored  tlio  enemy,  out  of  su]»porting 
distance,  to  cover  the  (Iraftcd  militia,  thus 
left  almost  alone  in  front,  with  two  or  three 
com])anios  of  artillerists  and  a  fe^>  of 
Pinkney's  rifle  battalion,  one  compa:  v  of 
whom  Colonel  Monroe  also  took  away  f'lim 
their  original  station,  near  the  rest.  Win- 
der, who  arrived  during  that  unlucky 
chnnge,  had  not  time,  if  disposed,  to  pre- 
vent it ;  for  the  British  were  thon  in  sight 
descending  the  opposite  hill  to  Bhulensburg ; 
nor  would  Stansbury  venture  to  object,  be- 
cause Winder  was  present.  The  Baltimore 
fifth,  as  Sterrett's  regiment  was  called, 
which  was  deservedlj'  most  relied  on,  in- 
stead of  being  left  near  the  stream,  the  ri- 
ilemen,  the  protected  batteries,  and  in  line 
with  the  whole  front,  were  thrown  behind 
an  orchanl  to  a  ridge  live  hundred  yards 
off,  completely  exposed  to  tlio  enemy,  of 
whom  the  orchard  intercepted  their  sight, 
and  rendered  entirely  useless  to  the  artil- 
lery and  riflemen,  left  unprotected  by  that 
infantry  regiment  from  the  British  assault. 
Aggravating  this  cardinal  error;  numerous 
self-constituted  contrilmtors  of  advice,  sug- 
gesters  of  position,  and  intermeddlers  with 
counnand  ;  gentlemen  of  respectability  and 
good  will;  committees,  a  whole  democracy 
of  commanders,  industriously  helfied  to 
mar  all  singleness  of  purpose  and  unity 
of  action.  Arriving  at  the  bridge  while 
Cohniel  Monroe  was  displacing  the  corner 
ston<!s  of  the  combat,  General  Winder  met 
several  genth.-men,  among  the  rest,  Mr. 
Francis  S.  hey,  not  only  recommending,  but 
showing  wliere  tl.ey  thought  the  troops 
ought  to  be  posted,  riding  to  the  spots  de- 
signated and  confounding  the  outset.  Other 
Instanders  were  present  at  the  spectacle  as 
such,  among  them,  Alexander  McKim,  the 
Baltimore  member  of  Congress,  on  one  of  his 
fast  trotting  horses — a  rich  merchant  who 
said  that,  having  voted  for  war,  he  could 
not  find  it  in  his  conscience,  if  not  to 
fight  for  it,  at  least  to  stand  by  those  who 
di.l. 

In  the  midst  of  this  confused  preparation 
for  battle,  a  body  of  troojis  marched  into 
Bladensburg  l^y  another  ruad  than  that  by 
which  Boss  WIS  coining,  su|>posed  to  bi;  his 
advance,  who  jiroved  to  be  C(d  nd  Beall's 
men  from  Annapolis,  after  a  fouled  tramp 
of  sixteen  miles  that  sultry  morning,  led  by 
a  veteran  of  the  llevohition  ;  who,  among 
the  lamentable  vicissitudes  of  the  day,  could 
not  prevent  his  men  from  deserting  an  emi- 
nence, the  possession  of  which  was  vital  to 
the  issue,  and  where  they  were  posted  far 
above  and  out  of  reaidi  of  every  danger, 
excessively  fatigued,  but  not  too  much 
s»  to  run  away  at  the  gleam  of  a  British 
musket,   in    spite   of  all  their  bravo  old 


[1814. 

iistantanoous 
tt's  rej;iment 
'om  wlioro  it 
ml  an  orcliavd 
)f  su])porting 

militia,  thus 
I  two  or  throo 
<1  a  fcM  of 
!  com  pa  IV  of 
jk  awiiy film 
!  rost.  AVin- 
liat  unlucky 
)os(h1,  to  pre- 
lion  in  sight 
Jladonsburg ; 
to  ohjoct,  bo- 
"lio  Ualtimoro 

was  called, 
■oliod  on,  in- 
rcam,  the  ri- 
1,  and  in  line 
rown  behind 
indred  yards 
10  enemy,  of 
I  their  sight, 
to  the  artil- 
joted  by  that 
itish  assault, 
ir;  numerous 
r  advice,  sug- 
leddlers  with 
otability  and 
,0  democracy 
y  helped  to 
0  and  unity 
tridgo  while 
i;  the  corner 
Winder  met 
10  rest,  Mr. 
nending,  but 

the  troops 
the  sj)ot8  de- 
utset.   Other 

spectacle  as 
McKim,  the 
on  one  of  his 
erchant  who 
ar,  he  could 
if  not  to 
)y  those  who 

preparation 
iarch('<l  into 
tiuiu  that  by 
iod  to  b('  his 

^el  BoaU's 
)iRcd  tramp 
■niiig,  led  liy 
ivhd,  among 
10  day,  could 
ting  an  enii- 
was  vital  to 
.'  posted  far 
cry  danger, 

too  much 
)f  a  British 
•   brave  old 


Chap.  VIII.] 


BRITISH  ATTACK. 
— ♦ — 


175 


Colonel  could  say  or  do  to  prevail  on  them  i  as  he  argued  from  the  uniform  of  the  Balti 


to  stand  fast 

Soon  after  the  British  bayonets  glittered 
in  tlio  blazing  sun,  as  h)aded  with  thick 
woollen  gray  clothing,  sixty  pounds  of  am- 
munition on  each  man's  ))ack,  and  sinking 
with  fatigue,  ]{oss'  little  army  slowly  do- 
pccmled  Lowndes  hill  in  full  view,  without 


more  tiftli,  Pinkney's  ritlcmcn,  at  whose  head 
ho  para<iod  in  all  the  foppery  of  regimentals, 
the  Washington  artillery  and  riHomon,  of 
whom  Burch's  and  StuH's  companies  were 
with  the  fr(mt  lino.  If  the  order  of  jmttlo 
hail  not  boon  deranged,  and  the  Americans 
had  stood  their  ground  a  very  few  minutes, 


music  or  cannon,  except  three  small  pieces  that  hesitation  might  have  prci'acr-d  more;  or, 
to  which  the  saihtrs  were  harnassed,  or  if  General  AVinder  had  not,  hum. inoly,  per- 
cavalry  more  than  fifty  or  sixty  Cossack  I  haps  indispensably  ordered  a  retrcat'whrn, 
officers  ill  mounted  on  sorry  horses,  jaded  j  disconcerted  by  the  almo.  t  instantane  n /; 
and  goaded  along;  altogether,  however,  confusion  and  disorderly  llight  of  the  un- 
approaching  in  the  ronfiilent,  orderly,  and  covered  drafted  militia,  follnwod  soon  by 
commanding  .attitude  imparted  by  experi-  ]  the  Baltimore  fifth,  perhaps  preceded  by 
cncc  in  the  science  of  war,  and  confidence  j  the  riflemen.  The  Knglish  (jiom  ral,  doubt- 
acquired  by  many  victories.  Winder  and  j  ing  whether  to  begin  the  battle,  was  asked 
Monroe  were  surveying  their  approach  with  !  by  an  officer,  "Wiiat  will  lie  said  of  us  in 
glasses,  while  several  of  the  British  officers  j  England  if  we  stop  now  ?"  "  If  it  rain 
from  the  opposite  hills  in  like  manner  re-  j  militia,  then,"  said  lioss,  "  we  will  go  on." 


connoitered  oi;i  lorces,  when  a  person  rode 
hastily  up  to  Wind(ir  with  the  glorious 
news  that  General  Izard  had  totally  de- 
feated Drummond  in  Canada,  killing  and 
taking  a  tliousand  men — false  tidings  which 
General  Winder  immediately  ordered  to  be 
made  known  to  his   dispirited,  perjilexed, 


On  getting  near  the  bridge,  -ifter  the  halt  and 
consultation  with  his  officers,  Boss  finding 
that  he  would  have  to  pass  a  defile  between 
the  bridge  and  a  marsh,  in  front  of  our  bat- 
tery, displayed  in  column  to  the  right  and 
passed  some  men  over  the  ford  higher  up  tho 
crook,  so  as  in  a  manner  to  turn  the  battorV; 


and  timid  militia,  whoso  faint  cheer  argued  i  and  threaten  to  surround  our  weary,  tir.iid, 


that  tlu'ir  alacrity  was  no  more  to  be  re 
lied  on  than  intelligence  which,  whether 
really  received,  or  one  of  the  vagrant  im- 

Iiostures  of  the  hour,  never  appeared,  The 
['resident,  and  Attornev-General  with  him, 
were  in  danger  of  being  captured  while 
riding  bri«kly  towards  Bladensburg,  with- 
out perceiving  that  the  IJritish  wei'c  so 
near  as  to  be  almost  witliiii  musket  range. 
Turning  into  tho  orchard  among  our  troops, 
they  mot  the  Secretaries  of  State  and  War, 
just  before  tho  battle  began.  Mr.  Uush, 
.addressing  some  words  of  encouragement 
to  tho  troops,  was  sharply  tidd  l)yan  officer 
that  his  men  re((iiired  no  exhortation  to  fight. 
The  British  conunai'.ier  hi'sitated  v.iieii 
he  saw  the  Amerlciin  troops  formidably 
posted  on  t'.io  other  side  of  n  stioam,  the 
depth  of  '.thicli  he  did  not  know,  with  their 
front  covered  by  artillery,  enfilading  the 
bridge,  which  was,  as  ho  sur.posed,  his  only 
w.ay  to  cross.  "On  tho  opposite  side  of  the 
river,"  s;<ys  his  offit^ia! account,  "the enemy 
were  posted  on  '•cri/  com»ian<h'ii(/  Iieij/Iifs. 
Artillery  covered  the  liridge  over  which  the 
British    army    h<id  to  }>ii.is."     Cockburn's 


iind  confounded  people.  The  order  to  fire 
our  cannon  before  the  enemy  -  oproached 
tho  bridge,  was  given  by  AVinder,  as  he 
thought  himself,  toe  soon ;  but  he  had  to 
manage  excited,  impatient,  and  uneasy 
troops ;  and  Stansbury's  order  to  destroy 
the  bridge  had  not  been  executed.  General 
Winder's  appndi'^nsion  of  tho  stability  of 
his  men  was  betrayed  by  an  order  to  a 
Captain  of  the  artillery;  to  whom,  as  he 
stationed  him  near  tl.o  bridge,  he  said, 
"  when  you  retreat,  retreat  liy  tho  George- 
town road :"  omip.ms  anticipation,  like 
Armstrong's  .at  tlie  navy  yard,  where,  be- 
fore he  went  to  take  command,  he  said,  in 
the  same  distrust  of  raw  troops,  particularly 
militia,  "  with  their  regulars  and  c  ur  mili- 
tia we  shall  be  beat."  Fears  of  tho  brave 
predominated.  The  British  advance,  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  hundred,  began  their 
movement  against  our  twenty-five  hundred 
people,  to  whom  tho  machinery  of  suliordi- 
nation  was  unknown,  and  the  multitude  of 
commanders  was  distracting.  The  first  dis- 
charges from  our  artillery  were  effectual, 
.anil  the  few  fires  of  tiio  riflemen,  galling: 
account  says,  "  the  British  ti'oops,  ttlmo.it  \  the  enemy  driven  back  from  tho  bridge, 
exhmtstctl  with  fatigue,  and  but  a  suiitll pro-  took  refuge  behind  the  houses,  roposting 
portion  hurinf)  </ot  «/),  did  not  hesitate  to  ]  volleys  of  rockets  to  our  cannonade — niili- 


att.ack  immediately  the  American  force  on  a 
rising  ground  well  protected  with  artillery." 
The  British  author  of  the  campaign  s.ays, 
"the  main  body  paused  till  the  advance 
should  reconnoiter  the  American  position  of 
ffretit  strcit'ith  and  cnmmitiidiixj  attitude." 
J>uring  that  jiause,  lloss  hesitated,  conferred 
with  his  officers,  represented  the  risk  of  as- 
saulting a   force   so   superior,  so  strongly 


tary  meteors  streaming  througli  the  air — 
which.  General  AVinder  riding  along  the 
lino,  encouraged  his  men  to  disregard,  as 
less  dangerous  than  alarming  :  as  they  did, 
while  those  missiles  flew  over  their  heads, 
falling  beyond  them  where  the  President 
and  his  cabinet  stood,  whom  the  General 
then  advised  to  retire  further  back.  Emerg- 
ina;  from  their  cover,  and  urged  forward 


P' 


';. '',''» 


■f  J 


posted,  and  so  many  of  them  regular  troops,  |  by   their  officers,  the  stout  British,  over- 


[v  i 

f 


Mr 


■'I 


fe    .fi      ^ 


176  FLIGHT  OF  ST  ANBURY'S  TROOrS. 

— ♦ — 
loaded,    ind    pantir.o;  v'th   faliu-uo,    ^-ore  1 
hiiHlily  <lfiv(,'n  ov(?r  tho  l)rid;j;o,  at  tlv  Ihhh 
of  a  good   many  killed  ;  and  tlirowiiu-  oft' 
thcii-  knapsiifks,  in  Hiuall  sr|nads,  or  si),;j;ly, 
pnslmd   up    tiio  slope,  sproiidin>;  on    both  i 
sido.s  to  outflank  our  nu'n.     The  elevation 
of  the   rockets    beinj);    clinnn;cd,  and  tlie_> 
aimed  a  i  the  faces  of  the  drafted  militia,  j 
in  a  few  instants  they  'u-oko  and  fod  in  | 
the  utmost  precijutation  and  disorder  •  the  j 
riHomen,    also,   most   of   them,  retreann;;;.  i 
General  AVindor,  with  some  fe»v  of  the    tti- ! 
cers,  in  vain  strove  to  rally  am'  retain  the  i 
fuj!;itives;  orderinj^  the  Ualtimore  tiftfi  to  i 
advance,  who  gallantly  hastened  to  their  l 
support  and  worv;  in  great  danger  of  be.n;;^ ; 
surrounded,  when  General   Winder  made  ' 
the   ."xneriment  of  ordering  them  to  ))er- ' 
form    the    dillicult    military    evolution    of^ 
retr  atiiig    under  pressure;  indispensable  I 
then,  ]>rol  ably,  to  save  tliem   from  being  | 
piirroui!  I'd:    but   when    tiny,    too,    v.iost  j 
oi'  t]i"i:),  tu.)k  to  tli,','it  ifter  the  drafteil  mi- 1 
litia.     In  a  period  oT  time  incredibly  short, , 
the  di.'-order  beor.uK    l.,'tal;  rho  Hight  u'.ii-j 
versa],  irreparable,  vuigoveroii'tle,  bearing  i 
away,  in  its  torrent  of  ciicape,  all  the  front  | 
rank,  witli  the  artillery,  <:'j:  ;<lry,  r',>j;-ulars,  j 
Pi-esidont,    Secr<  t'lric:'-,    ar.d    Oomnjandcr.  ] 
From  that  fai;d  r-';-li/atio;i  of  all  hi*  worst  | 
fears  Mid  want  of  oo.ifidenjo  in  his  troo))s,  ] 
General  \Vinder\-  hopes  ^.lnished,  and  his 
only  and  vain  effort  was  to  methodize  rc- 
treo*,  for  ■«  hieh  ho  gave  repeated   orders, 
etri,.:ig  to  no  jiurpese  to  prevail  on  the  fu- 
gitives not  to  divnerso  and  fly  across  the 
iiolds,  but  fall  b;>e'c  on  the  highroad,  so  as 
to    bo    somewhere    united    with    General 
Smith's  reserve  in  the  rear,  and  make  with 
thent    another  stand  ;  though  where   that 
shot:!  i  be,  had  not   been  designated;   no 
place  (,f  retreat  having  over  been  fixed,  or 
thought  of,  when  retreat  seemed  to  be  the 
sole  anticipation. 

Brave  freemen,  many  of  them  gentlemen 
who  would  not  hesitate  to  risk  their  lives 
ia  deadly  combat,  witliout  spectators  or  the 
excitements  of  battle,  on  a  point  of  honor 
or  tritlo  of  controversy ;  athletic  and  inde- 
pendent mechanics,  artisans  or  yeomc-n,  like 
the  staiJipede  of  a  herd  of  buti'aloes  or  wihl 
horses  in  the  prairie,  fiuulling  or  dreading 
distant,  imaginary  danger,  took  to  their  j 
heels  with  the  swiftness  of  delirium,  and 
ran  till  overcome  by  the  fatigue  which  ex- 
hausted and  arrested  them.  Tlie  only  dijath 
on  the  retreat  was  said  to  be  that  of  a  cap- 
tain of  tlio  re.ijular  army,  of  approved  cour- 1 
age,  taken  with  the  contagion  of  unanimo\is  i 
panic,  who  ran  with  the  crowd  till  he  fell, 
fainted  and  expired. 

"  We  hail  scarcely  fired  three  rounds," 
said  an  olHcor  of  the  Washington  artillery, 
Mr.  John  Law,  "when  the  lino  of  the  Bal- 
timore militia  liogan  to  break ;  several  of 
the  fifth  Biltimore  regiment  also  fled.  Ge- 
neral Winder  ordered  us  to  retreat,  in  con- 


[LS14. 


seriuenco  of  the  flight  of  the  militia.  The 
British  column  hid  Just  then  begun  to  ad- 
vance. Not  a  man  of  our  company  had 
l)e(!n  touched  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy ;  r.nd 
I  thought  that  the  battle  was  only  then  seri- 
ously commencing.  After  retreating  about 
a  hundred  yards,  wo  were  directed  to  con- 
tinue tho  retreat,  nor  wore  wo  ui  any  thee 
told  where  to  rally."  Pir.kne\'s  riHenten 
fled,  without  his  orders,  8i!miitai>i''.iis1y  with 
tho  artillery,  tho  whole  falH'ig  ]>;-'<  on  tl.o 
fifth  regiment,  ■which  thox  sti'i>d  alono  to 
reeoivo  the  enemv,  outflan!;J;r,r  'honi  liIm;'' 
sides  in  a  bituatimi  extreiiieiy  criiical,  anu 
kept  its  gsMond  with  ^teailine  until  ordered 
by  Winder  to  retreal,  when  tho  necessity  for 
it  was  ob^  ions.  As  ALij  )v  I'inkney,  without 
fiis  horse,  '.alked  away,  with  five  or  six  of 
the  last,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Jonathan 
Meredith,  of  tho  iit';!!,  tho  i  nemy  very  close, 
hi  fi re  inces^;  11)  tth', •ugh  inaccurate. a  musket 
ball  broke  I'inkney  s  nvm  when  ii;  iiiin"  at 
i-isk  of  cai)turo.  '!xci  pi  the  Pv.sident  -i'  tl 
Sorretaries,  Piiikiuy,  it  taken,  vnuld  ha\e 
been  their  s))olia  oj/ima,  for  he  had  often 
represented  liia  country  at  the  court  of  St. 
James,  and  was  tho  dnittsman  of  the  doela- 
r.ation  of  war  against  < treat  Britain,  for  in- 
tolerable excesses  of  tliiil  maritime  domina- 
tion, of  which,  in  many  of  its  postulates, 
ho  was  at  the  Suiircui"  <'  'urt  of  the  United 
States  the  most  clotjueui  and  powerful  ad- 
vocate for  their  incorporation  with  tho 
American  code  of  prize  law. 

"  The  engagement  was  but  short,"  in  the 
unvernacular  report  of  Lieotenant-Colonel 
Laval,  a  Frenchman  who  c  innnmded  two 
just  mounted  troops  of  United  Stat(>s  caval- 
ry, posted  in  a  ravine  whence  they  never 
issued  but  to  be  borne  off  the  field  in  the 
deluge  of  flight.  "All  of  a  sutlden  our 
men  seemed  routed.  A  confused  retreat  ap- 
peared to  bo  in  almost  every  corner  of  tlu; 
battle-ground.  An  artillery  company  drove 
through  the  gate  near  our  ravine,  crushing 
down  several  of  our  men  and  horses,  nearly 
taking  ofi'  and  breaking  my  thigh  by  the 
blow  of  a  wheel,  hurrying  away  one  of  my 
troops  M'ithout  my  orders,  leaving  me  ahjne 
with  Captain  Burd  and  fifty-five  dragoons." 
The  regular  infantry,  when  advancing  to 
fight  and  ready  to  charge,  were  earnestly 
deterred,  and  told  to  save  themsidves. 
After  a  total  route  of  the  various  frag- 
mentary corps,  some  at  last  sto]iped  at 
Tenlytown,  two  miles  and  a  half  beyond 
Georgetown,  without  going  near  Washing- 
ton, which  they  left  deserted,  in  its  solitude 
and  trepidation.  "  At  Tenlytown,"  said 
General  Winder,  "  such  of  them  as  could 
be  kal/eJ,  gave  themselves  up  to  the  uncon- 
trolled feelings  which  fatigue,  exhaustion 
and  privation  produced,  and  many  hun- 
dred^, in  spite  of  all  precautions  and 
efforts,  passed  on  and  pur.sucd  their  way, 
either  towards  home,  or  in  search  of  re- 
frcshmenls  oud    quarters."     None   slaiu, 


rn.  .'    ■«;! 


[1814. 

Tillitia.  Tho 
Ijoj^iui  to  11(1- 
oin}iaiiy  liiul 
)  oiiciuy ;  raid 
lily  tlioii  Hori- 
•etvtiii;;  about 
i!Ct('(l  to  eoii- 
i  lit.  any  t'uuo 
in'.s  rlHi'incM 
iini'^i^ly  With 
]>:;"-;  on  11, e 
Doil  alono  to 

'luMSl  .l.llloM' 

orii'ii'dl,  ;nut 
until  orilerod 

iioeosHity  for 
cnoy,  without 
live  or  six  of 
Jr.  Jonathan 
iiy  very  ctuse, 
viitcamuskot 
1  in  iiini''  ent 
Vjsidfnt  'lid 
,  V  ould  ha^o 
ho  had  often 
13  court  of  St. 
1  of  tho  docla- 
ritaiii,  for  in- 
tinio  doiuin.a- 
s  ]i(!8tulatos, 
of  the  Unitoil 
powerful  ad- 
m    with   tho 

hort,"  in  tho 

Miant-Colonel 

inianded  two 

StatoH  eaval- 

0  they  never 

iiidd  in  the 

sudden  our 

cd  retreat  ap- 

orner  of  the 

iiipany  drovi; 

ne,  eruHhin;!; 

iiirses,  nearly 

Ihi^^h  by  the 

ly  one  of  my 

inj;;  me  alone 

0  dra;i;oona." 
ulvaneing  to 
jro  earnestly 

theinselven. 
I'arious  fraj;;- 
.  stopped  ut 
half  beyond 
'wv  Wasliing- 
n  its  solitude 
town,"  said 
em  as  couhl 
:o  the  uncoa- 
',  exhaustion 

many  hun- 
autiona    and 

1  their  way, 
eareh  of  re- 
Mono    slaiu, 


Chap.  VIII.] 


MADISON'S  RETIIEAT. 


IT' 


few  wounded,  Itut  all  struck  with  terror,  the 
tlij^ht  from  rockets,  renewed  linilis,  wearied 
liy  8leo[dess  ni;^hts  and  (N)iinter-niarchin;r 
days,  and  j;;ave  stn^n.t^th  for  disj^rai-e  when 
nau<;ht  was  lost  but  honor  and  soH'-p(;sses- 
sion. 

On  the  straw,  in  tho  same  tent,  taken 
from  their  thrice  driven  beds  of  ilown  and 
comfortable  homos,  among  the  JJaltimore 
volunteers  were  William  Couke,  Nicholas 
]{rico,AVilliam(iilinore,. Jonathan  Meredith, 
Klchard  Dorsey,  llichard  Magriider  and 
James  McCulloch,  fi^entlemen,  whoso  lives 
and  limbs  their  associate,  (ieneral  Winder, 
sineorely  deplored  the  dire  necessity  of  "^-f- 
posirT  in  hostilities  which  he  did  not  ap- 
prove, reducing  them  to  the  level  of  the 
scum  of  British  poor-lious(>s,  ]>risons  and 
beer-shops.  JohnOlenn  servci'.  as  a]irivate 
in  the  ranks,  lutth  at  tin'  battles  of  Hladens- 
burg  and  l»altimore.  None  of  them,  fortu- 
nately, were  killiMl,  and  but  few  woundi'd.  Of 
these,  the  jiresent  First  (\im|)tr(dler  of  the 
Treasury  of  the  Uiiit(><l  Stat('s,  Mr.  McCul- 
loch, r(;(!eiving  a  musket-ball  in  the  lej;;,  was 
abcnit  to  be  carrie(l  off  the  field  by  his  com- 
mander, first  Lieutenant  William  ("onke, 
an  estimable  gentleman  still  living,  and  Mr. 
John  1*.  Ivennedy,  since  distinguisln^d  l)y 
his  writings  and  pub'ic  services  as  member 
of  Congress  represen  ng  Baltimore.  While 
performing  that  ajt  of  kindness  to  Mr.  Mc- 
Culloch, lioth  M..  Cooke  and  Mr.  Kennedy 
wei'o  wounded  and  obliged  to  leave  him  to 
his  fato  when  captured.  Taken  to  IJla- 
densburg,  and  laid  with  many  other  wound- 
ed in  the  same  room  at  Ross'  tavern,  his 
private  station  was  an  object  of  incredulity 
to  his  IJritish  superintendents,  surprised  that 
one  so  widl  clad  could  be  a  common  soldier. 
"  I  have  been  many,  many  years,"  said  an 
Knglish  corporal,  "in  the  army,  all  throuiih 
Spain,  part  of  France,  and  now  brought 
over  here  to  America.  I  envy  you  that 
Wound,  oiKi  like  which,  or  death,  is  my  only 
hi)]te  of  retirement  or  a  piMision." 

Not  farw(>st  of  Bladensliurg,  just  beyond 
the  line  whicdi  separates  the  federal  city 
from  the  State  of  Maryland,  a  short  dis- 
tance off  tho  road  from  Washington,  is  a 
dingle,  embosomed  in  a  sunburnt  amphi- 
theatre of  trees,  secdudcd,  and  from  assn- 
ciations  no  less  than  location,  dismal  slirinc, 
consecrated  to  human  sacrifices,  to  the  van- 
ity, whicdi,  however  contrary  to  law,  if  not 
reason,  ludther  has  be(>n  abh^  to  supjiress, 
and  wbiidi  in  this  country  is  mor(!fVe(|ueiit, 
intiderant  and  ferocious  than  any  oth(>r — a 
spot  well-known  as  the  duelling-gi-ound.  On 
that  spot,  iKit  long  before  the  battle  of  1>la- 
densbiirg.  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasuvy 
shot  his  antagonist,  Mr.  Gardenier,  through 
the  body,  both  members  of  Congress,  in  a 
party  duel.  Decatur,  surrounded  by  brother 
naval  oiHcers,  fell  there.  A  senator  of  tin; 
United  States,  the  father  of  a  gallant  young 
man,  Captain  Mason,  lately  killed  in  Mexico, 
12  ^ 


lost  his  life  there,  horribly  fighting  with 
muskets  at  pist(d  distance.  Alanv  more 
victims  to  that  vanity  of  honor  wlindi  pro- 
vokes d(>ath  to  escape  shame,  have  braved 
it  in  that  cold  shade,  siuno  of  them  in  fpiar- 
rels  proiluci'd  by  the  battle  of  Hhnhuisburg, 
some,  perchance,  c(uirting  death  there  who 
were  among  the  for^n1ost  in  flight  from  the 
mere  hiss  of  a  rocket.  Such  is  that  wayward, 
anticpie  virtue  venerated  as  courage!  near 
whos(>  heathi'n  temple,  in  the  guise  of  duels, 
hundreds  of  votaries  fled  victims  of  un- 
manly timidity. 

1{(!fore  our  troops  })roke,  while  showers 
of  rockets  were  flying  where  the  ['resident 
stood,  he  was  iMMiuested  by  (ieneral  AVMmler 
to  retire  out  of  their  reacdi,  and  with  his 
cabinet  he  withdrew  by  inglorious  but  not 
ignominious  retreat:  although  everything 
ileiiionstrated  that  a  fndd  of  batthi  was  not 
.Mailison's  tiieatve  of  action.  AVilkinson's 
maligning  ai'count  imputes  to  General  Arm- 
strong the  ass(>rtion  that  the  litf/c  iumi,  as 
the  asptn'sion  is  couched,  said  to  the  veto- 
ran  whom  he  would  not  allow  to  tight. 
"Come,  (ieneral  Armstrong,  come,  ('(donel 
Monroe,  let  us  go  and  leav(>  it  to  the 
eonitnanding  general" — words  whitdi  may 
well  liav(>  b(^en  used  without  inferring  the 
gross  imputation  extorted  from  them.  It 
is  extreme'v  uncommon  for  conspicuous 
men,  surroundeil  as  the  President  was,  to 
betray  apprehension,  even  if  they  feel  it. 
Armstrong,  when  the  troops  tied,  gave  vent 
tohismortificatiim  in  strong  terms,  address- 
ed to  the  President,  of  disgust  at  so  base  and 
cowardly  a  flight,  and  no  doubt  the  Presi- 
dent, amazed  and  confounded  by  tho  trepi- 
dation of  the  troops,  retired,  as  ('olonel 
Monroe  did,  disheartened,  (Jeneral  Arm- 
strong indignant,  and  IMr.  Hush,  the  young- 
(>st  and  finly  hoping  one  of  the  administra- 
tion, ashamed,  soon  fdlowed  by  (ieneral 
Winder,  ilemoralized  by  the  whole  cd'  the 
front  liio'  vanishing  in  wild  disorder  from 
the(onfli<'t.  During  the  day  Mr.  IMailison 
fre((uently  <les]iat(died  notes,  penciled  on 
liorseba<'k,  to  his  wife,  to  keep  her  informed 
of  its  vicissitudes.  The  two  months'  abor- 
tive ])r(>paration  and  despondent  misma- 
nagement from  the  first  cabinet  council  of 
tl'.e  first  (d"  duly  seemed  clusing  in  a  fit 
of  despair.  More  than  Winder  feared 
and  Armstrong  predicted  of  inexperienced 
troops  was  realized  in  the  twinkling  of  au 
eye. 

The  day  was  by  no  means  lost,  however. 
Many  a  memorable  battle  has  ended  avcU 
after'  a  bn.d  bi^ginning;  and  there  wsis  no 
cause  to  despjiir.  As  our  cannons  and 
their  rockets  were  filling  the  air  with  co- 
ruscations, and  shaking  the  earth  with 
(uimmotion,  Harney  led  his  men  full  trot  to 
a  post  between  Stansbury  and  Smith,  and 
with  IMiller's  marines  tho  great  guns  were 
arranged  not  far  from  the  duelling-ground  ; 
where  a  force  more  inferior  in  numbers  to 


■^•;-^;fi 


m^ 


178 


BARNEY  AND  MILLER. 

— -* — 


[1814. 


r  y  ■ 


It  ^- 

J>  ■  . ;  ■  ■ 


J^ 


the  cnomy  tlian  thoirs  was  to  our  front 
wh(Mi  tlioy  put  it  to  tlij^ht,  for  more  tlian  iiu 
hr)ur  ropiilscd,  lisiffliMl  and  dcfi-atod  tlio 
iiritisli.  If  our  Hank  had  not  lioon  liarod 
])y  tho  dosortion  of  HcaU's  militia,  tiic  bat- 
tle of  niadcMislairj;  nii;;lit  after  all  have  been 
un  Amin'iean  vietory ;  won  l)y  enlisted  men, 
without  the  individual  bravery,  intellij^iHiee 
or  jiridi!  of  the  militia  and  volunteerM,  who 
HO  Hoon  de.serteil  their  eolor.s,  but  sustain- 
ed bj'  the  eoura;;e  of  vorps,  praetiscd  to 
obey  their  ollicers.  Some  five  hundred  and 
sixty  watermen  and  marines,  well  armed 
with  artillery  and  musketry,  commanded 
by  determined  leaders,  with  no  other  sun- 
port  than  C(jlonel  Beall's  militia  on  a  nei<;h- 
borinji;  eminonee,  wove  en(iu<j;h,  whih?  their 
flank  was  covered,  to  retrieve  the  fijrtuncs 
of  the  day,  which  fur  mure  than  an  hour  they 
held  in  susjionse.  While  tin;  front  W(>re  in 
full  retreat   across   the  Uelds,  IJarncy  and 


fusion  is  in  his  confounding;  the  front  rank 
with  till!  second.  Thens  was  no  charj^e  of 
bayonets  on  the  second,  no  att(!m|)t  at  it; 
on  the  eontrarv,  the  8r)th,4thand44tii  regi- 
ments repeatedly  advancing; /(((ran/s  Barney 
by  the  road,  were  as  often  driven  back  ;  and 
retreated  ijuite  as  fast  as  the  Maryland  mili- 
tia from  Barney's  overwhelmin;^  cannonade, 
mowin<^  them  down.  But  wh^^n  Colonel 
Thornton,  Lieutenant-CVdoncd  Woo<l  and 
Major  Brown  were  disabled  by  wounds. 
Captain  Hamilton,  Lieutenants  Codd  and 
Stavely  killed,  with  not  less  than  two  hun- 
dred men  who  were  buried  there  after  the 
action,  the  British  veterans  retreated  In  con- 
fusion, leaving  for  a  considerable  time  the 
AnuM'ieans  masters  of  the  field,  deserted 
though  it  was  by  all  those  who  contmenced 
the  cnga;jcment.  The  only  approximation 
to  a  chargi^  of  bayonets  was  whe»i  the  Brit- 
ish were  sutferetl  by  Captain  Mille;-  to  ap- 


Miller,  pointing  their  cannon  and  reserv- ;  proach  within  fifty  yards,  and  then  demo 
ing  their  fire,  watched  Thornton's  ap- 1  lished  bv  both  great  guns  and  musketry, 
proach  along  the  r(jad,  from  which,  again  I  admirably  fired  by  the  marines,  from  whose 
and  again,  tlu'j'  drove  him  by  destructive  \  deadly  discliarg(!s  as  many  (  f  theeninuy  as 
volleys,  strewing  the  road  with  British  j  could  escape  ran  back  to  a  ravine  covered 
dead.  AVhen  I  ])ass(>d  along  tlun-e  three  '  with  wood,  in  which  they  sought  shelt(>r. 
Avecks   afterwards,   tlu!   siile    ditidics   were  |  During  a  long  hour's  ineft'i:ctual  eft'ort  to 


filled  with  numerous  corpses,  their  forms 
plainly  visible,  barely  covered  with  earth, 
and  in  the  hospital  and  street  at  Bladens- 
hur;;  I  saw  many  prisoners  and  wounded. 
In  British  regimentals,  an<l  the  sides  of 
the  houses  perforated  liy  cannon  balls.  Re- 
peated atti  ;ni)ts  I)y  Colontd  Thornton  to 
advance  wcve  repulsed  every  time,  till  he 
ami  several  other  prominent  officers  being 


carry  Barney  and  Miller's  open  positiori, 
after  t!ie  whole  of  Stansbury's  force  had 
disapi)eared,  that  position  was  nobly  main- 
tained, till  at  length  (ieneral  ibiss,  leaving 
the  porch  where  he  stood  in  Bladensburg, 
put  himself  at  the  head  of  his  fresh  troops, 
the  s(^cond  brigade  just  arrived,  and  livavely 
led  them  to  renew  tlu'  assault,  when  his  own 
liorso  was  shot  under  him.     Toiled  in  every 


shot  down,  (ieneral  Ross  himsidf  was  obligi'd    attemp.  to  carry  the  batteries  in  front,  an<l 


to  lead  on  reinf  ircenients  from  the  second 
l)rigad((,  which  he  brought  into  a(!ti(m  as  it 
arrived.  Still  the  day  was  ours,  n<itwith- 
standing  the  flight  of  the  front  rank,  and 
disapp(!arance  of  generals,  secretaries.  Pre- 
sident and  a  bust  lif  gentlemen  counsellor 
combatants.  Ross  was  compelled  to  aliandon 
the  road,  when  not  a  vo.stige  remained  of 
the  twenty-five  hundred  .Vmcricaiis  with 
whom  t!ie  battle  beg  in,  (except  Beail's  eight 
hundre<l  militia  on  their  eminenei! covering 
the  mariii".  batterii^s  of  Barney  and  Miller, 
impregnable  tiioiigh  inifortified.  (ii'iier.il 
Ross's  official  ro]iMrt  confounds  anil  misre- 
presents transactions  at  this  crisis  of  the 
engagement,  when  it  is  not  (wtravagant  or 
irrational  to  aver  that  one  liunlredof  the 
youth  from  the  military  academy  of  AVest 
Point,  posteil  where  Beall's  militia  were  — 
one  hundred  well  trained  youths,  armed 
with  the  mere  power  of  military  knowledge 
and  scientific  confid(!nce,  ])reserving  Barney 
and  Miller  from  being  turned,  would  have 
changed  American  into  British  defeat. 

"Tlie  American  first  line,"  says  Ross, 
"giving  way,  was  driven  on  the  second, which 
j'ielding  to  the  irrc<i-;tiblo  charge  of  the 
bayonet,  and  the  well- lirected  discharge  of 
rockets,  got  into  confusion."     But  the  con- 


abandoning  t!:e  road,  Ross  finally  succeed- 
ed by  turning  his  attaek  upwards  against 
Beall's  covering  party  on  JJarney's  Hank. 
Beall  insistecl  that  his  militia  did  not  tly, 
as  Barney  staled,  after  a  fire  or  two,  but  af- 
ter several  rounds,  retreated  by  order  of 
(ieneral  Winder,  d(divered  to  Cidoind  lieall, 
))y  Jidm  E.  Howard,  volunteer  aid  of  (iene- 
ral Winder.  If  so,  it  was  his  most  unfor- 
tunate order  on  that  day  of  mistakes,  for 
when  Beall's  men  retreated,  Barney  and 
Miller  were  left  entirely  exposed  in  think, 
\vher<(  several  hundred  of  the  British  mount- 
ed the  hill,  too  Iiigli  ujt  for  our  artillery  to 
reach  them,  whence  overh;inging  Ibirney 
the  enemy  fired  laterally  down  on  liiin.  shot 
his  horse,  which  fell  between  two  cannon, 
and  'd(!ven  of  his  men,  who  all  laid  dead  in  a 
small  circle  around  him.  The  gallant  com- 
modore, just  as  he  was  about  reluctantly 
withdrawing  from  an  untiuiable  position, 
received  a  ball  in  the  upper  jiart  of  his 
thigh,  which  was  ne\(;r  extractivl,  and  of 
which  wound  ho  died  several  years  after- 
wards. His  ammunition  nearly  exhausted, 
his  ammunition  wagons  having  gone  oft' in 
the  general  [lanic  and  (light  of  the  front,  two 
of  his  sailing  masters,  Warren  and  ^larlln, 
killed,  and  a  third  also  named  Martiu  wound- 


ux 


[1814. 

ront  riii\k 

('liiiri;o  iif 
npt  at  it ; 

44tli  I'oj;!- 
<ls  Hiinicy 
liiu'k ;  and 

land  inili- 
imnoiiado, 
n  Colonel 
V%)0(1   and 

WOUIldH, 

('(•lid  and 
1  two  Imn- 
aftor  tho 
tod  in(!on- 

0  time  tlio 
deserted 

ninieneed 
oxiniation 

1  the  IJi'it- 
lle;:  to  ap- 
lien  denio- 
niusketry, 
roin  wliose 
?  (>n(Mny  as 
nc  covered 
ht  slielt(>r. 
1  et^'ort  to 
1  jiositiiiri, 

force  had 
ol)ly  inain- 
<s,  leaving 
idensliurg, 
csli  troops, 
ind  liravcly 
len  his  own 
ed  in  every 
front,  and 
ly  siicceoil- 
\h  a;j;ainst 
ey's  Hank, 
lid  not  tly, 
fwo,  hntaf- 
\-  order  of 
onel  jjeall, 
id  of  (leno- 
lost  nnfor- 
stakes,  for 
iarney  and 
1  in  Ihmk, 
lisii  nionnt- 
artlilery  to 
n;;  Barney 
I  him, shut 
vo  (;annon, 
iddeiid  in  a 
iillant  com- 
rehatantly 
0,  position, 
lart  of  liis 
ed,  and  of 
ears  after- 
exhausted, 
i^one  ofi'  in 
;  IVont,  two 
ml  j-Iiu'lin, 
•tiawouud- 


Chap.  YIII.] 


BARNEY  AND  MILLER. 


179 


od,  with  eleven  of  his  men  killed — in  sneh 
forlorn  anil  desjierate  i  ircnnistaiiees  he  or- 
dered a  retreiit  to  save  tin'  reniaindrr.  His 
hrave  companions,  takin;^  their  ij;allant 
leader  from  the  ;j;ronnil,  were  carry iii'i:  him 
away,  which  loss  of  hlood  rendered  inipos- 


Af^ainst  this  clinr^o  the  extended  order  of 
the  British  ti'oops  wonld  not  permii  thi'm 
to  oiler  an  elfeclnal  resistanc",  and  they 
wori'  accordin;;ly  home  hack  to  the  very 
thicket  upon  the  river's  hrink,  where  they 
maintained    themsidves    with    di'termined 

o 


sil.h^ ;  wJM'n  he  called  a  IJritisii  soldier,  and  I  olistinaey,  repcdling  all  attemjits  to  drive 
directed  him  to  hring  an  ollicer,  to  whom  I  them  throu;^h  it ;  and  fre(|uently  following 
Barney  .surrendered.  Captain  Wainwright,  !  to  within  a  siiort  distance  of  the  cannon's 


of  the  British  navy,  treating  him  with  th 
generous  courtesy  which  hrave  enemies 
randy  withhold  from  each  other,  soon  intro- 
duced liarn'\v,  stretched  on  the  earth,  to 
two  oflici'rs  >vho  came  up,  ntiming  them 
Cieneral  Ross  and  Adminil  dAinvu,  as  the 
IJi'itish  pronounce  what  i^  spelt  Coc/ihurn. 
]5arney.  who  was  acipiainted  with  Admiral 
Cochrane,  looked  ujiand  said,  "that  is  not 
Admiral  Coi-hrane?"  "  N.>,  sir,"  said  Cap- 
tain A\'ainwright,  "it  is  .\ilmiral  Ci/liurn." 
"Oh,"  said  the  commodore,  gaily,  "  Cor/,- 
hurn  is  what  you  are  called  liereiilpoiits," 
with  wliicli  nierrv^rrci'tini;' mutual  civilities 


mouth  such  parts  of  the  eiu-my's  line  as 
gave  wav.  In  this  state  the  action  ccui- 
linued  till  tin'  second  brigade  had  likewise 
crosied  and  fornu'd  upon  the  right  hank  of 
the  river,  when  the  4-lth  regiment,  moving 
to  the  right  and  driving  in  the  skirmishers, 
dehouched  upon  the  h'ft  Ihuik  of  thi-  Anu'- 
ricant  ami  completely  turned  it.  In  that 
ipmrter,  therefore,  the  hattle  was  won  ;  he- 
cause  th(^  raw  militiamen,  who  were  sta- 
tioned there  as  being  the  least  assailal^le 
jpoint,  when  once  broken  could  not  be  rallied. 
But  on  thi'ir  right  the  enemy  still  kejit  Iheir 
round  with  much  resolution,  nor  was   it 


began,  till!  ca;itors  soothing  their  lively  lu'i-i  till  tiie  arrival  of  the  Ith  regiment,  and  the 
soner  with  reiined  attentions;  giving  him  I  advance  of  the  British  forces  in  firm  array 


his  choice  whether  to  be  taken  to  Wasiiing- 
ton  or  Bladensliui'g:  rlacing  him  on  a  litter, 
covering  his  fu'c  with  a  hanilkercliief  to 
shield  il  from  the  scorching  sunlieams,  and 
Cap(;iin  AVain^vright  substituting  four  sail- 
ors for  the  soldiers  heaving  thi'  litter,  "be- 
cause," said  he,  "my  tars  will  carry  you 
easier  than  those  rough  fellows  ;'' sending 
a  .surgeon  to  examine  his  wound,  and  other- 
wise in  all  res])ects  demonstratiag  their 
sense  of  his  gallant  and  deadly  resistance 
to  them.  For  nothing  removes  nadoiial  or 
jiersonal  animosity  with  brav>;  foes  nuire 
than  couragi'ous  deliau'-e,  and  never  is  l-^ng- 
lish  contunHdy  towards  Americans  turned 
to  respect  by  unmanly  or  unpatriotiu  re- 
verence. 

"15arney  was  a  brav  oflicei."  Ciener.'il 
Ross  said  afterwards  wiien  in  Washington. 
"With  only  a  handful  of  men  he  gave  us  a 
sevor(>  shock.  I  am  sorry  he  was  wounded, 
inunediately  gave  him  parole,  and  hope  he 
will  do  v.ell.  Had  halftho  army  been  such 
men  as  he  commanded,  with  the  American 
advantatie  in  chonsing  )>osition,  wo  should 
never  h;i\  i>  got  to  Washington."  It  cannot  be 
said, however.that  Barney  chose  liis  position. 
An  English  military  witness  further  testifies, 
"Instead  of  ]iausing  until  the  rest  oi'  the 
army  c  ime  up,  they  ligliteiied  thems  dv(>s 
by  throv.iiig  away  their  knapsacks  and  ha- 
ver.sacdvs,  and  exteiiiiiiig  their  raidc.s  so  as 
to  show  an  equal  front  with  the  enemy, 
pushed  on  to  the  attack  of  tlie  second  line, 
i'ho  Americans,  however,  saw  tludr  weak- 
ness and  stood  lirm  ;  and  having  the  wlnde 
of  their  artillery,  with  (he  exci>ption  of 
those  captured  on  the  road,  and  the  greater 
part  of  their  infaut'-y  in  this  line,  they  first 
chcek(!d  the  ardor  of  the  assailants  by  a 
heavy  lire,  and  then,  in  their  turn,  advanced 
to   recover   tho   ground   which  was    lost. 


to  the  (diarge,  that  they  began  to  waver," 
kS:e.  Xor  was  the  virtory  a  idioap  one,  even 
over  such  a  desciiiition  of  force,  thux  inju- 
diciously placed.  "  The  loss,"  continur  <  tho 
Knglish  author,  "  on  the  part  of  the  Knglish 
was  severe,  since  out  <<i'  two-thirds  ijf  tlie 
army  whiidi  were  engaged,  upwards  of  five 
hundred  nuui  were  killed  ami  wounded, 
and  what  rendered  it  doubly  severe  was 
that  among  tliese  were  numbered  several 
officers  (d'rank  and  distinction. 

"Of  the  sailors  it  would  be  injustice  not 
to  speak  in  the  terms  that  tludr  comluct 
merits.  They  were  eni[doyed  as  gunners, 
and  not  onl\-  tlid  they  serve  the  guns  with 
a  quickn(>ss  and  jirecision  which  astonished 
th,  il  i'.ssailants,  but  th''y  stood  until  some 
of  th  an  were  actuidly  bayonettcd  with 
fusees  in  their  hands." 

It  wa"  stated  by  the  British  in  Washing- 
ton, thai  when  Rarin'y,  grateful  for  tho 
kindness  of  the  English  soldier  whom  ho 
called  to  surrender  to,  offered  the  man  lii.s 
wati'li,  the  ICnglishnian  deidined  it,  saying, 
"  I  fan  help  a  brave  nuin  without  J>ay." 

Captain,  now  Lientemint-Colonel  Miller, 
of  the  nnirines,  on  that  day,  when  bravery 
was  so  rare  a  virtue,  was  bravest  of  the 
brave.  As  in  neither  army  was  there  a 
stouter  heart,  so  neither  was  there  a  finer 
figure  of  his  tall  and  well-formod  eotintry- 
men  ;  in  the  flower  of  manhood,  erect,  hancl- 
some,  with  an  eagle  eye,  gracefully  leading 
his  highly  disciplined  ci>m]iany ;  his  last 
ex])loitthe  unu.'aial  single  combat  in  which 
he  fell  like  a  ILanan.  I'nwilling  to  yield, 
even  when  the  enemy  from  al)ovo  were 
overhanging  and  about  to  surround  him, 
ascending  an  elevation  to  reconnoitcr.  Cap- 
tain Miller  (from  whom  it  need  hardly  be 
added  that  this  account  is  not  derived), 
came  suddenly  ou  a  brave  enemy.    Each 


Y! . 


''I 


'■'.IH 


I  ; 


;v;<ii. 


'' 

i  '■■. 

'■"'J' 

■i^'; 

» 

V' 

'■V 

n 

180 


MIN'OKS  liKrn.MEXT. 


[1814. 


i 


Invnllril  nt  Ills  iiiitii'j;. <nist,  liri'cl  mul  niiHscd, 

in      tlic     IIIll'X|lirt('(l     .lud     riiM;i,Iil     widimif 

«iii:illi'ii^(>,  iissistiiiUN,  or  niiilici'.  ISitli  ri'- 
I  .lulc'il  tli''ii'  nmskcts:  uml  wliilc  .Miller  \v;im 
fixiiij;  Ills  (lint.  Ill'  I'l'll  IViiiii  ^  slmt  Avliicli 
liriiki'  Mm  iinii  to  ]ii''-i'M.  Ills  iimijiicrnr 
oxtiillril  Ills  (•iiiiijiiif.  iiMil  111-  Wiis  tn'iiti'il, 
Ii!;r  Hiiniry,  wltli  tin'  iitriint  klinliii'ss.  It 
was  Dili'  of  till'  straii;;!'  iValiiri'M  i\'(  that  ills- 
l!':;iiroii  iMiiiliiit  that  tlu'  mily  part  i>;  <ii'ii. 
AViiiiliM''s  aniiy  wlm  niaili'  any  iiiii>n'ssii)ii 
(III  till)  fill'  l>y  I'lf'i'rtiial  ri'slstaiua',  ilir  wa- 
tormcii  mill  iiiiivini's,  wito  luani'i!  to  tlio 
gi'iienil  liy  the  Soci'i'tivry  oi"  I  In-  \iivy,  uii- 
<li'r  wliiisi'  orilcvs  tlicy  f'uriiir.l  a  ilistiiu-t 
corps.  I!ut  liy  his  iicniiissiuii,  or  tin'  I'ri'- 
siiliMit's,  tlii'sc  liravc  iiicii.  In'iiijj;  nrlthrr  sol- 
diers nor  sailors,  roiihl  liavi'  hail  no  part  in 
tlu  liattli'.  Till'  .''^I'l'i'i'tary  was  illsposi'il  to 
Btation  tlu'ni  all  at  I'oi't  Warlmrtoii,  wlirri' 
tlii'y  mi^lit,  p(trliaps,  have  saveil  .\lexaii- 
driiv;  Imt  it  was  only  at  (ieneral  Wiinler's 
earnest  iiistanee  that  tliey  were  alloweil  to 
make  part  nl'liis  inoMilile  I'oree  in  the  fielil. 
or  Miller's  111'  men,  six  were  killeil  ainl 
lil'teeii  woiimleil,  Ir'sIiIi's  hiuiselt'  ami  Caji- 
taiii  Se\ier. 

Alter  iiarney  ai.il  Millm's  defeat  anil 
rotreat,  Koss  atteiiipteil  iintliln^  fnrtlier. 
One-fifth  of  his  army  was  killeil,  wuuinled, 
or  iiiissiii}!;,  for  tlioy  deserted  wlioncver  they 
could;  and  the  rest  were  so  entirely  over- 
come by  their  labors  and  exertions,  tVoiii 
oarly  in  the  inoriiln;i;  till  four  o'eloek,  that 
thoy  W('r(>  incapable  of  further  effort.  I'est 
was  indisponsable  to  thoni :  and  as  they 
lay  asleep  on  tin'  f;-round,  it  was  15arney's 
opinion,  freely  expressed,  that  .KM)  m  .11  dis- 
cij)Iin(!il  cavalry  coiiM  have  rode  tiir"ii;.;;li 
and  taken  them  all,  almost  without  wakiiij;; 
tlu'iii  from  their  heavy  slumbers. 

"  Dulcisctaltn  (juies  placidajque  simillimamorti." 

Cockburn's  jocular  and  contemptuous 
official  reason  i'er  nut  jairsuin;;!;,  was,  that 
the  victors  wi^ri'  too  weary,  and  the  van- 
quished too  swift. 

The  victory  was  won,  however.  After 
Barney  sind  Miller  were  taken,  scarce  ano- 
ther Hliot  was  lired,  or  eiuh^avor  made  to 
prevent  the  iiiemy's  uiiojiposed  triiini  pliant 
entry  into  AN'asliinjjtoii,  which  Ross  nljourn- 
cd  till  evenliif!:,  only  because  his  iio'H)  sur- 
viving men  were  unable,  without  I'epose, 
either  to  fi;i;lit  or  march  more.  But  General 
"NViiuhsr  did  not  intend,  for  some  time,  to 
abandon  tho  city  without  aiiothor  struggle. 
Dispatchliiji;  a  gentleman,  Mr.  JUggs,  to 
inform  the  l*resident,  who  had  gone  tow  aids 
home,  that  he  desigiR-il  to  try  what  would 
have  boi'ii  the  thlril  art  inn  of  the  day,  he 
bent  all  his  enileavors  to  eoneeiitraling  as 
many  of  his  remaining  tro "jis  as  could  be 
collected,  with  Gei  ral  ISiiiilb's  reserve, 
which,  after  some  difficulty  and  partial 
engageiiioiit,  remaiiud  entire  in  nuinbero, 
Bjiirit,  and  great   anxiety  to  defend  their 


families  and  dwellings  from  the  nppreliend- 
ed  honors  of  ('oekliurn's  iiciii|  ation. 

Soon  after  sunset  of  the  'Jlld,  while 
Winder  was  rallvlng  his  little  iiriiiy  to 
Washingloii.  a  \  irgiiila  regiment,  under 
Colonel  Minor,  reached  there,  eight  hun- 
dred men,  ^\  hose  presence  at  the  battle  next 
day  might  ha\e  turned  its  fortune.  A\'hy 
they  were  not  iireseiit,  as  told  by  an  intel- 
ligent eye-witness,  |)r. .James  Mwell,  is  a  cu- 
rious explaiialioii  of  the  whole  transaction. 
Mostof  the  regiment  came  without  iiiiisketHl 
scarce  iin  arm  had  tliesi-  workmen  without 
tools,  or  lireiiH'ii  without  water,  hastening 
to  save  a  building  from  conllagratloii.  Con- 
ducted by  the  I'i-esideiit's  direction  to  tho 
Seeretary  of  Wwv  to  get  arms  and  aminiini- 
lion,  (ieneral  .Armstrong  directed  Colonel 
Minor  to  make  his  men  put  in  order  the 
few  guns  they  li;td  brought  with  them,  and 
III  report  himself  next  morning  to  Colonel 
Carberry,  who  would  furnish  additional 
arms.  All  that  the  regiment  eoiild  do, 
therefore,  oil  the  i>ve  of  the  battle,  was  to 
go  to  sleep  in  the  Ca|iitol.  AVhile  Winder 
from  below,  and  Ross  were  hastening  to 
Washington,  and  .Stansbiiry  at  Rladens- 
biirg  passed  the  night  in  weary  ahsrtH, 
the  N'irginia  auxiliaries,  without  muskets, 
powder,  or  ball,  went  to  r(!st  in  (lu!  hall  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  next  day  to 
be  laid  in  ashes  by  a  force  whiidi  800  well 
arined  and  resolute  men  might  have  kept 
from  a))))ri)aching  it  without  inevilable  and 
utt(!r  discomfltllr(^  Karly  next  morning, 
wdien  Colonel  iMlnor  sought  (-oloiud  Car- 
berry  for  anus,  he  had  gone  the  evening 
before  to  sleep  at  his  I'ountry  seat.  After 
several  hours  of  provoking  delay,  a|i]iealing 
to  General  AViiuhir,  Colonel  Minor  was  at 
last  able  to  find  Colonel  ('arberry,  who 
furnished  the  muskets:  liut  without  tlints! 
Finally,  the  tlints  were  ol)tain(!d :  but  the 
cl  rk,  who  supplied,  deemed  it  jiart  of  his 
untiini'ly  economy  and  official  accounta- 
bility to  count  them  cart^fiilly,  iis  delivi^red, 
one  by  one,  as  if  they  were  dollar's,  and  be- 
fore delivering,  to  count  them  over  again, 
lost  there  might  bo  some  mistake.  The 
fire  of  till'  lliiit,  sung  iis  what  warms  the 
American  jieople,  never  was  so  slow  to 
kindle.  Jlinor  did  not  get  his  regiment  to 
tli(^  last  position  of  the  American  troops  till 
tho  fighting  was  all  over,  and  nothing  but 
to  retreat  remained  to  lie  doiK!.  A\  bile  the 
tlints  wiM'o  coutiting  the  last  cannon  were 
lired.  One  of  tho  retorts  to  the  N'lrginia  ac- 
cusation of  negligence,  tardiness,  and  ineffi- 
i'leiu:y  of  Hii|iplles,  was,  that  their  regiment 
did  not  w.ant  to  be  armed  In  time,  or  take 
part  in  the  action,  but  lingeicii  on  purpose. 
.Minor's  regiment,  IJrent's  and  Magruder'a 
district  regiments,  and  suidi  othei-  troops  as 
could  be  kept  together,  altogether  not  le.ss 
than  two  thousainl  well  armed  men,  with 
Peter's  artillery,  remained  unterrilied,  and, 
as   thoir  commanding-general,  Smith,   in- 


CiiAP.  VIIT.] 


WASIIINr.TON  KVACrATEP. 


IHI 


siNtcd,  iitixioiiH  ti)  inert  tho  oiu'iny  win-re 
tlicy  viTc,  iilMiiit  two  miles  frdin  AVasliiiiir 

tiin.  liilH  ieiievill  M  ilnler  deemed  it  [iril- 
ijelit  to  order  llielii  In  lid)  iiMek  fVoiii  liii' 
IMiF'itioM  tliey  oeeil|iied,  and  rellletillitl  V  left, 
to   ailotiier    Ijeiirer    llie    city,  wliere    111-  eiili- 

tem|diiled  miilciii;:;  ii  .Mtiiiid.  Arri\ed  niid 
liiilted  there,  liowevcir,  lii>  ordered  tliem 
ii;;iiiii  to  retire  to  tlie  Capitol,  wiiere  tliey 
were  finally  to  await  tln^  enemy.  'I'liere 
(ieneral  Arnistronj;  suffifi'sted  tlirowin;:: 
tlieni  into  {][>'.  two  wiii;is  of  tliat  stone, 
stron;;  1  mi  Id  in  jr.  as,  at  the  Imttle  of'tiernmn- 
town,  Cidonid  Mnsj^rave,  willi  (iUO  I'lritisli 
troops  in  Chew's  stone  house,  withstooil  and 
del'eiiteil  Washinrrton's  whole  army,  nnudi 
)iiore  iinnmrous  and  lietter  |irovided  than 
Ifoss's.  I'lit  (ieneral  Winder,  with  warmth, 
rejeeteil  the  proposal.  His  I'oree  was  too 
mindi  rediice(l  and  dispiriteil,  he  nr;;ed.  lor 
the  desperate  resistance  re(piirc(l  ajrainst 
assfi.nlts  circinnvi'ntinj;  them  in  an  isidaftil 
l)\iildin;:',  wln-re  in  twenty-lour  hours  tliey 
niifiht  he  stiir\ed  into  unconditional  sur- 
render: Co]on(d  iMonroe  eoiticiiled  with 
(ieneral  Winder'.s  ojiinion.  Th(!  Capitol,  he 
feared,  mi;;ht  provi'  a  cul-de-sac,  from  whi(di 
there  would  he  no  escape;  the  only  safety 
was  to  rally  on  the  lieij^hts  of  (ieorj^ctown, 
heyond  Wasliinj;ton.  For  the  seventh  time 
that  day  a  retreat,  therefore,  was  once  moi'c 
commandeil.  In  anf;uish.  and  with  louil 
execrations,  some  of  them  in  tears,  the  city 
troojis,  with  tiie  rest,  for  the  last  time, 
turned  their  hacks  on  the  enemy,  tlien  fast 
asleep  on  th(^  parched  earth,  mort*  than 
cannon  shot  from  the  capital.  'I'o  desert 
their  liomes,  families,  and  dwidlinifs,  to 
inarch  de;rrad(;d  hy  their  forsak(  n  wives 
and  (diildren,  leavinjj  all  they  had  or  che- 
rished to  the  barharities  of  an  enraired  and 
inliuman  invader,  was  insnp]iort;ilile.  I'nth 
at  their  lir-t  order  to  retreat  toward  the 
(.'aiiitol,  and  their  last  to  retreat  from  it, 
and  march  li(>yond  the  city,  insuhorilinate 
jn'otests,  oaths,  tears,  and  hitler  eom]ilaints 
i)r(ike  forth.  'I'o  preserve  order  in  ranks  so 
demorali/,(Ml  and  (h-j^radcd,  was  impossihle. 
Broken,  scattered,  lic<>ntious,  and  tumultu- 
ous, they  wandered  alonj;-  the  central,  s(di- 
tary  avenui',  which  is  the  };reat  entry  of 
Wasliinj';toii ;  when  arrived  at  (leor^^etown, 
wore  a  niero  mob,  from  wliom  it  v»'as  pre- 
posterous to  .sujiposo  that  an  arm}-  could  lie 
or;:;ani/ed,  to  maki!  a  stand  there,  and  in 
nearly  as  threat  disorder  as  tho  runajri^tes 
who  preceded  thorn  across  the  ii(dds,  with- 
out vcnttirinp;  into  tho  city,  th(^  remnant  of 
disjfraced  freemen  roaclicd  'renlytown  in 
uttor  mortification  ;  tlusn*  to  bo  disturbo<l 
and  alarmed  noarly  all  lujiln  by  the  confla- 
gration, as  they  had  reason  to  b(dievo,  of 
every  liouso  in  Washington,  whose  lurid 
Uames,  with  the  dotonations  from  the  navy 
yaril,  w<m'0  the  shocking  sij!;hts  and  souniis 
of  all  tho  surroundiuff  (iountry,  tilled  with 
fugitives  of  both  sexes,  all  ages,  aud  thou- 


-!ni(l8  of  tlieni  ni'^n  of  conrajjr,  Mleopinjf  on 

ir   arms,      llroken,   scalteied,   and    dls- 

;.:usl''d.  most  wended    their   way   to    .Mout- 

;romerV     co\irtdlouse,      (il'tcen      miles      111, 111 

(ieorjretown.    where    their    nnc|uestionalily 
brave  but   ill-slai'ied  and   ill-aihiscd   coni- 
I  nmnder,  stun;;  with    poijrniiiit   sori'ow,  de- 
plored that  lie  had  not.  at   Nottiiijrliam,  at 
th(!  old  fields  at   lihiilensbnr^,  at  Washiiiji- 
i  ton,    somewhere,    if  tiot    everywhere,    less 
!  si'ru|iulons  of  Idooclshed.  by  fVi    r  expeiidi- 
!  ture  id'  that  of  his  fellon-citi/iiis  and  nei;;-h- 
bors,  sa\ed  the  capital  <d'  hi-  country  from 
profanation,  and  its  national  'dniracter  I'rvm 
i  imhdible  dis;i-race. 

I      The  Cossack  rush  which  Armstrong:  care- 
',  lessly  predicted,  was  realized  in  tho  shame- 
'  ful  results  now  to  be  described. 
I      Not  exceiMlin"-  lifty  or  sixty  of  the  van- 
I  (piished    killed   or    wounded,    a;j;ain>t     tho 
siufiular  contrast   of  fi\i'    humlred   of  the 
victors,  was  reversal  id' the  conimon  odds  of 
casualties  on  such  occasions,  provin;^  that 
more  AuH'i'iean  lixcs,    nnwisidy    hoarded, 
w<'ro   th(^  idii'aji    ]irice   due    for    savinjj;    ho 
much  lost  honor.      But,  from    the    iNlh  (.f 
dune,  when    the  autocrat  of  all    the   Kus- 
slas  couns(dled  an  American  envoy  in  Lon- 
don to  war  for  peac'c;  as  safer  than  to  bej; 
'  for  it,  till  tho  la-t  tread  of  the  hostile  heel 
on  American  soil,  terror  disarmed  the  seat 
of  jioverinuont :  drcail  of  tho  vast  resistless 
I  power  of  British  arms. 

I  From  tho  first  alarm,  tho  Sen-rotary  of 
j  tho  Navy's  constant  care  was,  to  destroy 
I  tho  now  Hloo]i-(d-war,  Arj^us,  afloat,  with 
I  ten  f^uns  inounti'd  ;  a  new  schooner,  tho 
j  Lynx,  also  afloat;  fiv(!  barjijos  comiiletely 
!  ('(piijiped,  two  ^jun  boats,  tho  lari;(-  IVijrato 
j  Colunddii,  on  the  stocks,  nearly  ready,  to 
bo  launched,  nunu-rous  buildin^is,  on^iinoH, 
fixtures,  lar;::i'  i|uantities  <if  cord.ij^e,  can- 
vass, saltp(-tro.  copper,  iron,  bhjck  tin,  lead, 
blocks,  ship  chandlery,  naval  and  ordnance 
stores,  b(-of,  jiork,  whiski-y,  jdank,  tindjer, 
valuable  aruniments,  which,  at  a  full  ca- 
binet (-ouncil  hold  at  the  navy  yard,  in  the 
morniii}!;  before  that  '-iittle,  on  tho  Socrc- 
tary'.s  earnest  rt-comioeiu'ation,  were  doom- 
ed to  self-destruction  in  the  event,  little 
doubted,  of  tin-  enemy':-i  ^(^ttinp;  possession 
of  tho  city,  thou;j;h  ihat  mijiht  have  been 
without  also  capturinii;  tht*  navy  yard, 
wdiert!  thi>  armaments  were  Huflicioiit  to  beat 
him  (df :  and,  if  not,  it  wa.s  impo.ssiblo  for 
him  to  carry  them  away:  all  ho  could  do 
was  what  we  did,  to  destroy  them.  In  the 
same  despondent  hour,  when  (jeneral  "Win- 
der dechu'i  d  there  that  Fort  AN'arburtoii 
was  not  tenable,  and  (ieneral  Armstron;^, 
that  our  army  must  bo  beat,  the  same 
bodiiifi;  dejection  pronounced  sentence  on 
the  naval  e((uipments.  At  four  o'clock  in 
tin;  aftei-noon,  more  than  three  hours  lieforo 
Rosrt  marched  iiito  the  city,  tho  connnand- 
ant  of  the  navy  yard  received  a  mc^sajie 
fi'oni  tho   Secretary  of  AVar,  that  he  could 


•;"!'^; 


•I 


:.,tf 


m  ■ 


182 


WASinXOTOX  SAOKKI). 


n 


8H, 


protect  liiin  no  lonpor ;  nntl,   ncodnlinjtly, 
took   iiiinicdiiito   iii(';i>iur«'M   to  rxrciiti'    Iuh 

Itositivc  onliTs,  a^^iiiiist  wliicli  tln'  r('>(jH'('t!i- 
)1(!  iiihiiliitiiiits  tlii'i'c  ri'iiioiistiiiti'il,  ciitrt'iit- 
\i\<i  tlic  (•oiiiiiioddi'c,  lit  li'MMt  tip  (li'liiy,  if  nut 
ti'liiii(iiiNli  it.  I'.vcii  a  (li'|iiiiiiti(iii  (if  till' 
Wdiiii'ii  waiti'd  (III  liiiii,  with  llicir  pravcr  tn 
Hparc  tiie  |iri>|n'rty.  Ami  ('a|iraiu  <'!Ti;rli- 
tmi,  111"  till'  na\y,  stri'inmusiy  rrmuiistniti'l. 
oH'i'i'inj^  til  ili'i'.'inl  till'  yanl  IVum  any  at- 
toiutit  to  ili'stniv  or  take  it.  Tlie  cnliini'l  uf 
inaniii's,  of  wliii'li  tlii'vc  woro  nunc,  cmnscil 
till'  riviT  in  a  liuat  to  Vir;;inia.  ('a|itain 
Cr('i;;liton  having;  olitaiiicil  a  slinrt  respite, 
while  he  rudi'  nut  iin  Imrseliaik  to  recon- 
niiitcr,  rctiirneil  an  ei^lit  o'clock,  still  nv;;- 
inj;  that   the  pmiicrty    nii;j;lit  he  .«aveil  hy  !  niiscumlnct 


tlio  raiiititl,  ho  Hrrs,  "thoflroxTT,  p-'noil  -.^ 
th(>  fiiriiii/,  were  thcrcfiire  alnio^'  imnieili- 
iitely  nfiiniin!  ami  set  im  fire;  iitlcr  which 
till'  town  xiiliiiiitti'il  witliiiiit  furlluT  renist- 
iince."  .Ml  of  this  is  even  more  ahsnrtl 
than  false.  'I'he  olher  houses  set  on  tiro 
were  not  near  Sewnll's  house.  One  of  them 
was  (icneral  \\'asliin;:toirs  hoii-ie,  the  nn- 
]irovokei|  ili'struction  of  which  (Icneral  lloss 
iiiiich  rc;rri'tteil  when  informed  o»'  its  own- 
ershi|i.  The  whole  story  is  ii  pretext,  dis- 
claimed liy  the  /.'cneral ;  as  it  was,  and  still 
is,  the  uiiaiiinioiis  impression  of  those  wlio 
had  any  intercourse  with  him,  that  the 
less  nniicneroiis  and  less  rapacious  younj; 
irencral  disap]!rovcil  much  nl'  the  ]iiratical 
f  his  inival  insti'Mtor,  whoso 


resistance.  IJiit  'riiij;ey's  po-iitive  orders  I  dfllcial  account  of  his  harharitics  is  with- 
were  then  olicyod,  the  niatciies  applied,  and  j  out  exani]dc  in  modern  warfare.  His  pre- 
in  a  feu  minutes,  the  whole  was  in  irretrieva- 1  text  lor  devastation  is  pleaded  with  uncivil- 
Me  coiilla.i.rration,  salutiii;;,  hy  loud  detona- 1  i/ed  atrocity.  "On  takin;;  possession  of 
tions,  sunset  and  the  Uritish  march  to  the  j  the  city,  we'also  set  (ire  to  the  I'resident'a 
capital.  ,*^o  ;;roundlcss  was  the  terror,  and  :  palace!  the  Treasury,  and  the  War  Ollico. 
mistaken  the  policy,  dictatinji  .\merican  ile-|  In  the  mornin;;.  Captain  ■\Vainwrii;;ht  do- 
Htructioii  at  till'  na\3' yard,  that  only  two  stroyed  whatever  stores  and  liiiililini;s  had 
lirass  pieces  were  tliercspikcil  liy  theenemy,  [  oscaped  the  flames  the  jirecediu'^  ni;i;ht. 
whose  alarm  was  so  near  akin  to  our  own,  ;  A  lar^^e  quantity  of  ammunition  and  ord- 
na,  in  his  hurry,  to  leave  several  hundred  j  nance  stores  was  likewise  destroyed  hy  us 
iron  cannons  uninjured,  and  also  the  ar-  in  the  arsenal,  as  were  aliout  two  hundred 
senal,  not  far  olf,  an  important  repository,  pieces  of  artillery  of  different  calihres,  ns 
of  which  their  views  and  orders  especially  i  well  as  a  vast  ijuantity  of  small  arms.    Two 


II 


rciiuired  the  demolition,  lait  which  escaped 
liotli  American  and  Uritish  madness. 

llavinj?  fjiven  his  exhausted  sohliers 
some  indis|iensal)le  repose,  lloss,  with 
<'ockliurn,  attended  hy  a  liody  j^nard  of  two 
hundred  hayonots,  and  saluted  by  the  ful- 
niinations  frmn  the  navy  yard,  rode  slowly 
into  the  wilderness  city,  whoso  population 
was  liut  ei;:;ht  thousand,  scattered  over  lari;e 
spaces,  and  of  whom  almost  every  male 
was  then  ahsent,  either  in  arms,  some  dis- 
tant Iiidiii<;-place,  or  a  few  keepinjj  close  in 
their  dwellings.  Many  passed  the  nifiht 
in  huts  and  corn  fields  around  the  town. 
The  first  eonsidcralile  dwclliiif;  the  encmv 
was  to  pass  had  Iteen  Mr.  (iailatin's  resi- 
dence, the  house  of  Mr.  Sewall,  some  hun- 
dred yards  east  of  the  Capitol.  From  be- 
hind the  side  wall  of  that  house,  as  is  sup- 
posed, at  all  events  from  or  near  to  it,  a  soli- 
tary musket,  tired  by  some  excited  and 
perhaps  intoxicated  p(!rson,  believed  to  be 
ii  well-known  Irish  barber,  but  never  ascer- 
tained who  was  the  perpetrator,  no  (hnibt 
aimed  at  (iemjral  i'oss,  killed  the  bay  mare 
lie  rode.  In  his  official  report,  no  mention 
is  made  of  thtit  wanton  and  indefensible 
outrage.  ]5ut  his  naval  eonipanion,  the  ad- 
miral, in  his,  not  only  introilueos,  }iut  exaj;- 
geratos  and  falsifies  tho  incident  into  what 
ho  denounces  as  "many  similar  acts  of  uni- 
versal wanton  enormity;"  absurdly  eallin;» 
it  n  /ieai\i/  firo  from  the  Cajn/of,  wliich  was 
more  than  twice  gunshot  distant.  The 
falsehood  is  at  once  yialpaljlo  when  ho  adds, 
that  the  other  hotitm  from  which,  as  well  as 


rope-walks  of  a  very  extensive  nature,  full 
of  tar  ropes,  &c.,  situate  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  yard,  Avere  likewise  set  firc 
to  and  consumed.  In  short,  sir,  I  do  not 
believe  a  vestige  of  ]aibli(r  projierty,  or  a 
store  of  any  kind  which  conlil  be  converted 
to  the  use  of  the  government,  escuped  de- 
struction. The  bridges  across  the  eastern 
branch  of  the  Potomac  were  likewise  de- 
stroyed. This  </rncnii (li'ni.'<f(i/i<iii  being  com- 
pleted, we  mandied  at  night  on  the  return 
to  Marll)orough."  The  oliji'if  of  the  expe- 
dition, both  (icneral  Ross  and  Admiral 
Cochrane  officially  reiiorted  to  their  govorn- 
ment,  was  the  complete  destruction  of  the 
]uiblii!  buildings  :  barbarism  which  Vienna, 
Lisbon,  I'erlin,  Amsterdam,  iSIailrid,  Mu- 
nich, Moscow,  and  i'aris,  were  not  subjected 
to  when  cajitured  in  this  century.  But  nei- 
thi'rof  those  superior  officers  countenances 
Cockburn's  false  pretence,  that  a  sporadic 
and  sudden  individual  outrage,  |irovoked 
and  justified  extemporaneous  and  general 
devastation.  The  author  of  the  British  cam- 
paign states,  that  before  marching  into  tho 
city,  Uoss  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce  with  terms, 
wliiidi  was  fired  upon  from  the  window  of 
one  of  the  houses,  killing  the  general's 
horse,  who  accompanied  the  jiarty.  "  Con- 
duct so  unjustifiable,  so  direct  a  breach  of 
tho  law  of  nations,  roused  the  indignation 
of  every  individual,  from  the  general  him- 
self down  to  the  private  scddier.  All 
thoughts  of  accommodation  were  instantly 
laid  aside,  troops  advanced  forthwith  into 
the  town,  and  having  put  to  the  sword  all 


idiiiipdi- 
ti  r  wliifh 
1  r  resist- 
I'l'  iiljsnrd 
't  "11  tin! 
•  '  I'l'ilaMn 
'.  till'  iin- 

I'l'lli  IlllSR 

its  own- 
'•icxt,  (lis- 
.  and  still 
(111 ISC  who 
tilllt    tlio 
MIS  _v(iim;» 
|iinitii'iii 
ir,  wlioso 
in  with- 
Flis  pro- 
tli  uiu'ivil- 
I'ssioii    of 
'rcsidf'iit'a 
I'lir  OHlco. 
vi'iitlit  do- 
tiliiij^s  had 
11'^   ni;;ht. 
iind  ord- 
yi'd  liy  us 
'  iinnilrod 
lilircM,  as 
IMS.    Two 
iituro.  full 
''niliie  dis- 
"fi"  set  firo 
,  I  do  not 
iprt}',  <ir  a 
ootivortod 
■iciijicd  do- 
ln'  eastern 
:ewisn  de- 
H'iii;;  coni- 
the  return 
the  expo- 
Admiral 
ir  >;ovorn- 
ion  of  tho 
li  Vienna, 
drid,  Mu- 
sulijected 
Hut  nei- 
utenanpcs 
I  sporadic 
provoked 
j  fiennral 
itish  cam- 
K  into  tho 
itii  terms, 
"indow  of 
general's 
■.     "  Con- 
hreach  of 
tlijrnation 
cral  him- 
ier.      All 
instantly 
vith  into 
sword  all 


Chap.  VIII.] 


DEVA.STATION. 


18." 


who  wore  found  In  thf  house  from  wliieh  tho 

sliiitM  were  tired,  and  redu I  it  to  ashes, 

they  proeeeded,  without  a  moment's  delay, 
to  liurn  and  destroy  everythinj;  in  the  most 
distant  de;;re(>  eonueeted  with  novernmejit. 
In  Ihis  general  devastation,"  Ikt'.  "All 
this  was  as  it  should  lie,  und  hail  the 
arm  of  vengeaneo  extended  no  further, 
there  would  not  have  heen  room  given  for 
Hii  nuu'li  UN  a  whi.s)ier  of  disap|iroliation. 
Hut,  unfortuiuitely,  it  did  not  stop  iiero ;  a 
iiolile  lihrary,  Hcvoral  printing  otiiees,  and 
all  tho  national  archives,  wen*  likewise 
committed  to  tho  flames,  which,  though  no 
doulit  tho  prop(>rty  of  govcrnniout,  might 
hetter  have  been  H]>aro(l.  It  is  not,  how- 
ever, my  intention  to  join  the  outcry  whii  h 
will  prohahlv  ho  raised  against  wdat  they 
will  term  a  lino  of  conduct  ai  oneo  harha- 
rous  and  unjirolItaMo.  Far  from  it;  lean- 
not  help  ailmiring  tho  forliearance  and  liu- 
nmnity  of  tho  British  troops,  since,  irritat- 
pil  as  they  hadeverv  right  to  ))e,  they  spared, 
an  far  as  was  possdile,  allprivate  property; 
not  a  single  house  in  i\w  place  lieing  plun- 
dered or  destroyed,  except  Hint  from  which 
the  generars  hiu'se  had  lieen  killed,  and 
those  which  were  accidentally  thrown  down 
by  th('  explosion  of  the  nuiga/.ines." 

As  tho  aV)sconding  government,  with 
crowds  of  their  atfrighted  fugitives,  co- 
vered with  dust  an<l  enveloped  in  cdouds 
of  it,  Inirried  into  Washirigton,  tho  cry, 
from  all  (piarters,  was,  "tho  ruffians  are 
coming!"  Uecolh'ctions  of  Hampton,  Cra- 
noy  Island  ami  Uaisin,  dismayeil  every 
breast.  The  unanimous  ett'ort  was  to  pscajio 
anticipated  and  exaggerateil  horrors.  ,Save 
tho  women  and  chihlren,  was  the  entreaty 
of  sonu' ;  but,  as  in  such  ])anics.  self  )>re- 
dominatod  ov(!r  tho  ethics  of  kindred  and 
proprieties  of  decorum.  Women  in  con- 
vulsions, children  wild  with  fi'ar,  and  men 
paralyzed  with  it,  slaves  ami  servants  escap- 
ing, carts  bearing  oft'  whatever  could  lie 
saved  in  more  delirious  panic ;  such  was  tho 
scene. 

'i'liat  tho  roniplffr'  th'stnivfidn  of  oven  only 
piilillf  buildings,  officially  reported  by  the 
ciininian<ling  admiral  and  general  to  their 
government,  was  tho  o/;/w/ of  tho  expedition, 
is  of  aiithentii!  and  undeniable  record.  If 
the  treaty  signed  at  (ihont  in  Uccember, 
was  put  off  till  thon  from  tho  peace  of 
Paris,  in  April,  in  order  that  the  Hritish 
government  might,  by  its  military  and  na- 
val instruments,  d<diborately  commit  so 
atrocious  a  violation  of  civilized  warfare, 
nothing  since  tho  Mussulman  d(!struction 
of  the  .\lexandrian  library,  oven  with  (iib- 
bon  supposing  that  fabulous,  has  occurred 
so  inhuman  and  infamous.  Tho  unknown 
caitiff  who  attem])ti'd  to  assassinate  (joiic- 
ral  I'oss  is  much  le-^s  detestable  and  un- 
pardonable than  tho  uicinbor  of  tho  govern- 
ment, ministry,  monarch,  regent,  or  Avho- 
©ver  the  miscreant  may  bo,  guilty  of  the 


inf1nit(dy  greater  outrago  of  postponing 
peace  for  sc\criil  months,  after  the  causes 
of  war  had  ceased,  in  order  to  devastate 
the  iiublic  edilices  of  ail  enemy's  c;:pital. 
.Murli  more,  however,  than  that  was  done. 
.Many  private  Imuses  were  dcslroyeil  with- 
out the  slightest  pretext.  Sevvall's  house 
was  Justly  laid  in  ruins.  Hut  tlu!  other 
private  dwellings  burned  wore  not  near  it. 
I'hey  wore  the  residences  of  unoll'cndiiig 
persons,  at  some  distance  from  tho  jilaco 
of  the  solitary  siiot  fired  by  a  concealed  in- 
dividual ;  one  of  them  the  pi-operty  of  AN'ash- 
ingt<in,  which  illiistrales  without  aggravat- 
ing tho  enormity  ;  and  tho  allegation  of 
firing  from  the  Capitol  was  worse  than  uii- 
fiaimled.  Would  it  had  been  so!  Itiit  not 
a  human  being,  except  tlu!  barbarians  who 
set  firo  to  that  pile,  dared  to  approach  it  or 
them.  I  hiring  th(>  twenty-eight  hours  of 
his  hostile  occu|iation  of  AVashington,  (Jene- 
ral  Itoss  was  exeniplarily  careful  of  private 
prop(>rty.  piiiiished  his  soldiers  for  violating 
it,  and  displavcd  just  aversion  to  the  pirati- 
cal depredations  of  his  naval  associate,  by 
whom  )iillago  and  private  incendiarism 
were  added  to  that  onlered  by  tho  Ilritish 
governniont;  habitual  jiropensities  of  Hri- 
tish seafaring  rapacity,  indulged  during 
eighteen  months  ol'  (Jockburn's  sway, 
throughout  the  watiu's  of  the  Middle  States. 
The  general  obeyed  the  order  of  his  supe- 
riors when  ho  apidied  the  torch  to  public 
buildings.  The  admiral  gratifieil  his  trucu- 
liMit  instincts  of  brutality  when,  exceeding 
those  incondioiis  orders,  ho  set  fire  to  rope- 
walks,  printing  presses  and  jirivate  habita- 
tions. Partners  in  tho  shanio  and  mean- 
ness of  tliesf!  Vandalic  offences,  general, 
admiral,  minister  ami  govornnient  are  all 
guilty:  but  tln^ro  are  shailes  of  criminality, 
which  entitle  Uoss  to  acknowledgment  that 
he  appeared  averse  to  burn  even  tlu^  ]iublic 
buildings  ho  was  charged  from  Loiulon  to 
destroy,  that  he  revolted  at  tho  destruction 
of  private  jiroptM-ty,  and  that  his  authority 
was  exerted  to  iiunish  the  ])ilfcriiig  traus- 
grossious  of  his  inferiors  and  check  tho  un- 
sparing d(!vasti)itioiis  of  his  naval  associate. 
iMisled,  as  I  have  reason,  after  careful 
and  thorough  investigation  to  believe,  by 
the  author  of  the  Knglish  anonvmoua  nar- 
rative of  the  campaign,  and  possibly  biassed 
by  the  folding  ho  could  hardly  fail  imbibing 
against  Monroe  and  Madison,  (iencral  Arm- 
strong, in  his  Notices  of  the  AVar,  a  work 
generally  accurate,  however  sometimes  in- 
dulgent of  animosity,  asserts  an  important 
circumstance,  concerning  which  his  oppor- 
tunities of  information  were  good,  but 
which,  nevertheless,  is  not  well  founded. 
Tho  statement  is, "  that  the  two  commanders, 
naval  and  military,  visited  tho  public  build- 
ings, sd  a  price  on  their  ransom,  and  de- 
tached an  aijent  to  open  a  neijotiation  vith 
some  eompefeid  American  authority  on  the 
subject.    The  return  of  tho  messenger  with 


■;#'' 

'"^y 


i  • ; 


*!! 


184 


ill 

7 

W  '^' 

1 

h ,  , . 

S«j. 

.»   •♦ 

J  /*■ 

^  " 

;  i> 

f;^. 

P^ 

v' 

If 

■  \,'" 

L  '« 

^  t- 

.,!■    . 

'^f 

!;^' 

II 

■■■■■I  •! 


;1 

;» 

^ir 

•■S;  '/  •■ 


p.--; 


THE  CAPITOL. 

— « — 


[1814. 


a  rejection  of  the  terms,  became  a  sipinal 
for  destruction,  wlien  every  national  build- 
ing, exccjit  the  post-office,  was  consumed. 
The  only  Amerii-an  havinfi;  anv  connection 
with  this  negotiaticin  was  Dr.  'riiornion,  as 
the  facts  Avere  reporkd  to  nie.     Of  the  pro- 

I)osition   itself,  the  President  spoke  with 
jeconiing  contempt." 

Dr.  Thornton,  l)y  hirtli  English,  and  in 
politics  extremely  federal,  a  clerk  in  the 
State  De))artment,  having  charge  of  the 
patent-office,  then   a  much  smaller  public 


"  To  the  third  brigade,  that  which  was 
least  fatigued  by  fighting,  was  assigned  the 
task  of  destroying."  "  The  sun  set,"  says 
the  English  perpeti^itor  in  it,  "  befDre  the 
different  regiments  were  in  a  con<lition  to 
move  in  the  dark.  Before  they  (piittcjd  their 
ground  the  work  of  destruction  had  begun 
in  the  city.  The  blazing  of  houses,  ships 
and  stores,  the  reports  of  ex|iloding  maga- 
zines, and  the  crash  of  falling  i-oofs,  in- 
formed them,  as  they  proceeded,  uf  what 
was  going  forward.     You  can  conceive  no- 


repository  thnn  it  has  since  become,  was  a  ,  thing  finer  than  the  sight  which  met  them 
respectable  man  of  scientific  turn  of  mind,  ]  as  they  drew  near  the  town.  The  sky  was 
«lesirous    of  propitiating   the  eommanders  :  brilliantly  illuminated  by  the  diiferent  con 


of  the  hostile  ineursion  to  Washington, 
and  sometimes  indiscreet  in  suggestions 
for  that  purpose,  which  may  have  subjected 
him  to  misapprehension  as  to  a  negotiation 
intimated  by  the  Secretary  of  War.  IJut 
no  suidi  overture  as  General  Armstrong 
supposes  was  ever  possible.  Befire  the 
British  marched  into  AVashingtdn  tlie  Pre- 
sident had  gone  over  the  Potonnic  into 
Virginia,  and  cmdd  not  bo  connnunicated 
with  by  friends,  nuu-h  less  foes.  Tlie  Bri- 
tish mission  of  madness  conveA'ed  from 
London  to  the  American  shores  was  de- 
struction, as  the  Amer'' an  superstition 
was  panic,  and  desertion  of  the  seat  <if 
government  doomed  to  dinastation.  Cock- 
burn  flattered  himself,  proliably,  and  cinm- 
seled  l\oss,  that  their  fortunes  might  be 
made    liy  ransom    money ;    that   a   contri 


flagrations ;    and    a   dark,    red    light    was 
thrown   upon  the  road  sufficient  to  permit 
each  man  to  view  distinctly  his  comrade's 
face.     The  scene  M-as  striking  and  sublime, 
as  the  burning  of  St.  Sebastian's.    The  first 
and   seconil    lu'igades    advanced   into   the 
j  jilain   [meaning,   no  doubt,  the'  table-land 
I  of  the  cajiital],  halted,  and  in  dose  column 
1  liivouacked  for  the  night.     Towards  morn- 
j  ing  a  violent  storm  of  rain,  accompanied 
j  with   thunder    and     "ghtning,    came    on  : 
whose  Hashes  seemed  to  vie  in  brilliancy 
with   the    fiames  which    seemed    to    lairst 
from  the  r.)ofs  of  burning  houses,  while  the 
thunder  drowuiMl   tlie  iioI.m!  of  crumbling 
walls,  and  was  only  iiit(>rruiited  by  the  oc- 
casional roar  of  cannon,  and  of  large  depots 
of  .gunpowder,  as  tluiv  exploded  <nie  by  one." 
That  magoific(>nt  [die  of  still  imperfect 


bution  levied  could  be  substituted  for  con-  buihling,  the  Capitol  of  Washington,  built, 
flagration,  and  that  all  the  honor  of  cap- 1  Inn'ncil,  ri'lmilt,  ahusidy  the  seat  of  govern- 
turing  the  capital  of  the  United  States  ,  uient  h'gislatiiig  for  more  than  twenty  mil- 
would  bo  accomplished  as  well  in  nmney  j  lions  of  people,  territories  as  extensive 
as  in  ruins.  But,  by  information  from  all  [  as  any  (Hh(,'r  realm  in  the  world,  foreign 
the  most  respectable  sources,  confirming  |  commerce  hardly  second,  interior  trade  far 
impressions  anu  recollections  ther(,'  ni'ar  the  |  the  great(^st,  Avitli  glori(ais  rei'ollections  of 
time — this  being  written  in  Washington  in  |  the  past,  and  incalculalile  anticiiiations  of 
1848 — I  am  confident,  ainl  have  so  written  |  an  immense  f.;ture,  consistijd,  when  the 
to  the  son  of  (Jeneral  Armstrong,  that  his  British  A'andal  torch  was  |nit  to  it,  of  only 
assignment  of  a  nnjmentary  and  sordid  nu)-  the  two  presmit  wings  in  an  unfinished 
five  for  the  liurning  of  the  seat  of  govern-  (external  comlition,  without  the  central 
ment,  is  a  mistake.  The  most  inexcusable  !  rotunda  with  its  lofty  dome,  whispering 
parts  of  it  wore  not  done  till  the  day  after  j  galh'r  paintings  and  sculptures,  foundt'd 
that  to  which  he  ascrili^H  th(;  xii/md  of  i  on  a  treble-colonnaded  circular  I)oric  cryi)t, 
destruction,  (biles  and  Seaton's  [)riut ing- j  the  great  eastern  front  and  flight  of  steps, 
office,  lviugg(dd's  vopo-walks,  both  pri\  ate  j  the  AVestern  Library  and  terrac(>,  thirty 
prop(n-ty,  tliougli  in  some  eonnection  with  acres  of  ground  enclosed  with  iron  railing, 
g(jvernnient,  and  the  War  Ofiice,  were  not !  beautifully  jdaiited,  and  watered  liy  seve- 
destroy(!d  till  the  day  after  the  capture,  !  I'al  fountains  and  reservt)irs.  Nor  was 
when  it  was  also,  that  Dr.  Thornton's  en- 
treaties, with  the  juMvidential  interposition 
of  a  violent  storm  of  rain  and  wind,suati;he(l 
the  pat(!ntsand  models  in  thepost-office  from 
flames,  whiidi  it  was  then  diflicult  to  kindle 


the  interior  the  same  of  the  then  nearly 
completeil  Hall  of  the  Uejiresentatives, 
Sena'^e  (Chamber  and  Supreme  Court  room. 
The  library  was  in  the  Senate  wing,  up 
stairs.     'J'he  U(>[iresentative  Hall  was  then 


ni  a  building  soaked  Avith  wet.     Hopi!  of   like  the  [)resent:   the  Sjieaker's  (diair  where 

prevailing  on  the  gover.nnent  to  buy  the    it  now  is.     But  the  fimrtecMi  C(duinns  were 

■ "  '  "  the  same  freestone  as  the  walls,  instead 


preservation  of  their  pu!)!ic  buildings  thcM'e 
)rob"bly  was  in  tin;  plundering  calculations 


.f  th 


iirate  a 


Iniiral ; 


it  not  (>ven   tl 


f  tl 


10 


presi'iit   fiuiclf'ullv   varicijal 


and 


pr, 


ifi'er  (d'  that  baseness  was  made,  which 


if  m:  de,  must,  to  be  sure,  hav(»  lieen  sinirnei 


v.'ith  utter  coutempt  by  Madison. 


d 


dished  ninrl)Ie.    Tin'  Senate  Chamber  was 
likii  that  now:  the  Supreme  Court  room  be- 


lo\^  with  its  i 


iiassi\e  li'i'oi. 


d 


sepulchral  as  ever;    the  library  not  then 


legisli 


[1814. 

I'liich  was 
si;i;ii('d  tlio 
si't,"  says 
licPore  the 
ixlition  to 
littod  tlioir 
liul  bi'^run 
^•scs,  ships 
in;;;  iiuio;a- 
roofs,  in- 
1,   i)f  wluit 
ncoivo  no- 
inet  them 
:!  sky  was 
erpiit  fon- 
li^ht   was 
to  pnrmit 
conirado's 
il  suhliino, 
Tho  first 
into    the 
taljlo-hvud 
>so  cohniin 
I'ds  niorn- 
'ompaniod 
i-amo    on  : 
brilliancy 
to    liurst 
,  M  iiilc  the 
erunihliiio; 
]iy  tlio  00- 
.V'^v  depots 
\w  by  one." 
imperfcict 
!;t(Mi,  huilt, 
of^overn- 
wenty  uiil- 
extiMisivc 
Id,  foreij^n 
r  trade  far 
leetioiis  of 
pations  of 
when    the 
it,  of  only 
iinfinisheil 
10    central 
vhisperino; 
s,  founded 
oriceryjit, 
t  of  steps, 
ice,   thirty 
'n  railing-, 
I  liy  seve- 
Nor  was 
en  n(!arly 
'eiitativ(!s, 
lurt  room, 
wiii!^,    up 
was  then 
lair  where 
mils  were 
Is,  instead 
;atr<l   and 
imher  was 
1 1 m  he- 
dark,  and 
not  tiiea 


Chap.  VIII.] 


CAPITOL  BURNED. 


185 


cnhvrged  by  Jefferson's,   and   tho   annual 
contributions  since  nu^nientiii.!;-  it. 

The  ancient  siMtretary  (jf  th(>  Senate,  Sa- 
muel A.  Otis  died  not  lon^  Ijefore.  Tin; 
clerks,  door-keep.crs  and  ofKeers  W(!re 
most  of  them  absent  under  arms,  or  had 
fled.  Two  days  before  the  capture^  one 
of  them,  mon;  provident  than  the  rest,  re- 
moved a  cart-load  of  [tapers  and  documents 
out  of  town  to  a  place  of  concealment  in 
safety.  lUit  for  the  most  jiart  the  halls  of 
legishition,  with  their  apjiurlenances,  were 
derelict,  without  superintendent,  orcupant 
or  care.  The  ni;j;ht  before  the  batth;.  Minor's 
Virginia  re;j;iment  bivouacked  in  the  Repre- 
sentative liall.  The  surroundin<i;  grounds, 
then  uncultivated,  were  men!  wastes.  Soi  '•! 
of  tho  houses  now  standin;;'  east,  north  auv. 
south  of  the  Cajiitol,  were  there  then  ;  but 
its  general  aspect  was  much  hsss  finished 
and  interesting  than  rendered  since,  jiartly 
by  hostile  desecration  endeiirin^-  it  to  na- 
tional recolh^ctiiins  and  jiride.  The  naval 
monument  now  at  the  west  front  was  then 
at  the  navy  yard.  Washin,^lon's  sarcojdia- 
p;us  under  the  crypU  the  lofty  tliiihts  of 
stairs,  statues,  fountains,  terraces,  iron  rail- 
inHjencirelinp;  the  irrounds,  their  nine  noble 
entrances,  tlus  lod^^es,  ^ates,  in  a  word,  all 
the  exterior  decorations,  have  followed  the 
IJritish  destruction  of  the  first  rude  pile. 
Still  tli(!  unfinished  interior,  particularly 
the  lli'presentativi!  Hall,  was  then  a  noble 
structrre,  Chie  of  the  architect,  Latrobe's, 
bold  attempts  to  ornament  some  of  the 
smaller  columns  of  th(>  vestibules  with  two 
now  American  orders  of  architecture,  the 
n\a;i;nolia  and  the  Indian  corn.thi'n  as  now 
occujiied  their  almost  unnoticed  corners, 
demonstrating:;  that  to  antinuity  alon(!  be- 
longs ex(dnsive  su])erii)rity  in  andiitectiire 
and  sculptur(\  The  l\epres'Mitativ(>  Hall, 
then  as  now,  with  its  (Irecian  desij;n  and 
di'corations,  was  om;  of  tin'  larj:;est,  most 
ele;j;ant  ami  least  convenient  in  the  wcndd. 
Tlu^  l';np;lisli  biheld,  on  entering  it,  an  aiiart- 
ment  incomparably  move  vast  and  splendid 
than  th"ir  dark  and  crowded  ('omnu)ns 
cliapi'l  of  St.  Stephens,  as  the  American 
Senate  Chamber  is  a  much  more  imposing 
spectacle  than  their  old  House  of  Lords. 
The  interior  outlines  and  (general  ajipcar- 
anc(;  were  then  much  as  at  present.  The 
ellijitieal  Representative  Hall,  suppcn-ted  by 
a  freestone  colonnado,  li^rhted  by  numerous 
aperturi's  in  the  dome,  a  less  iiu'onvcnient 
sjieakinfi  and  hearinjj;  room  then  than  now. 
'i'li(>  particulars  of  the  destruction  of  the 
('M|)itid  it  is  almost  impossil)le  to  obtain. 
After  (lili;j;ent  iM(|uiry,  1  can  find  im  one 
within  iLcht.  s\uli  was  the  t(>rror  of  all. 
Hrawiu^r  u[)  their  cobunn  on  the  east  of 
the  building-,  after  a  short  consideration 
whether  it  should  bo  exploded  by  gun|iow- 
dcr,  or  consume<l  by  fire,  the  lattt^r  was  i-i'- 
stilved  upiin  by  the  enemy,  as  was  b'-lieved. 
lest  the  blowiiij;  up  should  injuru  adjacent 


dwellings.  The  troops  wove  ordered  to  firo 
a  volley  into  the  windows,  after  which  tho 
commanders  led  tht  ir  followers  into  the  in- 
terior. It  was  among  the  stories  when 
<'ongr(!ss  met  near  the  ruins  three  weeks 
afterwards,  that  the  admiral,  in  a  strain  of 
coarse  levity,  nutunting  the  Sjiciiker's  chair, 
put  the  question,  '•  Shall  this  harbor  of 
Yankee  democracy  be  burned?  A 11  for  it 
will  say  ave,"  to  which  loud  cries  of  assent 
being-  vociferated,  he  reversed  the  question, 
pronounced  it  carried  unanimously,  and  tho 
mock  resolution  was  executed  by  rockets 
and  other  combustibles  iipplied  U)  tho  chairs 
and  furniture  heaped  up  in  the  centre,  and 
fired  wherever  there  was  a  fit  place,  ''"ho 
temporary  wooden  structure  connecting  tho 
two  wings,  readily  kindled.  Doors,  chairs, 
consumable  [larts,  the  library  and  its  con- 
tents, in  an  upjior  room  of  thf;  Senate 
wing,  ev(!rything  that  would  take  fire, 
soon  disap]ieared  in  sheets  of  ilame,  il- 
luminating and  consternating  the  environs 
I'lU-  thirty  miles  round,  whence  the  confla- 
gration was  -.isible.  In  a  rocmi  adjoining 
the  (senate  Chamber,  portraits  of  the  King 
and  (^ueen  td'  France,  Iiouis  the  Sixteenth, 
and  his  wife,  were  cut  from  the  frames,  by 
whom  has  never  appeared.  Tho  frames 
were  scorched,  but  not  burned,  and  proba- 
bly sonu!  pilferer  snatched  those  pictures 
from  destruction  to  steal  them.  The  fugi- 
tive and  mortified  scddiery,  tho  hmubled, 
scattered  and  concealed  cabinet,  the  af- 
frighle(l  and  hiding  few  renuiining  iri  the 
town,  looked  on  the  ('onflagration  of  the 
Capitol,  and  some  houses  near  it,  .as  the  bo- 
ginning  of  the  destructiim  of  all  the  rest. 
No  one  dared  hope  that  it  would  sto])  with 
]niblic  liuildings.  Terror,  shame,  dismay, 
disgust  disturbed  tho  liroken  slumbers  of 
that  dismal  night,  which  closed  with  ono 
of  those  thunder  gusts  that  indicate  the  ap- 
proach of  autumn,  and  with  excessive  heat 
mixing  extreme  nuiisture,  produce  vegeta- 
ble decay,  animal  disease,  uud  mortal  dis- 
tempers. 

The  Caint(d,  -wrapped  in  its  winding  sheet 
of  fire,  and    the    troojis    slightly  ret^reshed 
after  that  first  periietration,  we-/e  l(>dby  tho 
general  and  admiral  along  then  ahnost  tho 
oidy  thoroughfare  of  Washington,  the  eter- 
uiil    I'ennsylvauia   Avenue,   withuut    beat 
id'  drum  or  other  martial  sound  than  their 
jionderous  tramp,  a  mile  and  a  quarter  to- 
wards the  President's  house,  the  Treasury 
iiud  War  Oliices,  to  Inirn  them.    Arrived  at 
'  tho  elbow  -where   that   main  street  curvef. 
I  from  its  ^traight  course  round  the  Treasury 
I  building,  then  a  smaller  edifice,  when,  tho 
1  presi'iit  (iv(>r-colimna(h'd  range  now  stands, 
I  at  the  h<nist>  in  the  bend  in  the  so\itln\cst 
1  corner  of  tho  avenue,  tlu'con(|uerors  halteil 
;  to  order  their  frugal  and  umiuiet  suiipor :  for 
!  tlu^y   too  were  uneasy,  fearful  of  oneuiies 
I  ai-m(>d  and  unarmed,  id' poisoned  water  and 
1  food,  dis(piieted  by  tho  nou-urrivul  of  theiv 


•^f  ;.,VV 


,.iW.- 


rM 


-im 


,;?4- 

-• . 

i'' 

'^■. 

'  iV"'," 

■  J- 

-';  '^  ■■ 

-  i 

'b^ 

:d 

.,!  '■ 

•■'-.i' 

AU. 


'  si 


■,(,f'^ 


• ,- 1    ' 

■f 

i 


t'\ 


180 


ROSS'S  SUPPER. 


[1814. 


V'-;      ■ 
»."r  '■ 


.  ,  ,, 


cxpoctcd  shipping  at  Alexandria,  liko  bur- 
{^liirs  and  r()bl)crs,  droadin};  that  tlipy  would 
])C  suvprisod  and  punished.  The  cornei- 
Jionse  is  ..  hiug,  hiw  hriek,  tiien  kept  fur 
li)d;^in;;s  l)y  ,Mrs.  Suter,  an  ap;(Hl  lady,  from 
whom  what  oecurriMl  there,  is  derived  In  a 
oity  little  more  than  such  nominally,  ninc- 
tontl)s  of  the  inlial/uants  publie  incumbents, 
und  tiieir  servants,  mostly  blacks,  very  few 
housidiolders,  but  nearly  all  livin;;  at  lodfr;- 
in}j;s,  Mrs.  Suter's  was  tlicnmst  convenient 
to  tile  public  offices  and  President's  man- 
sion, directly  opposite  at  right  angles  to 
the  Treasury,  and  close  to  the  President's. 
<Jovernor   Meigs,    the    postmaster-general. 


with  whom  he  sliould  return  after  visiting 
the  Treasury.  Thus  compelled  by  duress, 
and  advised  by  the  woman  servant,  when 
the  general  left  them,  to  kill  anil  cook  the 
fowls  in  the  yard,  and  warm  some  bread, 
the  supper  was  hastily  provided  and  ready 
when  the  party  returned,  .altogether  eleven 
officers,  including  (Jeneral  IIohh,  and  one  in 
blue,  on  a  mule  wliich  ho  rode  partly  through 
the  low  front  door  into  the  house,  introduc- 
ing himself  as  the  much  abused  Admi- 
ral Cockl)urn.  Jo(.'ose,  yet  timorous,  they 
snatched  a  short  repast,  for  which  Cockburn, 
bloiving  out  the  candles,  said  he  preferred 
the  light  ofthe  burning  palace  and  Treasury, 


though  absent  when  Washington  was  cap-  j  whose  conflagration  hard  by  illuminated  the 
lured,  was  one  t)f  iMrs.  Suter's  boarders,  ;  room,  outshining  the  [lale  moonlight,  also 
together  with  two  others,  both  pursers  of  j  beaming  in  all  its  silver  radiance.  JIuch 
the  navy.  The  lamil_\  wore  at  dinner  a  j  disa)ipoiiitment  was  expressed  at  the  Presi- 
fc!W  days  befon?  tlie  capture,  when  alJritish  \  dent's  escape  and  his  wif(!'s,  with  many  in- 
deserter,  shabby  and  wretclu  1,  calhnl  at  |  ((uiries  and  conjectures  as  to  their  ida(!e  of 
the  door  and  beggcvl  for  something  to  eat.  ,  cimcealmr'it.  They  wanted  him  to  show  in 
Desertion  from  the  IJritish  army  and  navy  Mnglaiid,  tiiey  said  ;  but  more  disappoini- 
was  too  common  to  excite  surjirise  ;  there  nuiit  was  expressed  at  the  iv  n-arrival  of  tho 
was  no  police,  either  civil  or  militarj-,  at  IJritish  shijijiing  at  Alexandria,  on  whose 
Wasliingtoii  ;  whence  all  came  and  went  as  co-operation  they  a|)|iearcd  to  jdacc;  anxious 
they  chosi^  without  superinteiidence  or  in-  .  reliance,  and  whose  not  (doming,  together 
quiry.  (lovernor  IMeigs  objected  to  his  j  with  the  two  storms  that  night  and  next  day 
laiidhidy's  fn'ding  the  vagrant  at  the  door,  |  of  rain,  wind  and  thunder,  with  much  da- 
of  wliom,  he   said,   there   were  too   many  |  mage, occasiiuied their smlden  and secretdc- 


about,  an<l  some  of  them  imjiostors,  why 
not  sjiies?  l}ut  the  victuals  were  sent  froiu 
the  table,  and  tliankfiilly  devoured  by  the 


])arture  the  next  night.  They  were  alarmed 
for  the  shipping  and  themscdves,  dejiendent 
on  each  otlier,  which  Cajitain  Gordon,  in  the 


man,  under  the  shade  of  a  tr(>e.     3Irs.  8u-  [  Seahorse   frigate,   and  Captain  A'apier,  in 


tor's  two  sons  were  both  in  arms,  oiu;  with 
l^arney,  tin;  other  in  a  volunteer  company, 
during  the  battle,  who  that  evening  both 
returnee!,  the  tlotilla  man  woundecl  but 
carried  away  by  his  comrades,  the  volun- 
teer merely  to  see  his  mother  and  then  con- 
tinue liis  retreat.    "  It  was  a  wiioje  week," 


the  Kuryaliis,  with  a  snuadron  of  small  ves- 
sels, did  not  succeed  in  getting  to  Alexan- 
dria till  Sunday,  tli.'20th  August,  the  day 
that  Ross  ended  his  retreat,  licgnn  on  the 
'Joth,  rc-embarkiiig  the  ll'.lth  at  Benedict. 
The  general  and  admiral  mu(di  r(\:;-i'etted 
the  alisence  of  (iordon.     AVhih'  at  snp])(>r, 


,slie  said,  "of  great  trouble,  hardly  slei>]»ing  an  oflieer  came  in  and  iiKiuireillf  tiiere  was 
at  night,  and  all  the  day  time  spent  in  nut  aiiutlier  huildinji  to  l)e  hunlell--the^Var 
fright.  Alioiit  nine  o'clock  at  night,  after  Office  ?  "Certainly,"  said  tlie  admiral.  "It 
the  terrors  if  that  sad  week  and  dreadful  will  be  time  enough  in  the  morning,"  said 
day,  thi,' Capitol  andotlierbnildiiigs  blazinsr,  !  the  general,  "as  it  is  now  growing  late,  and 
tiie  navy  yard  fearfully  exiiluding,  Mrs.  Su- ;  the  men  reipiire  rest."  After  some  fiirtiier 
ter's  house,  with  no  mie  in  it  liut  herself  and  ((uest.un,  the  general's  opinion  jirevailed, 
one  female  servant,  was  surrounded  by  sol-  and  the  burning  ol'  the  A\'ar  (UKee  v.as  ad- 
diers  in  gray  clotiiinij;,  whom  she  tudk  fur  :juiiriied  till  next  day.     "  Tliei'c  is  a  bank 


Americans.  An  oiFuMU'  entered  and  an- i 
iionni'ed  himself  as  (J  en  oral  Koss — "come," 
Kaid  he,  "madam,  to  sup  with  you;"  which 
unweleome  intlmatiiui  she  could  ill  decdine, 


too,  near  Icre,"  said  ( 'ockhurn,  "  that  might 
to  be  burneil."  |{uss  askcil  Mrs,  Suter 
whi'ther  tiie  Hank  of  the  Metropolis  was 
a  public    or  ])i-ivate    bank?     She    thought 


but  tid<i  him  that  siie  had  notiiing  tu  eat  in  i  pri\ate,  she  answered,  because  it  was  in  a 
the  Ikuisc,  and  there  was  McLeod's  tavern  i  privaii^  house,  and  so  it  eseapiMl.  After  a 
over  the  way,  where  she  supiiused  he  nii.i;lit  j  plain  meal  was  desnatidied,  withunt  wine 
])e  aeeommodated  ;  but  whitdi  did  nut  ad- j  or  liipiur,  nor  vail  to  the  woman  who  waited, 
mil.  like  .\Irs.  .Suter's,  of  a  view  of  the  pub- ;  the  gi'iitlemeii  hd't  Mrs.  Sutler's:  one  of 
lie  lnrildin;;s.  The  general  replied,  there-  ;  tliein,  tlit>  des(»rter,  a  few  days  )iefor(>  bi'g- 
f(jr(-,  that  h(>  preferred    her  house,  b(>caus(>  }  giiii;  at  her  door;  another,  who  h.ad  lieen  in 


he  had  some  aeciuniutani'e  with  lier,  men- 
tioning several  familiar  cireumstanees,  antl 
in(|uiring  for  the  uld  fieiitlemaii  wiio   ob' 


AVashuigton  before  the  war,  ami  was  well 

ac(|uaint("d  with  its  localities.     It  was  the 

]iiuloii  of  many  ]iersons   that   Cut'kburn 


ject'  d  to  gising  soniething  to  eat  to  a  pour  j  liiii\seli' had  lieeii  in  \\'ashin;i'lon  often. 
JJrilish  s.jldier  in  distress  ;  iiisisiingon  sup-        Mrs.   Madison's  reculleetiuii,  still  nnim- 
jjer  there  for  himself  uml  several  officers,  ipalred,  uttriljutes   to    Admiral  Cockburn, 


it  f  it 


cv 


[1814. 

or  visiting 
1>y  diirpss, 
ant,  when 
1  cook  the 
mo  broad, 
and  roady 
lo.r  elovon 
and  (ino  in 
lythniuffh 
introdiic- 
sed  Admi- 
irous,  they 
Cockl)urn, 
preferred 
'i'roasury, 
inated  the 
light,  also 
Jliifh 
the  Presi- 
h  many  in- 
ir  jdace  of 
tf)  show  in 
lisajipoini;- 
rival  of  tho 
on  Avliose 
(•(!  anxious 
;.  together 
<I  next  day 
muefi  (la- 
dseeretde- 
n^  alarmed 
dependent 
■don,  in  tho 
Xapier,  in 
F  small  ves- 
to  Alexan- 
<t,  the  day 
;nn  on  tho 
K.-nedie*. 
I  regretted 
at  siipp(M', 
F  thci'e  was 
I- -the  War 
nii-al.    "It 
ling,"  said 
g  late,  and 
me  t'liither 
jirevailed, 
I'C  was  ad- 
is  a  bank 
tliat  might 
Irs.    .Siiter 
(ipolis  was 
e    thought 
t  was  in  a 
.     ACter  a 
hont  wine 
ho  waiteil, 
s:    one  of 
lefore  beg- 
ad been  in 
I   was  well 
It  was  th(' 
('<iekburn 
often, 
itill  nnim- 
C'ockbuni, 


ClIAP.  VIII.] 


PIIESIDENT'S  HOUSE  BURXED. 
— ♦ — 


187 


when  his  followers  lialted  at  the  pump,  near 
the  Treasury,  to  slake  their  Inirning  thirst, 
before  they  proeeeded  to  tho  President's 
house,  his  only  aet  of  gallantry  and  Iminan- 
itv,  which  ought  to  bo  mentioned,  liowover 
iiu'onsistont  witli  tho  general  brutality  of 
his  conduct,  and  with  tho  dates  of  other  oe- 
currenees  that  afternoon  or  evening.  "He 
sent,"  she  says,  "a  messag(%  ottering  lier 
an  escort  to  what(!ver  jilaet;  of  safety  she 
might  choose."  A.s  she  left  the  President's 
house  between  three  and  four  o'clock,  and 
the  enemy  ('id  not  outer  Washington  till 
alwait  sundov'n,  there  is  incongruity  in  the 
dates.  Uenoral  Koss  told  Dr.  Ewell,  that 
h(^  would  not  have  burned  tho  President's 
hnuse,  if  Mrs.  Madison  bail  remained  at 
hiiiiie.  "I  make  no  war,"  said  he,  uttering 
aline  sentiment,  "on  let/cri^  or  ladies,  and 
I  t  -vi'  heard  so  much  in  praise  of  ^Irs. 
M  on,  that  I  would  rather  protect  than 
}mi-n  a  house  which  sheltered  so  excellent 
a  lady."  At  tho  pump  near  the  Treasury, 
the  men  wi're  warned  against  poisoned 
water,  as  poisoneil  whiskey  liad  been  ])lace(l 
iu  their  way.  And  at  the  President's,  th(! 
more  cDUsiderable  and  considerate  refiaiued 
from  eating,  leaving  to  the  .  alf  starved  and 
tiioiightless  soldiery  whate\  r  food  invited 
thi'ir  ai)petites.  The  J'resident's  mansion 
Hii>;i,  nut  so  conipleto  as  now,  tho  large 
east  room  unfinished  and  unoccupied,  the 
front  vestibule,  garden  stairs,  and  several 
of  the  decorative  jiarts  since  added  to 
tlie  building,  within  and  without,  was,  in 
Mr.  Madison's  occupation,  the  seat  of  sub- 
stantial and  perennial  entertainment,  plenty 
without  stint  and  welcome  unbounded,  less 
elegant,  European  or  ostentatious  than 
since,  plain  aiul  negligent  oven  to  rustic 
absence  of  <lispla}%  ))ut  the  scene  of  daily 
and  profuse  hospitality.  Thronged  as  Wash- 
ington was  with  officers,  and  many  transient 
pei'S(Mis,  tlu>  tables  were  set  every  ilay  dur- 
ing the  week  of  tho  invasion,  with  abun- 
dance for  a  hundred  guests,  provided  from 
the  stores  of  the  family,  when  tin?  nmrkets 
of  Washington  wore  li\ss  plentiful  than 
since,  but  Mr.  Madison's  well  stored  cellars 
of  jtrovisions  and  lii(Uors  amply  supplied 
everv  want.  The  Englisli  author  of  tlie 
Ib-itish  eamjiaign,  without  allusion  to  any 
objection  to  enjoying  what  the  enemy  found 
there,  states  that  they  arrived  "to  a  din- 
ner table  spread,  and  covers  laid  for  forty 
guests.  S(>veral  kinds  of  wine,  in  handsome 
cut  glass  dei'anters,  wore  cooling  on  the 
sideboard;  plate  bidders  stood  by  tho  fire 
place,  tilled  witii  dishes  and  (dates;  knives, 
forks,  and  spoo\»s,  were  arrsuiged  for  imme- 
diate us(> :  in  short,  everything  was  ready 
for  the  entertainment  oi"  a  ceremonious 
party,"  as  this  narrative  tells,  when  thi' 
]0'ep'iiration,  not  for  ceremony  after  an- 
tieipivied  victory,  was  made  to  receive  those 
who,  it  was  dospondingly  feared,  were  to  go 
forth  to  defeat.     "Iu  tho  kitchen,"  adds 


the  English  narrative,  "  spits  loaded  witli 
joints  of  various  sorts,  turned  before  the 
fire;  pots,  saucepans,  and  other  culinary 
utensils  stood  upon  the  grate,  [there  were 
no  grates,  but  a  largo  fire  of  hickory 
wood,]  and  all  the  other  reipiisitos  for  an 
elegaTit  and  substantial  repast,  were  ex- 
actly in  a  state  whicii  indicated  that  they 
had  been  lat(dy  and  precipitat(dy  aban- 
doned." Mr.  .John  Siousa,  Mr.  Madison's 
y)ort<'r,  a  respectable  Frenelunan,  who  still 
survives,  ]ironounees  all  this  account  of 
food,  a  fable.  There  was,  he  says,  no 
pre]iaration  for  dinner  or  eating,  beyond  a 
small  ((uantity  of  meat  in  th*;  kitchen, 
which  ho  found  tiiere  after  the  house  waa 
Inirned,  still  unconsumed.  If  there  hail 
been  food,  he  says  the  British  would  not 
have  eaten  it,  such  was  their  fear  of  poison, 
"  Hut  this  v>as  a  night  of  dismay  to  tho  in- 
habitants," adds  tho  English  narrator, 
"taken  completely  by  surprise:  the  streetf< 
crowded,  !ill  hastening  toAvards  a  wooden 
bridge,  which  crosses  the  Potonnic,  on  which 
the  crowd  was  such,  as  to  endanger  il3 
giving  way." 

At  a  simill  beer  house  opposite  to  iiio 
Treasury  kept  by  a  drunken  Erenchniaii, 
nanu.'d  Nardin,  fire  was  procured,  with 
whiidi  the  Treasur}'  ana  then  the  Presi- 
di'ut's  house,  w  ere  set  tire  to. 

IJefore  slotting  fire  to  tho  house,  it  was 
ransacked  for  booty,  especially  objects  of 
curiosity  to  be  carried  off  as  sjioils ;  but 
f(>w  were  found ;  some  pictures  and  books 
chosen  from  Mr.  Madison's  library,  were 
all  that  were  deemed  worth  preserving,  ex- 
cept a  small  parcel  of  the  pencil  notes  re- 
ceived from  her  lins)>and  by  Mrs.  Madison, 
while  lio  was  with  the  troops,  which  she 
had  rolled  up  togetb-  r,  and  put  in  a  table- 
drawer.  To  all  tiiv  II  it  of  the  contents  of 
the  building:  furnit.u'o,  wines,  provisions, 
groceries,  and  family  stores,  which  cost  Mr. 
Madison  twelve  thousand  dollars,  together 
with  an  excellent  library,  (tresisures  of  tho 
cures  for  t)  ■  ■toul,  as  libraries  were  origi- 
nally called  '.y  their  first  collectors,  tho 
Egyptians,)  the  torch  was  apjdied.  After 
incendiarism  had  done  its  worst,  both  at 
the  I'l-esident's  house,  and  tht;  navy  yard, 
indiscriminate  pillage  closed  tho  scene; 
less  by  the  British  soldiers,  who  were  n?- 
strained  by  their  officers,  than  by  negroes, 
vagrants,  and  caitiffs  of  various  kinds  and 
hues,  freed  from  all  restriction  on  their 
pronenoss  to  steal  and  drink,  consume  and 
waste. 

'J'he  day's  victory  and  nigiit's  devastation 
brought  the  coiH|uerora  to  a  }iause  and  re- 
tirement. 'I'he  general,  circumspect,  anil 
iipjiarently  disgusted  with  Ids  own  exploits, 
troubled,  if  not  witli  remorse  or  shame,  at 
least  with  tho  responsibilities  of  his  situa- 
tion, after  the  misdeeds  of  a  shocking  night, 
superadded  to  the  perilous  adventure  of 
tho  day,  repaired  to  his  encampment  on 


S 


.i   i 


188 


POST-OFFICE. 


[1814. 


l<  -! ' 


Capitol  Hill.  The  admiral,  Itolonjriinp;  to  tlio 
raco  (if  s(>!iiii(!n — "a  iiatidii,"  savs  Clarcii- 
(l(in,  "  liy  tlicmsclvos,  a  luiiiiorous  aii'l  fan- 
tastic. iir(>|(l(>,  fi(>i'co  and  rude,  and  rcsuliitt", 
ill  whatsocvci'  lh(^y  rcsdlvo,  or  an;  inciinoii 
to'' — con(diuk'd  his  victorious  and  (h'striict- 
ive  or!:i(^s    fif   tliat    niciuoraMo    (hiy    and 
ni{:;lit,  witli  tlie  coarse  luxury  of  inst  in  a 
hrothcl,  I'riini  which  lie  cmcr^^od  next  morn- 
ing   to    further   devastations.      AViien    tlic 
victorious  ci-usaders  sacked  <Jonstautinoiih  , 
French  contna.'rors  danced  witii  \v\\d  women 
in  tlu>  sanctuary  of  St.  Sopliia,  while  other 
jirostilutes  sang  oljscono  songs  in  th<>  Patri- 
arch's chair.      l)uring  tlieir  two  evenings' 
occupation  of  th(;  detachc'd  hamlets,  consti- 
tuting ilu'  l'ed(>ral  seat  of  government,  most 
of  the  city  pastured  liycows  an<l  shecji,  and 
much  of  its  wilds  overgrown  with  thickets,  i 
with  finv  inlialiitants  to  he  found,  a  martial  • 
curfew  was  enfoi'ced,  which   forhaile  them 
to    appear   after    night.      l>ut   l>ritish    do- 1 
minion  never   extended    Ipevond  a    line  ofj 
t-entiticls  between  the  Treasury  and  Presi- j 
di>nt's  house  :  to  the  latter  of  which,  on  tlie  ' 
night  of  the  24t]i.  and   to  the  War  Office  on  \ 
tlui  morning  of  llai  2r)th,  excursions  wei-e  ! 
pushed    l>y     "iCtachments    sent    to    destroy  • 
them.     Fui'ther  west  the  conquerors  never 
ventured,  leaving  lieorgetown  undisturhed:  j 
its   Jieights  supposed  to  be   croAvned  with  j 
Amoricau  troops,  reorganizing,  and   Imrn- 1 
iug  for  retali.atiim,  when  no  such  ardor  was  j 
kindled,  for  no  troo)is  were  there.  The  only  j 
assailant  of  thi>  IJritish  army  in  AVashing- 1 
ton  was   a  grand    ni>)ihew  by  the  mother's  J 
side  of  (.ien(;ral  AVashington,  John  Lewis.' 
Whether    his    death,    which    ensued,    was 
the   result   of  his   own   rashness   or  mis- 
take, was   never    as<'ertained;   for  Ik;,  too, 
belonged  to  tlie  jipenliar  nation  of  .seamen. 
His  uncle  encleavorcd  to  bring  hiui  up  to 
lietter  life  and  death.     Hut  ro\ing  and  un- 
tainealde,  h(>  csci^KMl  from  home  to  si^a,  and 
before  tin!  mast  xoluuteercd  a]iprenliceshi)i 
to  its  rough  education,     impii'ssed  by  in- 
solent Hi'ilons  forcibly  taking  iiim  from  an 
American  veiss(d,  the  descendant  of  M'asli- 
ington  was  com]itdle(l  by  blows  to  shed  his 
proud    blood    in   contlict  against    his    own 
countryuK^n.     Not  many  months  befon-  the  \ 
capture  of  the  city  named  after  his  great  j 
un(d{!,    Lewis    made    his    escajie.     vowing  i 
et<.'rnal   and   signal  veng(\an«^e  against  the; 
tyrants  who   had   enslaved   and   sc(airged  i 
liim  ;  against   thi!  press-gang  and  his  task- 1 
masters.  On  the  night  of  the  capture,  armed  j 
with  pistols,  ami  his   indignant  s)iirit  )ier- 
liajis  inflamed  liy  drink,  he  ap|U'oa(hed  the 
IJritish   t^cMitrie.-i,  whether  !iy  luistaki*  or  in 
jiassiou  did    not    appear.     Shots  were    ex- 
(dianged  liy  hini  with  one  or  more  of  them ; 
and    he    fell    dead    in  tlie  street  near  Mr. 
Adams'  liouse,  where  hiH  body  lay  till  re^ 
ni<ived  next  morning. 

AVith  the  sultry  dawn  of  the  i^ith  August, 
Koss  arubo  to  uii-'iiyus  and  still  di>appointed 


expectation  of  the  srpiadron  in  the  I'oto- 
mac,  of  which  no  tidings  came,  and  t'cck- 
burn  from  the  bed  of  deliauch.  thirstii.g  U.v 
more  destruction  :  the  general,  ha\iiig  ac- 
complished nearly  ail  that  c<aild,  and  much 
more  than  slaaihl  be  done,  indisposiMl  to 
further  outrage  and  solicitous  of  retiring; 
with  laurels  alicady  tarnished,  wliich  woiilij 
be  blasted  by  interce)ition  of  his  retre:it, 
and  revenging  on  his  army  the  outrages 
tiieyhail  committed.  Asafi-ifice,  almost  hi- 
ilica'ous,  to  preposterous  panic,  ensued  in  tlio 
burning,  at  the  sanietiine,of  both  enosof  the 
long  wooden  bridge  over  the  IVitomac  freiu 
Washington  to  Virginia;  the  end  liehl  liy 
the  liritish  on  the  east  to  )ir(>v(Mit  the 
Americans  from  returning  to  attack  tliein. 
the  end  by  the  -Vniericans  on  the  w(vst  to 
hinder  the  IJritish  from  coming  to  attack 
us.  The  American  oilicial  re]iort  to  Con- 
gress of  this  immolation,  v.  as,  that  the  tor- 
nado (if  the  night  between  the  2-lth  ami 
iZotli,  having  ruiitnred  the  draw,  a  corporal 
in  charge  of  it,  ]iercciving,  as  he  appre- 
hendeil,  a  body  of  tlie  enemy  abc  iit  to  cross 
from  U'ashington,  set  tire  to  the  west  end, 
liiirniiig  all  the  amniinition  and  stores 
dcjidsited  there:  wliie,  at  the  same  mo- 
ment the  Lritish  set  fu'e  to  their  east  end, 
apprtdiending  thaf  American  troops  were 
about  crossing  o  recapture  "Washing- 
ton, which  terro' .  the  day  before,  by  that 
briilge,  emjitied  (.I'i  <  inhabitants,  excejit  a 
f(,-\\'  l'"mal(>s  aixl  ['■  •.  (dergynien  I'r.  F>owrie, 
]iastov  of  till!  I'ri  .>'iyterian  (hurch,  anil  .Air. 
.Matthews  of  the  lionian  Catholic,  b.ith  still 
living,  the  h-ttcr  near  eighty  years  old,  who 
remained  to  protect  their  places  of  worshi]i, 
of  which  then  there  were  but  foiirofthi>  twen- 
ty odd  now.  Afti>r  breakfast,  a  detachmen;; 
of  tr(io[is  marched  from  the  Ca|ul(d  hill  ti. 
the  AVar  Ollice,  which  they  binned.  Thence 
they  returned  ahing  F.  street  to  the  jiost- 
oHii'c,  thi>  only  public  building  let't  standing, 
where  its  elegant  marble  successor  h.is  been 
since  erected,  the  handsomest,  cheajiest,  liut 
w(U'st  located,  for  want  oi"  space  to  display 
its  attractions,  of  any  edifice  in  A\'ashing- 
ton.  The  Patent  Ollice  was  then  under 
the  )iost-oflice  roof,  in  our  cheaj)  go\erit- 
nient  of  cumnlat(>d  ser\  ices,  a  cleikshi]) 
of  the  State  l)epartm(>iit,  as  still,  witli 
a  nolile  building  siipjiortcd  finm  the  large 
income  of  scientific  ingenuity,  its  import- 
ant functi(ms  are  perfornKul  by  the  Siicre- 
tary  of  State  and  Kegistc-r  of  the 'J'reasury, 
in  committee  with  the  SuperintiMident 
of  J'atents.  Dr.  Thornton.  tliiMi  (liief  of 
tJie  l'at(Hit  Office,  a('companiiMl  the  detaidi- 
ment  to  the  locked  door  of  the  repository, 
the  key  having  been  taken  away  by  another 
iderk  watcliing  out  of  nigiit.  .\xes  and 
other  implements  of  force  were  used  to 
break  in,  Thornton  entreating,  remonstrat- 
ing, and  finally  prevailing  on  .Alajor  Waters, 
superintending  the  d(!strui:tion,  to  postpone 
it  ti'l  Thornton  coiiUl  bco  Colonel  J  ones,  then 


iiiul  (.'iH'k- 
iiii-stiiijr  f;,r 

luivii!!;  iie- 
.  iiiiil  iniK'h 
disjius(>il  to 

if  I'ctiriitii; 
■"liicli  wdiilil 
his   rctrcMt, 

llllKISt  lii- 

isiic<l  in  tlio 

(MKisof  the 

tfiiiiiic  frdiu 

ml    li(^l(l  liy 

I'CMMit    tho 
ttiick  tlicni, 

w  Wi^St    id 

<^  to  attack 
ii-t  to  Cdii- 
iU   the  tor- 

I'  2-ltli    ;i)i(l 

.   il    COl-jK)!';!! 

h(!    a)i|ii'(>- 

(  lit  to  Ol'dS.S 

'A',  wi'st  Olid, 

aiul    stoi'L's 

'    saino  1110- 

ir  cast  oii'l, 

trcuips  ■\v('r(( 

'    ^Vashiiii:;- 

M-o,  by    tliat 

its,  oxcf'jit  a 

ih-.  Ijowric, 

I'cli,  ami  Mr. 

!ic,  hoth  still 

ais  old,  Avho 

i  of  worsliip, 

•of  th'>  t\v(>ii- 

dctaidiiiii'ii,: 

liiiol   hill  ti. 

ii'd.    'I'hciicc 

to    tll(>     ))(ist- 

't't  slandiii;:, 

<or  has  hccii 

hcaju'st,  hut 

0  to  disjiliiy 

n  ^^'asllill<.';- 

thi'ii    luidi'r 

I'iip  irovcrii- 

i    tdt'ikship 

still,    with 

ti  till!  larj^o 

its  iiiiport- 

r  tlio  Sooro- 

it'  'J'rcasni'y, 

oriiitiMidcnt 

(Ml   chiof  of 

the  dotaidi- 

rcjiositoi'v, 

liy  another 

Axi's   and 

ro    used    to 

ri'iiionstrat- 

jor  Waters, 

to  ]ios(|ioii(> 

•J<ii)es,  then 


CiiAr.  VIIT.]    INTELLIGENCER  OFFICE— OREENLEAF'S  TOINT. 


189 


(■ii;^ML;ed  with  Admiral  Coekljiirn  in  destroy-  j  JMiMinvhile,  Captain  Wain\vri,:;lit,  hy  Ad- 
iii'j;  the  oliiue  of  the  National  lntidli;;eiieer,  iiiiral  Corkhurn'.s  direction,  went  with  an- 
iiwt  I'.ir  oif  in  Pennsyhaiiia  Avciiuo.  Colonel  I  olhor  detachment  of  troops,  hoth  soldiers 
Jones  had  declariMl  that  it  was  not  desij^n-    and  sailors,  to  coiiiidete  the  destnu-tion  o" 


P(, 


1  to  destroy  private  property,  which  J)r.  |  the  navy-yard,  and  add  to  it  a  rope-yard, 
Thornton  assured  Major  Waters,  most  of]  far  off.  The  rear  -  admiral's  ollicial  re- 
tliat  in  the  patent  ollico  was.  A  curious  |  port  is,  that  Captain  tVainri;;ht  w(::'t  to  see 
uuisii-al  instriniii'iit,  of  his  own  construe- j  "  tliut  thiMlestruction  was  a^/z/y/'c/^',  wlieii  lio 
tioii,  which  111'  |)articiilarly  strove  to  snatidi]  destroyr(l  whatever  stores  and  hiiildiiif^s 
from  ruin,  with  a  jirovideiitial  };nst  s(/on  j  had  escaped  the  thuiie.s  of  the  precodiiif; 
lifter,  saved  the  seat  of  i^ovi^rniueiit  from  i  nijilit.     'i  wo  rope-walks,  tit  a  considoralilo 


1" 
distance  from  the  yard,  w-ro  likewi.so  set 
tire  to  and  consumed.  In  short,  sir,  I  do 
not  believi!  a  V(!sti<;-e  of  pnlilic  property,  or 
a  store  of  any  kind,  wliiidi  could  he  con- 
rcr/fu  to  the  use  of  p)V(!r!,'ineiit,  escaped 
destruction;  tlu^  lirid^^es  were  likewise  de- 
stroyed. This  ijc.nrnd  ih'm.stutiuii  Iieiii;;  coin- 
Major  Waters  agiced  at  least  to  respite  the  ])ieted,  w(^  marched,  on  our  return  at  nine 
patents  and  the  musical  instrument  till  his  :  o'clock  at  iii^^ht."  Such  sava;:;e  enormities, 
ri'turn  from  lIroeiile;il"s  l\iint,  where  other  j  land  piracies  which  soldiers  are  seldom 
ol  jects  were  to  be  laid  in  ruins.  ft'uilty  of,  reqnirinj^tho  iiiihridled  licentious- 

The  admiral  was  merry  in  his  }:;rotesquo  j  ness  of  the  JJritish  sra  code  to  make  jiri/e  of 
ramliles  about  AVashin^ton,  mounted  on  a  i  and  ilcstroy  everythin;^' r-o/«rr/'///(/r' to  |iuhlio 


removal  for  want  of  any  build  in;;;  in  which 
('oiiu;ress  conhl  assemlde,  wiieii  they  iiict 
at  Washin;z;ton  thri>e  weeks  afterwards. 
lUindreiis  of  models  of  the  uset'iil  arts  jn-e- 
served  in  the  otilce  were  of  no  avail  to  save 
it:  but  inusie  softened  the  ru^fw'd  breasts 
of   the    least   musical   of  civilized    pi'ople. 


white,   iincurried.    Ion;;;  itch-t'ii'i    brood 

mare,  iblluwed  by  a  hlack  fotil  n(>i^hin^' 
after  its  dam,  in  which  caricature  of  horse- 
manship that  harlenuin  of  havoc  ]»arailed 
tlu!  strc'ts,  and  laughed  at  the  terrified 
women  iiniilorin^-  him  not  to  destroy  their 
hollies.  "  Never  fear,"  said  he,  "you  shall 
lie  much  safer  under  my  administration 
tiiaii  .Madison's."  Aware  that  the  editors  of 
the  Nati(Mia)  Intelli^iuicer,  the  same  respect- 
able gentlemen  who  yet  conduct  that  ex- 
cellent journal,  vn'Yi.'  obnoxious  to  British 


use,  wliich  is  (>vervtliin^  whali'vi'r,  did  not 
entirely  es<'ape  immediate  retrihiition,  fore- 
shadowin/i-  the  burst  of  universal  ri'lmke  by 
whicii  all  Christendoin  unrte(l  to  sti;j;iiiatize 
the  ruthless  sack  of  the  ^Viiierican  capi- 
tal. On  the  bank  of  the  ]*otomai',  near 
a  few  houses  called  (^reenleaf 's  Point,  not 
far  from  the  national  arsenal  now  there, 
was  an  empty, dry  w(dl,  in  which  large  i|uan- 
titi(>.s  of  gunpowder  liad  been  thrown 
with  antiiiuated  arms  and  iiuinitions  of 
war,  said  to  be,  some  of  them,  remnants  of 


vengeance,  Dr.  Thornton,  under  cover  of  ■  the  American  revolution,  removed  with  the 
the  darkness,  posted  on  Mr.  (iales,  the  .so- j  seat  of  government  to  AVashington.  Into 
iiior  (ulitor's  house,  a  largi>  printed  placard,  ,  that  volcano  of  combustibles  an  officer,  who 


signify  that  the  house  was  unoci^i' 
pii^l  — "  This  house  to  let,  iii(|uive  at 
the  ofliee  of  the  National  Intelligencer." 
At  that  office,  Cockiiurn,  as  at  every 
other  incendiary  act,  jiresided  with  cha- 
racteristic brutality;  not  aware  that  the 
ty|K's  wer(>  then  set  for  a  ]>ro(damati(ni,  in- 
issued   by  (ieneral   WinihM", 


tcndiid    to    hi 

di'iiouiu'ing  Uritish  liarbarities  and  rousing  I  a  concussion  like  an  earthquake 

tlie  peojilc  in  mass  to  rally  to  his  standanl,  |  distant  houses,  felt  in  the  heart  o 


and  iiiillct  that  punishment  on  such  in- 
hiiinan  inemics  as  the  general  himself  fail- 
ed to  enlorce.  "  lie  sure,"  said  the  admiral, 
siijierintonding  the  destruction  of  the  types 
with  ^'andal  vengeance.  "  that  all  the  C's 
are  destroyed,  so  that  the  rascals  (jan  have 
no  further  means  of  alinsing  my  name  as 


had  burned  the  rope-walks,  when  all  w;is 
doiK',  and  there  was  no  more  occasion  for 
fire,  pitched  his  torch,  as  into  a  safe  ]tlace  of 
extinguishment.  AVith  terrible  (!rasli  the 
mine  instantly  exploded,  flingirj:  missiles 
of  death  and  mutilation  wide  aruiind,  kill- 
ing and  cruelly  wounding  near  a  hun- 
dred of  the  surrounding  destroyers,    with 

shaking 
the  city, 


whence  liodies  and  liiuljs  thrown  aloft,  with 
sniiike,  flame,  dust  and  fragmentary  mate- 
rials were  discernilile  from  the  jiost-offiee, 
still  and  alone  rescued  from  conflagration. 
The  sufferers,  begrimed  with  powder  and 
writhing  in  torture,  were  saluted  by  blas- 
pheinons  ribaldrv  from  some  siirvivini;  sail- 


tiny  jiave  done."  Then,  nearly  quoting  ors,  amused  while"  astounded  at  what  one  of 
1  U'guagi-  aiqilied  by  the  Federal  Kepublican  j  them  called  bis  comrades'  exaltation  toward 
ni'wsp;i|n'r  to  the  senior  editor  of  the  Xa- ^  lieiven,  "  iw  arcr  than  he  could  get  in  any 
tional  latelligencer,  Josepli  (biles,  K-iq.,  '  other  way."  Mutilated  ollicers  in  gay  regi- 
"  I'll  punish  .Sladisou's  man,  Joe,  '  said  tin'  lueiitals  v.  ere  carried  to  the  bospiiiil,  which 
admiral,  "as  I  have  hi.s  master,  Jim."  j  (u'lieral  Ilos.-*  iiad  established  in  a  liouse 
Three  thousand  didlars'  worth  of  types  and;  near  the  Capitol:  by  this  shocking  calamity 
printing  materials  were  thrown  out  of  the  j  urged  to  hasten  his  departure — accident  and 
V.indows  to  be  destroyed,  for  the  most  ])art,  omen  of  adversity,  whicli  shook  even  the 
however,  recovered,  .and  .still  in  u.^e  by  a  admiral's  iron  nerves, 
press  ill  North  Caroliua.  j      Scarcely  hud  it  occurred  to  interrupt  their 


•I' 


"s 


'"%. 


! 


I: 

V\ 


190 


GENERAL  ROSS. 


[1814. 


noarly  enniplotod  dovastatinn,  whon  thoy  ly.  "  lam  amarriod  man  mysflf,"  siiiil  ho, 
were  iivcrtaki'n  liv  a  nuich  inoro  ti'rriiic,  j  "  witli  several  swi'ctcliildn'ii,  ami  viiciMru 
pi'ovideiitial,  as  it  Vero,  jiid;i;nient  on  tlieir  the  sanctities  of  the  (:onjii;i;al  and  domestit; 
stay,  wiiieh  forthwitli  jireeijiitated  immcili- '  relations."  (ieneral  lloss  prevented  tlio 
ate  and  clandestine,  nocturnal  and  aflfri^lited  j  destruction  of  the  Capitol  liy  fjunjiowder 
d(!parture,  in  even  i^reater  and  more  foolish  oxidosion,  at  the  entreaty  of  persons  wIid 
consternation  than  the  van(piislied  Anieri- :  said  it  would  injure,  perhaps  destroy,  the 
oa'is  (1 'SI",  ted  Washinj^ton  the  (hiy  before,  neii^hborinj^  houses;  and  lie  eounter- 
llie    Biilisli   mirrative  shall    tell    in   what !  manded  the  order  for  hurnin}'  the  marine 


■•.vild 


jid'usiou    fleeing 


from 


imaj!;in'vry 


larracks,  wluin   tidd  that  it  could   not 


dan>i;ers     and     superstitions     terrors,    the  |  done    without    endan;i;erin;^     the     houses 

toarcd  deeply  aifeeted  liv  the 


d.   Ui 


oold  in*-adcrs,  cowerinj!;  at  a  storm  ot  tro- 1  aroui 

pi'ai  violence,  abandoned  their  conquest  |  calamitous  accident  at  tjreenieat  s  I'oint, 
without  even  ctunjiletinf;  their  orders  and  i  and  at  leaving  wounded  men  behind  when 
mission  for  the  desiraction  of  all  the  he  evacmvted  Washington.  From  the  whole 
public  b\illilings,  but  braving  unharnKMl !  conduct  of  the  Irish  general,  ho  seeuied  (d 
that  in  which  Congress  ioon  rose  with  their  '  bo  a  kind-hearted  gentleman,  rebu  tantly 
country  to  power  and  ]>rosperity,  the  more  fulfilling  jtainful  orders,  which  the  .^n-ots 
st^'kii.'.  bocaiiso  of  momentary  degrada- 1  admiral  executed  with  unfeeling  didiglit. 
tiiT..  j      "I  have  stated  above,''  soys  the  Kngli>h 

Jvoss  continually  deplored  the  tragedy  !  chronicler,  "that  our  troops  were  this  day 
V- uicli  he  said  he  had  to  jterform,  ocea-iiiiued,  '  kejit  as  mu(di  togi-ili.'ru'  [lossible  upon  t!io 
h"  a'!de<l,  by  the -Vmericans  burning  tlieHri-  ("apitol  Hill.  But  it  was  not  alone;  (ui  ac- 
tisii  V  i{)ital  in  Canada.  He  likewise  iiiudi  '  count  of  the  com[dction  id"  their  destrui-tivo 
lam:  'ted  the  destruction  of  the  Congress  labors,  that  this  was  done.  X  powei-l'ul 
tibraiy.  "Had  I  known  it  in  time,"  said  army  of  Americans  alretidy  began  to  sliow 
he,  "  tiio  books  n\ost  certainly  should  have  !  themsidves  upon  some  heiglits,  at  the  dis- 
be- !i  ^:^■I■^.(|."  II(Mvas  distressed,  too,  when  tanceoftwoor  three  miles  from  the  city; 
ji'T'  i-Mic^d  that  one  of  the  houses  burned  was  and  as  they  siMit  out  detachments  of  horse, 
General  "Washington's.  Sentimental  sol- ;  evoji  to  the  very  suburlis,  for  the  purpose 
dicr  as  he  was,  an  inhabitant  of  the  city,  '  of  watching  our  motions,  it  would  have 
in  whose  house  he  lodg(Ml,  declared  that  been  unsafe  to  iierniit  more  straggling  than 
the  sunbeam  of  a  cheerful  smile  was  never  wastdisobitely  nect'ssary.  The  ai'uiy  which 
scon  in  the  anxious  and  asliamed,  if  not  we  had  overtlirown  the  day  before,  though 
remorseful,    g(>ner.ars    ciamtenance,    while    ilefcated,    was    far  from   annihilated  ;   and 


executing  the  barbariuis  duty  he  was  or- 
dered to  fulfil.     His  countena!ice  was  co'.i- 
stantly  shrouded  in  close  shades  of  tiiought, 
and  he  expressed  the  deepest  regret  at  the 
war  itself;  "  war,"  said  he,  '"  b(Uween  two 
nations  so  mnirly  allied  by  tcmsanguinity 
and  interest."     During  th'-ir  stay  in  Wash- 
ington, while  the  admiral,  in  his  rough  way, 
and  with  a  sharp  piercing  voice,  was  con- 
tinually  coarse    and  abusive,    not  a  word  \ 
against  tin;  American  government,  the  l*n'- 
sidont,  the  country,  or  any  one,  was  Inward 
from   the  general.     "W!»at   alarmed  you?. 
Did  you  take  us  for  savages?"  ^-lid  Cock-' 
burn'  roughly,  to  a  lady,  wIm  had  'en  ui.  ■  ii  ■ 
terrified  by  the  Uritisli  irruption;  and,  she  ^ 
not  knowing  what  to  answer,  he  added,  "I 
account  for  your  terror  l)y  seeiiig  vou  with 
nowsjiaiiers,  which  delight  to  me.kc  devils 
of  us."   Dr.  Kwell,  c  r.troating  ]!iis~;  to  spare 


having  by  this  time  recovered  its  p:inic, 
began  to  conc'iiti'tite  itself  on  our  front, 
and  presented  ([uito  as  formidable  an  a])- 
)ioaran.'0  as  ever.  We  learnt,  also,  that  it 
wasjoini'd  by  a cons'ilcrabh"  force  from  the 
back  settlements,  whiih  had  arrivi-i!  too 
luti!  to  take  part  in  the  a<-ilun,  and  tlie  re- 
port wa';,  that  both  couibincd,  amounted  to 
nearly  tuch  •  thousand  men." 

All  this,  if  not  tlie  c<dnicge  (d'  fear,  was 
ridiculous  exaggeration.  'I'l'.cre  was  no 
American  army  on  any  hiv.ghts.  at  any  dis- 
tance ;  the  army  overthrown  the  day  be- 
fore was  totally  annihilated;  had  rei'oNireil 
none  of  its  ])anic ;  was  c(uicentraud  no- 
where; Mie  consider ilile  force  from  the 
Iiack  SO'  nnMits  was  no  more  thiin  Mini^r's 
neighlioring  \'irglnia  rej;iuient;  and  the 
twelve  thousand  men  v.im'c  tiie  same  false 
exaggeratioi\,  which,  as  Ih'itish  drea(led  by 


his  house,  the  general  answered,  with  an  ,  AVimhu's  army,  conundlcd  them  w  ithout 
amial)le  emliarrassment,  "that  is  the  house  striking  a  blow,  to  retire  into  AVasIiington, 
•wo  had  ]iitcbed  on  for  my  head-(piarters,  but  and  then  as  Americans,  dreade:!  by  British, 
I  cannot  think  (d' trespassiiig  on  the  rejios"  ,  drove  tlioin  ali'rigl;teil  out  (d'  it,  when  they 
of  a  ])rivatc  family,  and  v.ill  order  my  bag-  |  might  have  remained  in  perT'i't  saf'ty  n  any 
gage  out  of  till' hinsc  iiumfdiateiy."  Yield- ,  days.  The  dreaded  twcixe  thoui;and  had 
ing,  however,  to  Dr.  KweU's  repe:ited  in- 1  no  cxisteni'O  but  in  dread  on  eitler  side, 
stances  to  stay,  he  promised  to  try  and  give  !  "  Whetheror  not  it  was  tlieir  intention  to 
as  little  trouble  as  possilde.  Iteluclantly  j  attack,"  tlie  British  narrafivocontiiiues,  "I 
taking  possession  of  Mrs.  Kwidl's  bedroom,  |  cannot  pretend  to  say,  because  it  was  noon 
hoT'Mpiested  her  husband  lobring  herlMiiue,  j  bcfon.'  they  showed  themselves;  and  soon 
with  assurances  of  security  for  all  the  tami- 1  after,when  something  like  a  movement  could 


[1814. 

f,"  sui.I  Iip, 
ml  vi'iiiiMto 
1(1  (liiiiii'stic 

VCtltr,!     t!l(! 

<riiii)M.v,i|iT 

ITSOll.S    \\1|(, 

k'struy,  the 
c'diiiitor- 
tlii'  iiiiirino 

"111  IKJt  ll(3 
!»(!       JKHISt'S 

H'tcd  l._v  the 

'ilf's     I'lllllt, 

liiiiil  wlicii 

II  the  will  lie 
e  scciihmI  to 
vi'liK  timtly 

tho   Scuts 

i;  ilcli^-ht. 

ho  Kn-li>Ii 

re  this  (l;iy 

:^  UiMiii  tli'o 

lllIU!    (Ill    ilC- 

tl('striu;tivo 

\      IlllW(M-flll 

an  to  nIiiiw 
at  the  (lis- 

III  the  city; 

tS  (if   Ildl'so, 

Iio  piii'iKise 
iVdiihl  h;i\o 
lill.U' tluiii 
u'liiy  wliifli 
iii'i',  thdiijrh 

atcd  ;  iiiij 
1   its  j>aiiie, 

dtir  fVdiit, 
ahh'  an  a)i- 
al.vd,  that  it 
rt'  IVdiu  tho 
arrive!  too 
ami  the  rc- 
iiudunteil  to 

>r  fi'ar,  was 
■ri!  was  no 
at  any  dis- 
lu'  ilay  he- 
ll i'('i'(,\(i't>il 
iitrai-il  no- 
'  iVdin  tho 
laii  .Miiinr's 
. ;  anil  the 
saiiKj  f'also 
(Ircaihil  liy 
'Ml  ^^ilhdllt 
I'asliiiintdii, 
liy  l^!•iii^Il, 
wlicn  tliey 
<af,'ty  II  any 
uisaiiil  had 
hi'f  ,sid(\ 
iiti'ii!idn  td 
tlliMirs,  '•  I 
t  Was  nddii 
;  and  soon 
;meut  could 


Chap.  VIII.] 


TORNADO. 

•-♦- 


191 


he  discerned  in  their  ranks,  the  sky  ^'rew  1  flucnces  of  a  large  onnimercial  town.  From 
middeiily  dark,  and  the  nmst  treineiiddun  j  the  disaster  at  (Irceiileaf's  INiint,  and  storm 
hurricane,  ever  reinenihered  hy  the  oldest  i  Koon  fdildwliijj;  it,  all  the  ^leneral's  arrani;,e- 
inhahitant  in  the  jilaee,  caiiK!  on.     Ui'  the  I  nieiits  were  iiestowed  on  dejiartiire  !is  soon 

as  iii^ht  jiroterted  a  (daiidestine  reticat, 
ACti'r  my  aceoant  of"  the  ciiptuve  of  Wash- 


prcdij^ious  force  of  the  wind,  it  is  iniiiossi 
ble  for  you  to  form  any  conception.  Kool') 
of  lumses  were  torn  oii'  hy  it,  and  whisked 
into  the  air  like  sheets  of  iiaper  ;  while  the 
rain  which  uceonijianied  it,  resemhled  the 
rnshin;;  of  a  inifi;hty  cataract,  rather  than 
the  dropping  of  a  wliower.  'l"he  darkness 
was  as  grtni.  as  if  the  sun  had  ldn;^set,  and 
the  last  remains  of  twili^'ht  had  come  on, 
occasionally  relieved  by  Hashes  of  vivid 
lii^htning  streaniinfj;  throiif^h  it,  whiidi,  to- 
getlan*  with  the  nois(>  of  the  wind  and  the 
thunder,  the  crash  of  falling  buildings,  and 
the  tearing  df  roofs  as  they  were  stript  from 
the  walls,  produced  tho  most  appalling 
effect  I  ever  have,  and  |irolnibly  ever  shall, 
witness.  This  lasted  for  nearly  two  hours 
without  interniissidii  ;  during  wliiidi  time, 
many  ef  the  hdiises  spared  by  us,  wer(! 
blown  down,  and  thirty  of  our  men,  besides 
li.iveral  (d'  the  iiihaliitaiUs,  buried  beneath 
their  ruins.  Our  column  was  as  complet(dy 
dispiM'sed,  as  if  it  had  received  a  total  de- 
feat ;  some  of  the  men  flying  for  shtdter 
behind  walls  and  buildings,  and  others  fall- 
ing Hat  upon  the  ground  to  prevent  thein- 
sidves  from  lieing  carried  away  by  the  tem- 
pest;  nay,  such  was  the  viiilene(!  (d'  the 
wind,  that  two  pi(!ces  of  ciinnon  which  stood 
upon  the  eminence,  were  fairly  lifted  from 
the  ground,  and  borne  several  vards  to  the 
rear." 

The  gust  was  a  serious  reality,  traces  id' 
wiiose  ravages  I  saw  three  weeks  after- 
wards among  the  trees,  broken  and  dis- 
membered, nearly    all  the    wav  from  Ual- 


iiigtiin  was  comitiled,  1  was  kindly  fnniislied 
with  another  by  a.  gentleman  of  IJladens- 
biirg,  whi(di  is  here  added.  The  reader 
will  hardly  object  to  some  repetition  of 
(drcumstances  much  perplexed  by  contra- 
dictory stat(>meiits,  especially  as  the  Ula- 
densburg  narrative  is  by  a  gentleman  with 
all  the  recollections  of  the  very  spot,  eon- 
tinned  by  the  inijiortnnt  testimoiiv  of  a 
higlily  respectable  Knglis-li  officer  who  wna 
in  the  battl",  to  the  facts  of  jtoss's  hesitation 
to  attack,  and  Ihirney's  e.xcidlent  resistance. 

"  Many  of  the  facts  in  the  following  nar- 
rative have  been  received  from ,  re- 
siding near  Iliad  ensbnrg,  Maryland,  as  being 
(l(n'i\('d,  principally,  from  accounts  conimu- 
nicated  verbally  by  (.'olomd,  now  (Jeneral, 
AVood,  of  the  l»ritish  army:  and  thi'  residue 
have  lieen  received,  from  time  to  time.yi'OHi 
<itlt<r  (iiitli(iillf  sourri's. 

"The  15ritish  army. under  tlie  eommand  ol 
fleneral  l{oss.  landed  from  their  shipping 
in  the  Patuxent  Ixiver,  near  to  the  village  of 
IJenedict,  in  Charles  county,  Maryhmd,  on 
the  21st  August.  Islk  and  took  uji  the  lino 
of  nmrch  for  Mashiiigtim.  making  from 
eighteen  to  twenty  miles  per  day,  and  en- 
camping, at  night,  at  whatever  ]ioint  it 
might  happen  to  reach,  without  reference  to 
its  eli,u;ibility  for  defence  :  and  Iieing  in  an 
enemy's  country,  the  ofli('(>rs  unacijuainted 
with  the  Idealities  surrounding  them  on  the 
lenniiiation  of  each  day's  march,  which 
'  ti'ok  phice  in  the  shades  of  the  evenini;'.  the 


tiinori!  to  AVashingtdU.  'J"o  Knglish  ideas  ,  troops  arriving  at  bivouac,  wearied  undover- 
of  the  freijueiit  weeping  of  gentle  show-  I  come  with  the  heat  of  the  vrcather,  the  fa- 
ers,    the  magnitude    ui  Aiiieiicaii    falls  id' !  tigues  of  tin' mar(di,  and  the  weight  of  their 


rain  are  in  strong  contrast,  like  Niagara, 
the  rivers,  forests,  weather,  and  Titan 
features  of  this  country.  com[iared  to  their 
own  iiigmy  cdnligiiralion.  ^Mimit  one  o'chiek 
in  the  jitternoou  of  the  ^oth  August,  the 
second  siorm   followed  that   which  aecom- 


arms,  eighty  rounds  of  ammunition,  pro- 
visions, kn.ipsaidvs  and  accoutrements,  all 
of  which  tiiey  were  obliged  to  carry,  for  tho 
want  id'  a  baggage  train,  ajifneheiisions  of 
the  most  serious  nature  '.V(>re  enteitaiiu'd  by 
the   oilicers,   in  wliicdi   CSdomd   Wood    was 


|ianied   the   night  liefore   the  arrival  of  the  \  aeknowleilged  to  have  largely  partii  ipate(l, 
enemy.     The    musical    instrument    in   the  l  that  they  would  be  surrounded  at  night  by 


Patent  tJllice,  the  roof  (.Ireiudied,  and  tb 
approai-hes  Hooded  with  wel.  became  the 
l>!lladiuni  (d"  AVashiu^ton.  The  chimneys 
of  the  building  partially  unrodfed,  were 
hlov.u  down  ;  the  destroyers  thems(dves 
soaked  and  terrified,  stout  liearts  ((uailin}':, 
and  tie    timid  giving  way  to  superstitious 


fears,  a  eommon    inlirmitv  of 


the  .Vmericau  army,  cut  off  or  cut  up,  and 
compelled  to  surrender  at  discretidu ;  and 
this  is  represented  to  have  been  nuire  es- 
jiecially  the  case  at  the  termination  of  tho 
third  day's  niaridi,  which  brought  the  15ritish 
army  U>  the  •  ijong  Did  i''iidds,'  aliout  eight 
miles    from    W;ishington,    their    ad\aneed 


bravest  ■  guard  having  previously  reeeived  a  severe 


men.  The  post-ufJice  was  left  undistnrlje(l,  j  check  from  a  baLtalion  of  volunti'i>rs  fr(ini 
after  a  tempet^t  without  whiib  it  must  have  ]  the  district  of  (.'olumbia,  under  the  coinmand 
shared  (he  fate  of  the  others,  by  compl(>te  j  df  3lajor  Peter,  and  consisting  of  his  com- 
destructiiin  destined  for  all  public,  buildings  i  pany  id"  artillery  and  those  of  light  infantry 
of  Washington,  and  Congress  lieen  driven;  and  riHemen,  commanded  by  Captains  Stull 
to  CJeorgeli  wn  or  Frederick,  to  sit  in  some  I  and  l>a\i(lson.  The  a|iprehensions  of  tho 
eliurrb  .ir  court  house,  jf  n.ji   to  P.altimore  I  P>ritish  Iieing  increased  by  theeireunistaneo 


■  ji. 


;.      I 
r     I 

f'       11 


i"^:. 


or  PhiLulelpliia,  taaJur  the  tumultuous  iu- [  of  their  army  having  been  separated  into  two 


I.  I 


■■ff.    ; 

!iii 

102 


BLArH'ASBrnr.  xakrativf,. 


[1814. 


divisiims  at  anavticiilarfiirk  of  tlin  ruiwi,  h^v 
■\vliii-i.  't  w;is  iiiti'iiilcil  tlii\t  lli'isc  (liviMidiiH 
AVdiilil  II  i|ir(i;\cli  ]>y  dill'tTiMit  rmitc^t.  and 
ll'lilili  us>  'iiiM(\  iit  till'  close  lit'  the  i\a\, 
vlici'c  til"  (•'■Ills  woiiM  n;ii\iii  Jiiln  ;  iiiul  oiii' 
of  tlioM>  liivi.  lo'i^j  not  liiwiii^  lU'rivcil  at  tin- 
tit'M  o!"  Ii-\'.i  ai!  for  s.iini'  hours  ai'tiM"  the 
(>X|ii'('t'-  I  '>i,  ■  Anil  it  was  tiii>  oiiinion  of 
Colou"!  V»  I  I.  a  (^oni|iarallvi'ly  small, 
but  steady  ni,  force  would   Iiavc 

bcon  aide  .,,  ..  ,  .  >ie,  to  iiave  redu(!(>d 
tlu'ir  jadi  1  forces  'o  extriMulties.  Tliey 
vrere  jn'nm.ted  to  It'm  uac  iiniiiolestod,  and 
to  re)>ii>e  i|iiietl\  '\nd  secnndy,  for  an  entire 
iiii^lit,  within  ei^ht  miles  id"  an  army  id' 
ilouhle  their  numher,  cntnisteil  with  the 
guarirnnsliiii  uf  tiie  national  honor  and  tho 
national  melrojiolis. 

"On  the  morninj;  of  tho  24tli  of  A\ij;ust. 
1814,  the  IJritish  army  took  U]'  tho  lino  (d" 
march  from  the  Lonj^  Old  Vields.  oiicum- 
Ijered,  as  Ixdore  stateil,  with  an  o|ij>ressive 
lujij;a;^i'.  The  Amorican  Lri'neral  liein^  i;;- 
norant  i<f  the  ronte  intended  liy  the  IJritish 
army,  liad,  it\  the  evenin;i;  of  the  'S.'tA.  made 
every  disjiosition  deemed  necessary  for  the 
defence  of  the  apjiroaidies  liy  the  liridjjes 
over  the  Kastern  J?ran(di  lliver;  first,  liy 
tlio  action  of  the  artillery  under  (^lnlnlodore 
IJarney  :  and  that  failing,  the  ultimate  re- 
sort to  Idowin;:;  u]i  an  abutment  of  one 
bridj;e  and  destroyinji  the  other.  15ut  the 
peni'ral  commandinj:;  the  Dritish  army  had 
too  W(dl  considered  his  measures  to  trust 
the  execution  of  his  determined  iinrpos(>  to 
the  puerile  iilca  of  attemjitin^  to  cross  a 
river  of  that  width  and  not  to  lie  forded, 
over  two  narrow  liridjjes  entirely  command- 
ed by  a  heavy  wtdj^iit  of  artillery,  and  sub- 
ject to  destruction,  at  any  moment,  by  a 
Serjeant's  <;nard.  The  American  <;eneral. 
therefore,  totally  deceiving;  himsidf,  ex- 
pended the  precious  time  of  the  mornin^i 
m  arranj^ini;  the  troops  in  order  of  battle, 
on  the  hi^h  l)anks  of  Kastern  IJraiu^h,  leav- 
ing, as  a  secondary  consi<ieration,  the  cer- 
tain and  uniilistructed  ronte  l>y  the  way  of 
Bladensbiiro'.  and  appeared  to  be  ignorant 
of  the  real  intentions  or  actual  aihancis  of 
the  iJritish  cnluinns  un.l  they  liad  gmie  far 
(in  tlieir  way  on  the  road  to  IJIadinsliurg. 
When  the  fact  beuame  known,  everything 
was  bustle  and  confusion  ;  the  light  troojis 
were  hastened  otf,  and  a  part  oi  them  met 
at  the  fir.^^t  f  iitrenclimer.t.  on  ti  small  rising 
ground  on  that  side  of  ]}ladl'll^lulrg  nearest 
to  Washington,  the  brigade  of  Mdunieers 
and  militia  just  arri\ing  from  Miltiniore. 
At  this  entrem  hn.;  ;'.t  was  f,,rni.  d  th;'  lirst 
lino  of  defence,  consisting  of  die  l>.iltimoie 
brigade  and  .Maryland  militia,  and  two  ('om- 
panies  id"  Wasiiingtoii  vidunteers,  viz.,  one 
comjiany  o\'  artillery,  under  Captain  lieii- 
jamin  ibir-,  h,  and  a  company  td"  rilienien, 
armed  with  muskets,  iind(>r  t'aptain  William 
Doughty,  which  line  was  hastily  formed, 
about  the  time  of  the  app'.'arance   of  the 


llritish  eoliimn.  on  the  iiigh  ground  south- 
east of  Mladeiisliiirg.  The  enemy  advanceij 
slowly  but  steadily,  and.  as  Colonel  Wood 
has  stated,  the  soldiers  fainting  and  falling, 
and  being  left  by  the  w;iy-side.  (Voiil  the 
excessive  heat  (d'  the  diiy  and  their  oppres- 
sive burthens.  The  heail  id'  their  colnnin 
arrived  at  the  village  of  JJladensbnrg  be- 
tween (deveii  and  tw(dve  o'ldocdc,  and  wiiilo 
the  troops  were  ordered  to  halt  for  a  nio- 
meiit:\ry  ndief  jirejiaratory  to  further  move- 
ment, (ieneral  lloss  assembled  around  him 
some  of  his  principal  ofHcers.  and  ascending 
a  hill  within  the  villag(>,  oci'iijiied  a.  build- 
ing then  the  residence  of  Cnlonel  ISowie, 
and  from  the  n))per  part  of  that  building, 
wliiidi  completely  overlooked  the  first  line 
of  American  troops,  with  the  res(>rves  then 
in  sight.  These  troops  making  a  formidable 
appearance,  and  supposeil  to  bt>  ((uite  fresh 
and  ready  for  battle,  and  being  perfectly 
aware  of  the  exhausted  condition  id'  his  own 
troops,  the  general  and  his  otticers  con- 
sidered that  the  event  of  a  conlliet  eonid 
liardlv  be  doubted,  iind  e\i'ii  mooted  'Ih! 
([Uestion  (d'  retreat,  wliiidi,  however,  was 
immediatidy  decided  to  be  not  onl}'  repug- 
nant to  the  (diaracter  of  the  IJritish  army, 
but  moi(>  likely  to  produce  its  ruin  than  a 
forAvard  movement :  so,  upon  further  con- 
sultation, supposing  that  a  large  portion  of 
the  AmiM'ican  army  was  comjiosed  of  raw 
militia,  and  might  be  frightened  by  the 
proximate  I'xhibition  of  the  mdsy  congreve 
field  rockets,  and  the  application  of  the  '  in- 
vincible l>ritisli  bayonet,'  hopes  were  enter- 
tained, that,  notwithstanding  thv'  gloomy 
prospects  before  them,  tdiance  might  decide 
in  theirfavor.  With  this  eonidusidii.  having 
the  iield  of  iijieration  in  full  view,  orders  for 
the  advance  and  disposition  of  the  forces 
were  immeiliately  given.  The  IJritish  co- 
lumn was  then  put  in  motion,  and  as  it 
advanced  down  the  street  in  front  and  full 
view  (d'  the  American  line,  the  artillery  of 
that  line,  consisting  of  four  or  five  six- 
pounders,  opened  its  fire:  but  being  at  first 
badly  directed,  the  balls  ]ias<ed  over  the 
heads  (d'  the  advuneing  cdlunm  until  it  ar- 
rived on  the  bridge  lietwcen  IJladenslmrg 
and  the  American  line,  where  smeral  balls 
did  Some  execution,  lint  caused  no  interrup- 
tion to  the  advancing  column,  whose  pro- 
gres.s  across  the  bridge  and  t'ording-jilace, 
the  water beingthen  ((uite  shallow. although 
slow,  was  ste.iiiy  iunl  determined,  and  afttT 
crossing,  the  column  began  to  deploy  to  the 
ri';!it  and  left  of  the  main  road  f'ldin  151a- 
densliiirg  to  ^\'ashillgton,  in  tlw  middle  uf 
which  was  stationed  one  of  the  six-iioiinders. 
After  crossing  the  creek,  the  enemy  were 
within  feir  musket  range  of  the  American 
line,  which  then  opened  its  fire  \ipon  them, 
but  with  (conijiarative)  little  offc-ct,  wiiilc 
tlie  congrev(>  rockets  were  [iroiincing  their 
desired  (dl'ect  in  striking  terror  and  dismay 
into  the  militia,  which,  together  with  the 


!lt 


[1814. 

•  lllllll  soiitli- 
i.V  :i(!viiii(('(| 

ll'lll'l    W'iKIll 

iind  r;illiii;r, 
'.  from  tli(! 
ii'ii"  ii|i|ii'|.s. 
I'ir  fiiliiiiin 
iisliiirfr  lie- 
.  iuiil  wliilc 
f  fill-  a  iiiu- 
rtlicr  iniivv 
inmiid  liiiii 
a^^(•(•n(lill;; 
<'il  II  Imild- 
id  IJowic, 
liuildiii;;, 
first  lino 

SITVI'H  tlli'Il 

i'lirmidalilc 
'(iiiti'  (Vrsh 
a  licrfcclly 
II  I')'  his  own 
iHic(>rs  oon- 
ndirt  (ioiild 
iiiiintcd  tliu 
iwi'vcr,  wiiN 
iinly  fcpn;^- 
itisii  iiriny, 
I'uin  tliiui'ti 
urtliiT  con- 
;('  portion  of 
'isimI  of  raw 
iH'd  liy  tlie 
sy  oonj^rovc 
II  of  tlio  '  in- 
I  Were  cntcr- 
tlii'    jj;looiiiy 
iii.;;lit  dncido 
«ioii.  iiaviiifr 
.V,  "'rdcrs  for 
'  tlic  forci'a 
IJritish   (•()- 
,  and  as  it 
lit  and  full 
iu-tillcry  of 
iir   livi!   six- 
'iri.ir  at  first 
d  over  the 
'intil  it  ar- 
huh'iishurf; 
ivcral  halln 
lo  intcrnip- 
ivhosi'  pro- 
diii.ii'-placi', 
V.  althoufih 
i,  and  after 
•plov  to  the 
1  from  I5hi- 
niiihlle  of 
-]>ounders. 
leniy  were 
American 
poll  thoni, 
ei't,   wliile 
•  in.i;;  their 
lid  di.sniay 
'  with  tlie 


CuAP.  VIII.]  BLAPEXSBURfl 

— ♦- 
steady  and  constant  advance  and  near  prox- 
imity of  the  i/lniiiiiii</  hiii/oint,  eansed  tlie 
jin-cipitatc  tii^lit  of  tiie  JJaltiiiiore  liri^adi', 
lei'viiig  the  two  coiiipanieH  of  AVa.shiiij;ton 
volunteers  before-mentioned  to  maintain  a 
inoniontary  8tand  a;;;aiii.st  such  fearful 
odds.  An  unfortunate  mi.stake  liavin;^  Ijecn 


NARRATIVE. 


193 


inado  in  placin;<  the  waddin<^  in  tlie  j;un 
before   the   powder,   the  men  were  order- 
ed to  depress  the  muzzle  of  tlie  pieee  to  ] 
get  it  out,  in  doing  whieh,  under  the  fire  of 
tiie  enemy,  the  gun  eapsized  and  tumbled  ! 
into  a  ditch  on  the  side  of  the  road,  and  the  I 
Vritish  being  then  upon  them,  the  section  j 
in  charge  of  the  gun  were  obliged  to  aban- 1 
dou  it  and  fly  for  their  lives.     Another  of  j 
these  pieces  of  artillery,   stationed  in  an 
apple  orchard  near  to  the  piece  lost,  was 
operating  with  some  effect  on  the  advancing  ' 
enemy,  whoso   heavy  force  and   near  aji-  j 
preach  admonished  the  officer  in  command,  '• 
Captain  Burch,  to  order  an  immediate  re-  j 
treat,  which   was  instnntly  oljeyed    by  all . 
except  a   soldier  named  liariuij  Parsons, 
(the  same   mini  who  was  removed  a  few  ] 
years  since  from  the  place  of  a  messenger  in  i 
the  House  of  Representatives  ;)  but  Barney, 
with  coat  off  and  shirt  sleeves  rolled  up,  told 
his  captain  to  excuse  irnn  until  he  poured 
another  charge  of  canister  sh(>*-   into  the 
'red  coats.'    The  captain  then  ordered  him 
peremptorily  to  retreat,  but  to  no  purpose, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  him  to  save; 
himself.    Barney  was  not  to  be  foiled  in  his 
determination,  and  sueeeed(Ml  in  charging, 
jiointing,  discharging  and  spiking  the  ]>iece,  j 
the  British  bayonets  being  nearly  up  to  its  | 
muzzle,  and,  covered  Ity  the  smoke  of  the  i 
discharge,  made  good  his  retn  at,  and  yet  i 
lives  to  remember  the  events  in  whiidi  he  ; 
bore  his  part  like  a  true  patriot  and  good  j 
s(ddier.     While  this   scene  was    enacting. 
Captain  Doughty,  with  his  company,  was 
warmly  engaged  with  the  right  flank  of  the  ' 
British  army,  near  the  old  barn  yet  stand- , 
ing,  which  was  on  the  left  of  the  American 
line,  and  the  British  advancing  between  his  ; 
position  and  the  barn,  received  his  re|ieated  j 
discharges,  of  which  many  balh,  not  strik- ; 
ing  the  enemy,  penetrated  the  sides  of  the 
barn,  and  were  afterwards  to  be  seen.     But 
this  brave  corps,  being  in  turn  overpowered, 
were  forced  to  retreat,  which  was  effected 
in  good  order,  and  terminated  the  resistance  ! 
of  the  first  line.   The  comparative  ease  with  ; 
which  this  line  was  put  toflii//it  inspired  the  ; 
British  troops  with  fresh  ardor,  and  they  , 
marched  boldly  on  in  solid  column,  on  tlu>  j 
main  road,  and  crossing  Turnocliffe's  liridge 
over  a  run  in  a  ravine  (celeliratod  as  the 
Bl.adensburg  duelling-ground),   wer(!    ad- 
Vi'.ncing  up  the  gradual  ascent  of  a  long  j 
hill,  where  Commodore   Barney's  force  ofi 
four  hundred   and  fii'ty  sailors,  with  two 
eighteen-pounders  and  two  twelve-pounders 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty  marines,  un- 
der Colonel,  then  Captain,  Miller,  had  jubt 
13 


arrived  by  a  forceil  march  from  the  Eii>iern 
Branch,  and  were  hastily  forming  tlie  seci,nil 
line  of  defence,  supiMirtcd  on  the  riglit  by  a 
regiment  of  Maryland  militia,  under  t'.e 
command  of  ColonelWilliam  Dent  Heall,  (an 
officer  of  tiie  Itevolutioii,)  and  on  the  left  by 
the  militia  of  the  District  of  Columbia  aiul 
a  regiment  of  regular  infantry,  coniposeil 
partly  of  the  thirty-sixth  and  thirty-eighth 
regiments. 

"  Colonel  AVood  stated  that  the  British 
column  advanced  to  within  a  few  hundred 
yards  id'Barnev's  battery  before  he  ojiened 
upon  them,  wfien  it  burst  forth  with  the 
most  destructive  effect,  sweeping  the  road 
and  staggering  the  column ;  but  so  detor- 
mined  were  they  to  advance  by  the  road, 
that  they  renewed  the  advance  in  the  face 
of  Barney's  battery  three  several  times, 
and  were  as  often  swejit  from  the  earth,  till 
at  length  the  carnage  liecanie  so  great  that 
they  were  obliged  to  desist  from  the  direct 
attack  and  flank  off  to  the  right  and  left 
under  the  cover,  from  Barney's  fire,  afforded 
liy  the  ravine  parallel  to,  and  at  tlie  dis- 
tance of  four  or  five  hundred  yards  from, 
Harney's  line,  or  tln^  second  line  of  de- 
fence. It  became  the  duty  of  Colonel 
AVood  to  lead  a  portion  of  the  left  with 
orders  to  turn  the  right  of  the  American 
army,  and  on  proceeding  towards  the  right, 
and  emerging  from  tin;  ravine,  they  ap- 
proached within  striking  distance  of  the 
right  of  the  American  line,  consisting  of 
a  regiment  of  Maryland  militia  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  William  Dent  Beall, 
an  otlicer  of  the  (dd  Maryland  line  of  the 
Revolution,  as  before  stated,  from  whom 
they  received  a  shower  of  musket  balls, 
which  the.  gallant  C(donel  said  he  had 
scarcely  known  to  be  equalled  in  all  the 
liattles  in  which  he  jiarticiyiated  in  the 
peninsula  of  Spain.  From  this  discharge 
Colonel  AVood  was  severely  wounded,  and 
being  borne  to  a  place  of  sujiposed  safety, 
the  concussion  of  a  gre.pe  shot,  as  he  ar- 
rived there,  from  one  of  Barney's  jiieccs, 
passing  so  near  the  Colonel's  head  as  to 
scrape  his  whisker,  laid  him  prostrate  on 
the  ground.  The  gallant  old  veteran  Colo- 
nel Beall,  having  only  a  body  of  raw  mili- 
tia under  his  command,  could  not  induce 
them  to  stand  the  shock  of  the  bayonet  to 
which  the  British  troops  had  bccii  ordered 
to  bring  the  conttist,  and  the  militia  was 
forced  vo  retire,  leaving  the  right  and  rear 
of  tli((  marines  and  Barni^y's  battery  com- 
pletely exposed  to  a  heavy  column  of 
Dritish  infantry,  which  could  now  aji- 
proaeh  under  cover  of  a  wood  of  heav-y 
timber.  AVhile  these  operations  were  going 
on  at  Barn'\v's  right,  the  right  Hank  of  the 
British  army  had  jiursued  the  ravine  with 
the  view  of  turning  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
can line,  ancl  at  the  western  debouche  of 
the  ravine,  the  head  of  the  British  column 
approached  the  front  of  a  regiment  of  regu- 


■F 


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f  ■ 


All 

41 


l?li 


H!- 


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104 


BLADFXsnrnr;  xarrativr. 


*., 


VI 


■  '■• 


p 


l.i: 


irx,  coinpitsoil  of  1)iittiiliiPiii  i>f  till-  tliirty-j  it  to  lio  "I't  fire  to  in  ovoryvulnornMo  point, 


1 

Kixtli  timl    tilirtv-i'izhtli   I'n'tnl   Stiiti'.s  in-'jiinlit 


inn    ChM 


Imih..| 


!Ulli'.-<,    WW 


fiintry,  who  rcuiiiiii'il,  wit'  nt  onlcrs  to  I  I'lnitinuci  Iturnin^  all  ni;;lit,  pir-iMitiii;;,  at 
tire,  until  tile  c'luMny  itpiir  .adi-'il  within  j  tin'  tlislaiicc  of  thrco  niili'.s,  t"  tiio  i-jch 
jiiHtii!  mnni',  wln-ii  tin;  i)fK(;er.s  anil  men  |  that  ni'c  now  cn^^a;;!' I  ti-:icin;r  thisc  lincK, 
exiii'i'tci  overy  moment  to  rcciMVi'  'ivih>r-s  to  j  an  iiwfiil  ami  nn-liincholy  piil.iie.  During 
t'liar^;(!  to  the  IVont  ;  liut,  n^tonmlinji  and  j  the  ni;;ht  of  tla' "J  ith  of  Auijnsf,  the  l?riti^  li 
inortifyiii)^  us  it  w;is  lo  tluin,  and  iinuc-  arniv  iM'cuiiitMl  thu  vantn^i'-;;round  of  the 
c'tiintuiili'  and  ini'XiiHrahh?  to  thi'  iniMii-,  ,  (/apitol  Hill,  and  ni'st  !.iv  disiiatclii'cl  a 
tho  sptdl  was  liiukt'n  and  tlio  I'rit.oal  n\ii  iMlninn  to  destroy  tli'  fn't  lud  arsciuil  at 
in(!nt  pa-Hcd,  to  till)  dishonor  of  the  Aujiri- j  (irfcnlcafs  I'oinf;  ;ii  1  w/iih'  hnsily  en- 
can  arni.i,  hy  a  pereniiitory  order  to  this  I  ;;aij;ed  in  tin;  work  of  de-truetion,  luany 
ri';j;iiiient  to  retreat.  The  liiitish  rij;;ht  i  harrels  of  powd-r  having  heen  ri-nioved 
then  approached  till!  Anierie.' a  It  ft — eanie  ;  from  the  )na|;a/ni(!  and  tlirown  into  the 
in  contact  witii  the  .snnill  hattalion  of  I  wtdl  witliin  the  fort,  so  as  to  fill  it  aliovo 
Washini^ton  ai\(l  Cieorp'town  V(dnnteors,  |  tiie  wat'r,  and  oni;  of  the  s(ddiers  having 
cunuuanded  hy  Major  I'etor,  who  nnole  a  a  l»nrninji  brand  or  niattdi  in  his  luuul, 
spirited  resistance;  liiit  lieinj;  overpowered, 
Avorc  forced  to  withdraw,  leaving;;  Harney's 
left  under  the  prelection  of  a  regiment  of 
raw  militia,  who  in  turn  retired  heforo  the 
bayonet,  exposing  IJarneys  liattery  to  the 
left  and  rear  entirely  to  the  British  ini'antry. 
The  old  Commodore,  Ixdng  liims(df  wounded 
and  on  the  f^ronnd,  and  discovering^  that 
tlie  right  and  left  thinks  of  the  JJritish 
army   W(>ro  about  (dosing  in   his  reai",  he 


seeing  the  toi)  of  the  wtdl,  and  not  knowing 
of  the  powder  there,  threw  it  in,  when  a 
trenn'utlous  explosion  took  place,  which 
laid  open  the  ground  in  the  forni  of  a  vol- 
canic eruption.  'J'his  destroyed  a  number 
of  the  soldiers,  and  caused  the  immeiliate 
recall  of  the  cidumn  to  the  ('a]iit(d  Hill. 
Another  column  had  been  disiiatcheij  to 
destroy  the  public  buildings,  whudi  had  es- 
caped the  jirevious  night,  whi<di  c(dumu 
ordered  his  guns  s])iked,  and  tiie  remaining;  was  met  a  fri>nt,  in  the  centre  of  Pennsyl- 
sailors  and  marines  of  his  small,  liut  gat- !  vania  A\  enue,  by  a  young  man  claiming 
lant  band,  with  arms  in  hand,  to  cut  their  '  r(daticnshi|i  to  dcneral  AVashington,  who, 
way  through  and  make  good  their  retreat,  j  single-handed,  in  the  boldest  and  most 
remaining  liimself  in  his  disabled  condition  i  reckless  manner,  charged  the  head  of  the 
n  prisoner  of  war  ;  and  being  treated  by  the  I  cidumn,  and  liro<l  a   pistol  into  it,  which 

was  immediately  returned  by  the  dis(diarg(> 
of  s((veral  muskets  in  succession,  when  his 
horse  wheeled  and  retreateil  sonic  distance 
liefore  the  young  nnm  fidl.  It  was  said 
that,  on  coming  up  to  the  young  man,  and 
finding  him  mortally  wounded,  the  otticer 
in  command  had  him  carid'ull}-  borne  to  a 
house  in  the  vicinity,  with  a  surgeon  to  at- 


cnemy  in  a  mii!ine>-    becoming    tlic  condi- 
tion ('f  a  gallant     but  fallen  enemy,    and 


afterwards  conveyed  le 


m  to  Washing- 


ton.    His  sailors    ami    marines    retreating 

rehictaiuly,  wore  1>urnii:g  vith  anxiety  to 

have  anotlier  l.rnsb  witii  the  enemy,   but 

wore   marcl  ed  oil'  l)y  ilieir  officers,   their 

rear  being  closely  foll,)wt'd  by  the  British 

troojis  until  they  entered    the   suburbs  (d'i  teml  him,  and  while  condemning  the  rash- 

AVa<hington,   wiicn  a  party  of  the  sailors  '  ness,  did  honor  to  the  boldness  ami  noble 

entered  a  three  story  brick  dwelling-hons(>  !  daring  of  the  unfortunate  Aivcrinin  Liiiijht. 


lielonging  to  Itibert  Sewall,  and  awaited 
the  near  appi'o;ifli  of  (hi;  enemy's  I'olumn, 
which  was  led  by  tieneral  Koss  in  |)ers;>n, 
•when  they  tired  a  volh'y  which  kilhnl  or  disa- 
Tjled  till!  hors"  upon  whiidi  the  tJcncral  was 
imounted.  The  sailors  then  retreated  '^y 
the  rear  of  the  building,  and  tin?  Dritisii 
set  fire  to  and  destroyed  tin;  house.  The 
British  column  continued  its  march,  and  in 
a  few  moments  more  were  on  the  eastern 
front  of  the  Capitol,  when  they  deployi^d 
into  line  facing  that  building,  and  directing 
!i  volley  of  musketry  at  the  edifice,  took 
1"  rmal  possession  in  the  name  id'  their 
king.  The  interitjr  was  examined,  with  a 
view  1 1  its  destruction,  but  finding  that  it 
\vould  bo  teilious  to  fire  it  in  all  its  [lavts, 
fionio  of  whii'h  were  partially  fin^-pronf, 
they  determined  and  had  announced  their 
intention  to  tiie  inhal)itants  nearest  the 
building,  to  blow  it  up,  whose   expostuhv 


During  tht;  25th  of  August,  a  violent 
tornado  came  over  the  city  d'  \\  iishington, 
seeming  to  exert  its  utmost  rage  on  the 
(.'ajiitol  Mill,  v.hicli  v\as  occupied  by  the 
i>ritish  army,  and  where  si'veral  of  their 
soldiers  were  killed  by  the  blowing  down  of 
houses  and  (diimneys.  The  Jiritish  fleet 
not  having  arrived  at  Washington,  as  was 
expecti'd  by  General  Hoss,  and  not  knowing 
the  pc)sitioii  or  i'ltentions  of  the  American 
army,  it  appears  that  iie  determined  on  a 
retreat  that  night,  and  leaving  his  wounded 
in  'Carndl's  Long  llow,'  whiidi  ho  had 
used  as  a  barrack  >  ">d  hospital,  and  leaving 
seventy  or  eighty  men  to  take  care  of  the 
woijiuled  and  keep  up  that  night  many 
large  camp  iire.s  as  a  nux  ilc  <ji(crre,  ho 
withdr{>\v  his  army  under  cover  id'  the 
night,  and  iiilii-itriously  pursued  his  retro- 
grade moveiii'iit  towards  the  plac'C  of  dis- 
cmbarkali(-n,  without  jierhaiis  giving  liso 


lions,  together  with    the  entreaties  of  tlie    to  any  particular  incident  worthy  of  notice, 
ladies,  prevailed  upon  the  General  to  order  j  save  uuj — which  iu  itself  may  be  consider- 


Cn\p.  VIII.l 


nLAHK.vsninr,  xarrativk. 


lO.'S 


fill  uniniportnnt ;  biif,  Iciiiliii;?  as  it  diil, 
tlirtH'tly,  to  II  iiii))k'  "IVort  iuhI  (Ii-'|iliiy  of 
Anii'rieiiii  g(MiiuH,  iniiy  scciiro  iv  [liif^sinj; 
imtiiM.'. 

"TIio  ftniiv  hiuinj;  pnsscil  tlio  villiiji(>  nf 
Upper    iMurtlionmjfli    tn    ronlc.    lor    tlioir 
slii|)piiin,  loiiviiii^  Hc'vcnil  Htni^jjliTs  to  fol- 
low,   scvtfral    piitlcincii    of    tluit    villuf^o  | 
i'ui'iiicil   the  <l(>tt.-nninittioti  to  cut  hoiih!  of, 
tlu'iii  olFiiiul  iiiako  tlii'iii  priMoin'iH  of  war. ! 
Tlio     prinoipiil   of  those  ;;iMitltiiion    woro 
l)r.  AV  illiain  U(';\ns,    ih  prinK*  mover,  aii<l 
CiciKM'til  Udlii-rt  IJowii!  and  .Inliii  Ilodjrcrs,  j 
wliK  succeeded  in  making  several  iirisoniTs, ! 
wlio  wore   eonli  icd.     Tlio  Uriti.sli  olliicrs, 
li'-ariiig   of   thi!  occurronri',  however,  that  ] 
night  sent  haek  a  strong  party  to  tlio  village,  i 
who    liliorated    the    prisoner-    and    taking! 
tliDse  gentlemen  out  of  their  oeds,  hurried 
them  otf  without  allowing  them  a  moment 
to    clothe    themselves,    and   thus    placing  i 
them  on  old  horses,  carried  th(Mii,no  <Joiil«t,  I 
amid  the  jeers  of  the  soldier'  ,  to  the  ship-| 
ping.     Al'ter  many  entreaties  and  expostii- 1 
lations,  two  of  the  gentlenen  were  let  oft' 
and  permitted  t(t   return    to   I'pper  Marl- 
borough, but  they  considered   l»r.  IJeaiis  a 
fair  prize,  and  determine(l  to  take  him  to 
lliilifax  or   England.     Jlaving  the  Doctor 
on  l)nard,  tlu^  fleet  left  tlo;   I'.ttuxeiit  river, 
and    ascemling    the   Chesapeake   bay,    ap- 
peared otf  Fort  Mclleiiry.     The  numerous 
and  inthnnitial  friends  of  Dr.  Beans  ininie- 
diatidy  set  to  work  to  devise  some  plan  by 
which  an  elfort  might  be  made   to  obtain 
his    release   from  the    fleet :    accordingly, 
a  petition  was  got  up,  signed  Ity  soiiu'  nl'  the 
most  respecttible  citizens  of  I'rince  (ieorge's 
county,  among  whom  were  individuals  who 
had    acted   very    kindly  towards    Colonel 
A\'oo(l  and  other  British  ofticiM's  and  soldiers  [ 
who  had  been  left  in  Jiladi^nsburg  on  the  i 
return   (d"  tlu(   llritish   army,  of  whiidi  the 
commander  of  the   urmy  or  Heet  was   no 
doubt   aware.     These    preparations    being  j 
made,  the  eloquent  and  talented  Francis  S.  ' 
Key,  the  friend   of  J)oetor  Beans,  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  messenger  and  chani]iion  to 
go  to  the  rescue,   lleau'ordingly  pr(ie(!ed(Ml  , 
to  Annapolis,   and   by  means    of  a  small  ! 
craft  and  the  white  iKig.  he  boarded  th(i  j 
adiiiirars  ship,  to  nui!;e  known  his  mission. ! 
Tii;^  fleet  being  about  to  make  an  attack  on  i 
Fort  Mcllenry,  while  the  army  etVected  ai 
lamling  at  North  Point,  Mr.  Ivey  was  do- j 
taiiufd  on   board,  and  compelled,  from   his  I 
I)ositioii,  to  witness  the  furious  bombard- 
ment of  Fort  Mellenry.     The  novelty   of 
his  situation,  a  near  view  of  tlu;  powerful 
means  then  operating  for  the  reduction  of 
Baltimore  to  the  power  of  the  enemy,  and 
the    further  desecration   of  the  American 
flag,  his  solicituile  for  the  successful  resist- 
ance of  his  countrymen,  an<l  noble  emotions 
of  a  patriot  heart  thus  excited  and  warmed, 
produced,  amid  the   storm  and  strife  by 
which  he  was  surrouudcd,  a  momouto  wor- 


thy of  the  man,  and  honorable  to  his 
country;  and  h'lig  will  tb"  '  .Stiir-Sp!iiigli>d 
Banner'  be  sung  to  light  up  in  e\ery 
iVmerieaii  bosom  the  sacred  tire  of  patriotie 
devotion  to  the  tiagof  his  eoimtry. 

"So  anient,  so  aecom|ilisbed  an  advocate 
at  the  bar  of  humanity,  sii]iported  by  tes- 
timonials and  evidence  so  uiie(|niv')ritlly 
proving  the  exricis"  id'  tlo;  most  generous 
and  delicate  oftiees  id'  humanity  towards 
their  wouiuled  compiiiiioiis  in  arms,  yet 
enjoying  the  alleviating  affi  iitions  and 
cares  (d  generiais  enemies  in  a  foreign  land, 
could  Hot  l>e  resivfeil  by  the  eoniiiiander  of 
the  British  forces,  aii'l  the  distingiiisheil 
am)iassa<b'i  .•.xperienecd  the  happv  termi- 
nation of  li.s  mission,  ill  the  siniiiltaiiecti-* 
repiil  'ii>  British  forces  at  evi>rv  point, 

the  •iiuiiph  ami  continued  waving 

>f  ingled  banner,   the   reloaso 

•  if  li  -tor  Beans,  and  their  happy 

him  iiitive  shore. 

'•  I      liat   the  kind  and  g''nerous 

attei;"  -n  to  Colonel  Wood  by  til"  jHiiple  of 
Hlailcii  burg  and  its  viiiiiity,  made  so  ileep 
an  impression  ujn  n  his  feelings,  that  even  ut 
thisdistantday  ( l.'^d.'i).  several  of  those  fami- 
lies from  whom  he  receiveil  personal  atten- 
tion have  had  the  strongest  evidence  of  tlio 
continued  and  unfaltering  friendship  and 
gratitude  id'  that  gallant  and  noble-hearted 
man.  Immediately  after  his  return  to  Kng- 
land,  he  opened  a  correspoiuh.'nce  with  the 
family  of  Kich.ird  Talker  Lowndes,  Hsii.,  of 
BladcMisburg,  which  u|)  to  this  time  has  not 
been  broken  on  his  part.  He  made  a  visit 
to  the  United  States  in  l^l!'),  ami  did  not 
fail  to  visit  the  tdd  battle-ground,  cidlecting 
walking  (lanes  from  the  spot  where  he  fell 
from  JJarney's  tire,  visiting  the  .Id  willow 
tree  under  whosi;  friendly  shad's  l-.e  was  laid 
to  revive,  and  renewing  his  acquaintanco 
with  those  kind  Amerleans  who  hud,  in  the 
hourofsurt'eringand  affliction,  administered 
to  him  those  kind  oftiees  of  humanity  that 
stop  not  toreli(>ve  even  an  enemy  in  distress. 
He  remained  several  weeks  in  the  village  of 
Bladensburg,  making  his  friends  there  ac- 
quainted with  the  strong  sense  of  obligation 
he  was  under  to  them,  made  excursions 
with  them  to  the  neighboring  givoiiuls,  and 
[)(dnted  out  the  different  positions  of  the 
contending  armies,  and  related  the  opiniona 
and  actions  t)f  individuals  within  the  rango 
of  his  observation  and  the  events  of  that 
memorable  campaign.  General  Jackson  be- 
ing then  in  the  Senate,  the  friends  of  Ctdonol 
Wood,  at  his  request,  provided  him  Avith  an 
appropriate  introduction  to  that  American 
soldier,  who,  on  becoming  acquainted  with 
the  gallant  British  soldier,  gave  him  a 
haiuisomc  entertainment  in  company  with 
several  of  his  military  and  other  friends. 

"Colonel  Wood  had  formed  so  favorable 
an  opinion  of  the  American  people  and  their 
institutions  that  he  invested  a  part  of  hi.s 
fortune  in  American  stocks,  and  has  cou:* 


•:ti 

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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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7 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER, NY.  U580 

(716)  872-4503 


196 


UNCIVILIZED  HOSTILITIES. 


[1814. 


Erv; 


tinued,  with  much  feeling  and  intelligence, 
hh  correspondence  with  his  Bladensburg 
friends,  in  which  his  amiable  ladv  has  sym- 
pathetically joined,  and  expressed  her  plea- 
sure in  the  anticipation  of  seeing  her  hus- 
band's American  friends,  on  their  arrival 
in  this  country,  her  husband  (now  General 
Wood)  expecting  to  be  ordered  to  the  Ca- 
nada station." 

Generous  British  sentiment  revolted  at 
the  destruction  of  the  American  capital ; 
which  might  not  have  been  branded  with 
universal  infamy,  if  confined  to  navy  yards, 
warlike  implements,  vessels  of  war  and 
even  private  rope-walks  or  printing  oflSces, 
whatever,  in  the  licentious  construction  of 
British  hostility,  like  their  blockade,  im- 
pressment, search,  contraband,  is  even  con- 
vertible to  belligerent  uses — if  the  enormity 
had  stopped  there.  But  no  warfare  can 
satiate  its  abominable  lust  with  impunity 
on  libraries,  'public  and  private,  halls  of  le- 
gislation, residences  of  magistrates,  build- 
ings of  civil  government,  objects  of  art,  seats 
of  peace  and  embodiment  of  rational  patri- 
ctic  pride.  The  account  of  it  in  the  British 
Annual  Register  of  1814  confesses  that 
none  but  evfls  necessary  to  success  are  jus- 
tifiable ;  which  comprehends  a  wide  scope 
of  mischief,  but  excludes  destruction  of 
useful  or  ornamental  works,  whose  purpose 
is  pacific.  It  confesses  that  retribution  had 
been  made  for  the  Canadian  injuries,  which 
were  alleged  to  be  severe  retaliation.  It  hints 
at  the  deep  and  durable  resentment  that 
must  be  left  in  the  bosoms  of  a  people  with 
whom  peace  is  so  de8irable,whose  vengeance, 
it  may  well  be  added,  can  hardly  be  condemn- 
ed, i^  at  any  sta^e  of  British  decrepitude 
and  American  virility,  London,  as  assailable 
as  Washington,  be  subjected  to  similar  fate 
by  Americans,  which  the  great  British  com- 
mander, Wellington,  warns  his  countrymen 
is  by  no  means  invulnerable.  The  naval 
reputation  and  military  prowess  of  G  eat 
Britain  are  equally  discredited  by  recoi 
lections  of  Washington.  France,  IloUand, 
Denmark,  Spain,  every  maritinie  pjwer  of 
Europe  is  America's  natural  ally  to  revenge 
the  wrongs  of  British  injustice,  and  teach 
the  policy  of  at  least  civilized  hostilities. 

The  public  property  destroyed  at  Wash- 
ington exceeded  two  millions  of  dollars 
■worth.  The  private  houses  and  the  stores 
pillaged  were  those  of  Messrs.  B.  Sprigg, 
Boon,  Burch,  Lon-^,  Kapine,  Watterson, 
McCormick,  Caldwell,  Elliott,  B.  and  G. 
Burns,  Ricks,  Crarapton,  and  Gen.  V/ash- 
ington.  The  dwellings  burnt  were  those  of 
Messrs.  Sewall,  Ball,  Frost,  Phillips,  Toin- 
linson,  and  Mrs.  Hamilton,  the  printing 
office  of  Oalos  &  Seaton,  rope-walk  of 
Ringgold  &  Chalmers,  and  the  rope-walk  of 
Mr.lleath. 

The  great  conqueror  of  modern  times, 
Napoleon,  vilified  by  English  traduction  in 
jpvery  conceivable  term  of  reproach  and  op- 


Erobrium,  captured  nearly  every  capital  in 
iurope,  without  the  wanton  destruction 
committed  by  his  English  revilers.  Ilis 
transfer  to  Paris  of  the  ornaments  of  Italian 
cities  was  reversed  by  their  restoration. 
When  the  justly  provoked  Prussians,  cap- 
tors of  Paris,  tnreatened  to  burn  the 
bridge  of  Jena,  because  the  name  recalled 
their  misfortune,  Louis  XVIII.  prevented 
it  by  a  vow  that  he  would  be  destroyed 
with  that  public  monument  if  attempted. 
All  civilized  nations  recognize  these  prin- 
ciples. Great  Britain  confessed  them  in 
reiterated  falsifications  of  facts,  m  order 
to  excuse  her  atrocities.  Cochrane's  letter 
of  the  18th,  not  delivered  till  the  31st  Au- 
gust, 1814,  alleged  that  he  had  been  called 
upon  by  the  Governor-General  of  Canada 
for  measures  of  retaliation  against  the  in- 
habitants of  the  United  States,  for  the 
wanton  destruction  committed  by  their 
army  in  Upper  Canada;  in  compliance 
witi  which  request  he  resorted  to  seve- 
rities contrary  to  the  usages  of  civilized 
warfare.  But  Monroe's  answer  of  the  6th 
September,  refuted  that  pretext  by  a  sum- 
mary of  British  outrages  prior  to  the  burn- 
ing of  Newark,  in  Canada,  which  was  a 
merely  military  act,  and  disavowed  by  our 
government.  The  chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer, in  November,  1814,  stated  in  the 
House  of  Commons  that  the  Americans  at 
York  not  only  burned  the  house  of  the  go- 
vernor, but  also  every  house,  even  to  a  shed, 
which  was  wholly  untrue,  and  no  doubt  a 
misrepresentation  of  the  burning  of  New- 
ark, mistaken  for  York.  The  Governor-Gene- 
ral of  Canada,  too,  in  his  address  to  the  pro- 
vincial parliament,  the  24th  January,  1815, 
asserted  that,  as  ajust  retribution,  the  proud 
capital  at  Washington  had  experienced  a 
fate  similar  to  that  inflicted  by  an  Ameri- 
can force  on  the  seat  of  government  in  Up- 
per Canada.  But  all  these  excuses  were 
unfounded.  Nothing  was  destroyed  at  York 
but  barracks  and  public  store-houses,  ex- 
cept buildings  which  the  British  thom- 
sclves  blew  up,  as  was  believed,  b^  an  in- 
human contrivance  to  destroy  General  Pike 
and  the  Americans  who  perished  there 
with  him.  One  public  building,  called  the 
parliament  house,  which  was  not  the  go- 
vernment house,  and  in  which  an  Ameri- 
can scalp  was  part  of  the  decoration  of  the 
Speaker  s  chair,  was  indeed  burned ;  but 
whether  by  accident,  by  the  British  them- 
selves in  the  explosion  they  set  ofl",  or  how, 
did  not  appear.  It  was  undeniable,  how- 
ever, that  the  American  officers  set  guards 
with  positive  orders  to  prevent  plunder  and 
fire,  and  that  when  departing,  the  provincial 
Chief  Justice  Scott  addressed  them  a  letter 
of  thanks  for  their  humane  treatment  of  the 
inhabitants  and  particular  attention  to  pro- 
perty and  persons.  Nor  were  complaints  of 
destruction  ever  made  till  long  aftor,  when 
deemed  necessary  to  luiswer  the  Britibh  ac- 


[1814. 

capital  in 

sstruction 
era.    Ilig 
of  Italian 
istoration. 
lians,  cap- 
burn    the 
le  recalled 
[prevented 
I  destroyed 
ttempted. 
lese  prin- 
them  in 
it  order 
le's  letter 
31st  Au- 
>en  called 
•f  Canada 
pt  the  in- 
fer   the 
hy  their 
impliance 
to   seve- 
'  civilized 
f  the  6th 
)y  a  suni- 
tne  burn- 
ch  was  a 
ed  by  our 
the  ex- 
ed  in  the 
)ricaus  at 
of  the  go- 
to a  shed, 
0  doubt  a 
;  of  New- 
nor-Gene- 
0  the  nro- 
iry,  1815, 
the  proud 
riencod  a 
n  Aineri- 
nt  in  Up- 
ses  were 
d  at  York 
IU8C8,  ex- 
h    them- 
t)^  an  in- 
'rul  Pike 
d    there 
illed  the 
the  go- 
Aineri- 
u  of  the 
od;   but 
h  them- 
or  how, 
le,  how- 
guards 
der  and 
Jvincial 
a  letter 
t  of  the 
to  prc- 
ivints  of 
,  when 
lish  ac- 


Chap.  VIII.] 


RETALIATION. 

—» — 


197 


cused  by  all  the  world  of  enormities  at 
Washington.  What  was  done  by  General 
McClure's  order  at  Newark,  in  December, 
1813,  besides  its  immediate  disavowal,  was 
much  more  than  expiated  by  the  revengeful 
devastation  of  Lewistown,  Manchester,  Tus- 
carora,  Buffalo,  Blackrock,  and  that  whole 
region  laid  in  ruins.  The  Governor-Gene- 
ral of  Canada,  Provost,  by  his  proclamation 
of  the  12th  January,  1814,  declared  that 
punishment  had  been  inflicted  for  the  burn- 
ing of  Newark,  a  full  measure,  he  said,  of 
retaliation ;  and  it  was  not  his  intention  to 
pursue  further  a  system  of  warfare  so  re- 
volting, unless  future  measures  of  the  ene- 
my should  compel  resort  to  it.  There  is 
thus  every  reason  to  believe  that  Cochrane's 
assertion  was  false  of  Prevost's  having  called 
on  him  to  retaliate  Canadian  sufferings  by 
American  irregularities.  Cochrane's  of- 
ficial letter  of  the  18th  August,  in  all  its 
statements  and  circumstances,  was  utterly 
unfounded  and  fraudulent,  and  the  outrages 
it  nfficiaUy  announced  after  their  perpetratwn, 
wholly  unjustifiable.  To  palliate  British 
devastations  at  Washington,  moreover,  does 
not  excuse  their  pillage  at  Alexandria,  their 
systematic  depredations  and  piratical  career 
from  the  firpt  moment  of  their  appearance  in 
the  Chesapeake.  To  plunder,  sack  and  burn 
private  houses  is  as  unlawful  as  to  destroy 
public  buildings.  Naval  hostilities,  as  waged 
by  the  British,  are  indeed  indiscriminate 
and  universal  robbery.  Landing  in  Ame- 
rica with  their  profligate  practices,  they 
spoiled  unresisting  villages,  farms  and  per- 
sons, in  1813,  to  which,  in  1814,  by  specific 
orders  from  their  government,  were  super- 
added the  desolation  of  whole  districts, 
plunder  of  towns  and  sack  of  the  metropolis. 
The  immediate  and  enthusiastic  effect  of 
the  fall  of  Washington,  was  electric  re- 
vival of  national  Bpirit  and  universal  en- 
ergy. A  parody  of  Lawrence's  noble  dying 
sentiment  when  defeated,  became  the  well 
nigh  universal  rally,  and  "  Save  the  soil," 
•'  Don't  give  up  the  soil,"  resounded  fro™ 
one  extremity  to  another  of  the  rfniied 
States.  The  smouldering  fires  of  thd  Capi- 
tol wore  spices  of  the  Phoenix  bod,  from 
which  arose  offspring  more  vigorous,  beau- 
tiful and  long  lived.  On  the  2(3th  August, 
Governor  James  Barbour  of  Virginia,  on 
the  27th  Governor  Simon  Snyder  of  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  3d  September,  President 
Madison  by  proclamation,  called  forth  the 

f»eople  in  mass  to  resist  an  enemy,  said  the 
atter,  who  disregards  deliberately  the  nrin- 
ciplcs  of  humanity  and  rules  of  civilized 
warftire,  and  gives  to  warfare  an  extended 
character  of  devastation  and  barbarism, 
while  negotiations  for  peace  of  his  own  in- 
vitation are  pending.  All  the  local  authori- 
ties of  all  the  Atlantic  cities  and  towns, 
Boston  included,  united  with  the  whole 
American  population,  in  erecting  works  of 
defence,  and  preparing  means  of  indomita- 


ble hostility.  The  American  nation  was  in 
ecstasy  of  vindication,  much  of  it  in  arms. 
The  fall  of  Washington  proved  fortunate 
for  the  country,  with  glorious  accompani- 
ments and  early  sequels.  Peace  crowned 
in  Louisiana  by  groat  victories,  raised 
Madison's  administration  to  the  pinnacle 
of  renown.  American  nationality  struck 
down  in  the  political  metropolis,  what 
was  it,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  but  the 
capture  of  an  open  town,  without  walls, 
citadel,  garrison  or  any  kind  of  fortifi- 
cation? Berlin,  Vienna,  Madrid,  Lisbon, 
Moscow,  Munich  and  Paris ;  nearly  every 
capital  in  Europe  had  yielded  to  invaders 
not  long  before  the  fall  of  Washi  ^con ;  all 
defended  by  monarchs,  with  large  standing 
armies,  long  established  military  means, 
and  none  more  exposed  by  geographical 
position  than  the  republican  seat  of  govern- 
ment. From  the  extremities  of  Asia  to  the 
shores  of  Peru,  from  Jenghis  Khan  to  Pi- 
zarro,  what  capital  throughout  the  world 
has  not  been  trampled  upon  by  conqueror's 
hoof?  London  has  often  passed  under  the 
yoke,  must  and  will  again,  peradventure  to 
a  combined  military  and  naval  American 
invasion.  Rome  several  times  almost  an- 
nihilated by  subjugation,  rose  again  to  dic- 
tate laws  to  the  universe.  Canton,  and  well 
nigh  Pekin,  submitted  to  a  few  thousand 
English ;  Mexico  to  a  few  much  more  ad- 
venturous Americans.  And  since  steam 
adds  a  new  element  to  warfare,  the  insular 
security  of  England  is  annulled.  There  is 
nothing  so  despairingly  shameful  to  us,  or 
indelibly  disgraceful  in  the  momentary  loss 
of  our  capital,  that  is  i  ot  mitigated  by  simi- 
lar misfortunes,  and  may  not  be  atoned  for 
by  the  retaliation  it  undoubtedly  warrants. 

One  of  the  first  and  minor  retaliations  of 
the  Washington  outrage,  was  thus  men- 
tioned in  the  London  Times,  of  the  14th 
December,  1814: — "A  privateer  from  Sa- 
vannah had  the  audacity  to  land  on  the 
Bahamas,  and  plunder  and  burn  twenty- 
seven  private  houses.  The  pretence  set  up 
by  this  public-spirited  privateer  was,  that 
of  retaliation  for  our  operations  at  Wash- 
ington." 

What  was  there  in  the  privateer's  in- 
cendiaricim  more  audacious  than  that  of  the 
English  admiral  who  gloated  over  the  ruins 
of  Washington?  the  ashes  of  which  seat 
of  government  in  its  infancy,  and  almost 
without  private  dwellings,  when  the  public 
edifices  were  burnt,  may  keep  alive  smo- 
thered cinders  to  be  rekindled  for  the  confla- 
gration of  London  with  two  millions  of  in- 
habitants. A  few  years  ago,  Mr.  Adams 
having  said  in  Congress  that  a  British  ves- 
sel of  war  might  sail  three  hundred  miles 
up  the  Mississippi  and  burn  Natchez,  I 
replied  that,  so  might  an  American  vessel 
of  war  burn  London,  which  was  said  on  the 
authority  of  one  of  the  most  experienced 
and  least  sanguine  or  boastful  ofiicers  of 


■'•Iji 

<i'k  .1 


198 


DUTCH  ATTACK  OF  LONDON. 


[1814. 


'K   '.L-'i 


the  American  navy.  And  as  some  apology 
for  tho  respectable  gentlemen  of  our  govern- 
ment, whose  unfortunate  expulsion  from 
AVasiiington  I  have  not  hesitated  to  record 
with  painful  truth,  I  nm  tempted  to  insert 
here  the  account  from  an  authoritative  En- 
glisli  historian,  (Clarendon,)  of  tho  success- 
ful attack  of  London  by  the  Dutch,  which, 
in  some  of  its  ludicrous  and  more  of  its  dis- 
graceful particulars,  resembles  the  capture 
of  the  feileral  city. 

"They  had  good  intelligence  how  loosely 
all  things  were  left  in  the  river,  and,  there- 
fore, as  soon  as  the  tide  came  to  help  them, 
they  stood  full  up  the  river  without  any 
consideration  of  the  chain,  which  their 
Bhips  immediately  broke  to  pieces  and 
passed  without  the  least  pause.  All  men 
were  bo  confounded  to  see  the  Dutch  fleet 
advance  over  the  chain,  which  they  looked 
upon  as  a  wall  of  brass,  that  they  knew  not 
what  they  \v  re  to  do.  The  people  of  Chat- 
liam,  which  is  naturally  an  army  of  seamen, 
and  officers  of  the  navy,  who  might,  and 
ought  to  have  secured  all  those  ships  which 
they  had  time  enough  to  liave  done,  were 
in  distraction,  their  chief  officers  having 
applied  all  their  boats  and  lighter  vessels 
to  carry  away  their  own  goods  and  house- 
hold stuff,  and  given  what  they  left  behind 
for  lost.  But  the  noise  of  this,  and  the 
flame  of  the  ships  that  were  burned,  made 
it  easily  believed  in  the  city  of  London,  that 
the  enemy  had  done  all  that  they  conceived 
they  might  have  done.  Nor  was  the  con- 
fusion there  greater  than  it  was  in  the 
Court  itself,  where  they  who  had  most  ad- 
vanced the  war,  and  reproached  all  those 
who  had  been  or  were  thought  to  be  against 
it,  as  men  who  had  no  public  spirit,  and 
were  not  solicitous  for  the  honor  and  glory 
of  the  nation,  and  who  had  never  spoken  of 
the  Dutch  but  with  scorn  and  contempt, 
were  now  the  most  dejected  men  that  can 
be  imagined,  railed  very  bitterly  -  '  ose 
who  had  advised  the  king  to  enter  '  ..t 

war  which  had  alreadv  consumed  e  ^ny 
gallant  men,  and  would  probubly  vuin  the 
kingdom,  and  wislied  that  pt  tvco  as  tho  only 
hope  were  made  upon  any  teiniM.  In  a  word, 
the  distraction  and  copsteriiation  were  so 
great  in  court  and  city  &c.  But  there  re- 
mained still  such  a  chagrin  in  the  minds 
of  many  as  if  they  would  return  again,  in 
which  they  were  confirmed  when  they  heard 
that  they  were  still  upon  the  coasts,  and 
gave  the  same  alarm  now  to  Essex  and  Suf- 
folk as  they  had  to  Kent.  Then  the  train 
bands  which  had  been  drawn  togotlier  had 
continued  for  one  month,  which  was  as 
long  as  the  law  required,  and  now  they 
required,  or  were  said  to  require,  to  be  re- 
lieved or  dismissed,  or  that  they  might 
receive  their  pay.  Tliere  were  discontents 
ami  emulations  upon  command,  and  they 
who  had  usually  yu'ofossed  that  they  would 
villingly  servo' the  king  iu  the  offices  of 


corporals  or  sergeants,  whatever  command 
they  formerly  had,  now  disputed  all  the 
punctilios  and  would  not  receive  orders 
from  any  who  had  formerly  been  in  infe- 
rior offices.  And  all  these  waywardnesses 
were  brought  to  the  king  as  matters  of  the 
highest  consequence,  who  found  difficulty 
enough  in  determining  points  of  more  im- 
portance." 

A  military  work  of  great  reputation, 
Jomini's  "  Summary  of  the  Art  of  AVar," 
says  of  the  expedition  to  Washington, 
"  The  English  performed  an  enterprise 
which  may  be  ranged  among  the  most  ex- 
traordinary, that  against  the  capital  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  To  the  great 
astonishment  of  the  world,  a  handful  of 
seven  or  eight  thousand  English  were  seen 
to  descend  in  the  midst  of  a  state  of  ten 
millions  of  souls,  penetrate  a  considerable 
distance,  seize  the  capital,  and  destroy  the 

Cublic  establishments  there ;  results  which 
istory  may  be  searched  in  vain  for  another 
example  of.  We  mfght  be  tempted  to  ac- 
cuse the  republican  and  anti-military  habits 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this,  if  we  had  not  seen 
tho  militia  of  Greece,  Rome  and  Switzer- 
land, better  defend  their  homes  against 
much  more  formidable  aggressions,  and  if, 
in  the  same  year,  a  more  numerous  English 
expedition  had  not  been  totally  defeated  by 
the  militia  of  Louisiana,  under  the  orders 
of  General  Jackson." 

But  even  as  a  military  incursion,  what 
was  there  in  four  thousand  veterans  sur- 

[ arising  six  thousand  mere  unpractised 
evies,  with  their  officers  bewildered,  at 
a  loss  who  commanded  among  the  crowd 
of  apparent  leaders,  some  of  tlic  men  but 
half  armed,  all  exhausted  by  heat,  fatigue 
and  hunger,  and  more  than  prepared  for 
defeat? 

And  what  must  Christendom  say  of  the 
British  conquerors  ?  Their  own  Parliament 
house  heard,  without  possibility  of  reply, 
explanation,  or  apology,  from  one  of  its  most 
eloquent  and  enlightened  statesmen  and 
iiistorians.  Mackintosh,  that  by  the  attack 
on  Washington,  the  British  arms  were  dis- 
graced by  victorious  outrage  upon  the  peace- 
ful seat  of  a  great  government,  upon  halls 
of  senates  and  palaces  of  justice,  by  an  en- 
terprise which  most  exasperated  a  people, 
ana  least  weakened  a  government  of  any 
recorded  in  the  annals  of  war.  In  tho  de- 
bate on  the  Treaty  of  Ghent,  Mackintosh 
declared  that "  ho  lamented  and  reprobated 
those  vulgar  prejudices,  and  that  insolent 
language  against  the  people  of  America, 
of  late  so  prevalent  in  England,  which  had 
reached  so  extravagant  a  height,  that  men 
respectable  in  character  and  station  had 
spoken  in  Parliament  of  the  deposition  of 
Mr.  Madison  as  a  jusllfiahte  ohject  of  war, 
and  had  treated  a  gentleman  of  English 
extraction  and  eduoution  with  a  scurrility 
which  they  must  now  be  the  first  to  regret, 


[1814. 

command 
bd  all  the 
pve  orders 
In  in  info- 
Tardnessos 
^ers  of  the 
difficulty 
more  im- 

eputation, 
'  of  War," 
ishington, 
[enterprise 
b  most  cx- 
|ital  of  the 
the  great 
andful  of 
[were  soon 
tte  of  ten 
isiderablo 
!8troy  the 
_ilts  which 
)r  another 
>ted  to  ac- 
nry  habits 
d  not  seen 
Switzer- 
9   against 
18,  and  if, 
18  English 
ifeatcd  by 
he  orders 

ion,  what 
rans  sur- 
ipractised 
dored,  at 
he  crowd 
men  but 
t,  fatigue 
mred  for 

ly  of  the 

rliament 

^f  reply, 
its  most 

lien  and 

e  attack 

cere  dis- 

le  poace- 

on  halls 

y  an  en- 
people, 

;  of  any 
the  de- 

kintosh 

robatcd 

nsolent 

nierica, 

ich  had 

iii  men 

)n  had 

ition  of 

>f  war, 

English 

irrility 

regret, 


Chap.  VIII.] 


MACKINTOSH. 


199 


from  no  batter  reason  than  that  wo  happen- 
ed to  be  at  Avar  with  the  great  republic  over 
which  he  presides."  "It  was  imp^«siblo  to 
explain  the  delay  between  peace  with  Louis 
XYIII.,  in  April,  but  on  the  miserable  ^lo- 
llcy  of  protracting  war  for  the  sake  of  strik- 
ing a  biow  against  America.  The  disgrace 
of  the  local  wars,  of  balanced  success  be- 
tween the  British  navy  and  the  new-born 
marine  of  America,  was  to  be  redeemed  by 
protracted  warfare,  and  by  pouring  our  vic- 
torious armies  upon  the  American  continent. 
That  opportunity,  fatally  for  us,  arose.  If 
the  Congress  at  (Jhent  had  opened  in  June, 
it  was  impossible  that  we  should  Imve  sent 
out  orders  for  the  attack  on  WasJiintftou.  We 
should  have  been  saved  from  that  success, 
a  thousand  times  more  disgraceful  and  dis- 
astrous than  the  worst  defeat,  and  charge- 
able on  the  delay  of  negotiations.  It  was  a 
success  which  made  our  naval  power  hate- 
ful and  alarming  to  all  Europe;  which  gave 
the  hearts  of  the  American  i)eople  to  every 
enemy  who  might  rise  against  England ; 
an  enterprise  which  most  exasperated  a  peo- 
ple, and  least  weakened  a  (jorernment  of  any 
recorded  in  the  annals  of  war." 

"  For  every  justifiable  purpose  of  present 
warfare,  it  was  almost  impotent.  To  every 
wise  object  of  prospective  policy,  it  was  Ikis- 
tile.  It  was  an  attack,  not  against  the 
strength  or  the  resources  of  a  state,  but 
against  the  national  honor  and  public  affec- 
tions of  a  people.  After  twenty-five  years 
of  the  fiercest  warfare,  in  which  every  great 
capital  of  Europe  hacl  been  spared,  almost 
respected  by  enemies,  it  was  reserved  for 
England  to  violate  all  that  decent  courtesy 
towards  the  seats  of  national  dignity  which, 
in  the  midst  of  enmity,  manifests  the  respect 
of  nations  for  each  other,  by  an  expedition 
deliberately  and  principally  directed  against 
palaces  of  government,  halls  of  legislation, 
tribunals  of  justice,  repositories  of  the  mu- 
niments of  property,  and  of  the  records  of 
history— objects,  among  civilized  nations, 
exempted  from  the  ravages  of  war,  and  se- 
cured, as  far  as  possible,  even  from  its  ac- 
cidental operation,  because  they  contribute 
nothing  to  the  means  of  hostility,  but  are 
consecrated  to  purposes  of  peace,  and  mi- 
nister to  the  common  and  perpetual  interest 
of  all  human  society.  It  seemed  an  aggra- 
vation of  this  atrocious  measure,  that  minis- 
ters had  attempted  to  justify  the  destruction 
of  a  distinguished  capital,  as  a  retaliation 
for  some  violences  of  imperious  American 
officers,  unauthorized  and  disavowed  by 
their  government,  against  some  unknown 
village  in  Canada.  To  make  such  retalia- 
tion just,  there  must  always  be  clear  proof 
of  the  outrage;  in  general,  also,  sufficient 
evidence  that  the  ailvcrso  government  re- 
fused to  make  due  reparation  for  it,  and  at 
least  some  proportion  of  the  punishment  to 
the  offence.  Here  there  was  very  imperfect 
evidence  of  the  outrage,  uo  proof  of  refusal 


to  repair,  and  demonstration  of  the  excess- 
ive and  monstrous  iniquity  of  what  was 
falsely  callnl  vetaliation.  The  value  of  a 
capital  is  not  to  be  estimated  by  its  liousof!, 
an  1  warehouses,  and  shops.  It  consisted 
chiefly  in  what  could  be  neither  numbered 
nor  weighed.  It  was  not  even  by  the  ele- 
gance or  grandeur  of  its  monuments  that 
it  was  most  dear  to  a  generous  people. 
They  looked  upon  it  with  affection  and 
pride  as  the  seat  of  legislation,  as  the  sanc- 
tuar}' of  public  justice — often  as  linked  wit 
the  memory  of  past  times — sometimes  still 
more  as  connected  with  their  fondest  and 
proudest  hopes  of  greatness  to  come.  To 
j)ut  all  those  respectable  feelings  of  a  great 
jteople,  sanctified  by  the  illustrious  name 
of  Washington,  on  a  level  with  half  a  dozen 
wooden  sheds  in  the  temporary  seat  of  a 
provincial  government,  was  an  act  of  in- 
tolerable insolence,  and  implied  as  much 
contempt  for  the  feelings  of  America  as  for 
the  common  sense  of  mankind." 

To  make  the  enemy  himself  toll  as  much 
as  possible  of  these  events,  lot  us  resunio 
here,  from  the  author  of  the  British  cam- 
paign, what  took  place  on  the  retreat  of  the 
con((ucrors  after  the  ruin  of  Washington, 
of  their  own  reputation  and  the  historical 
dishonor  of  their  great  country. 

"When  the  hurricane  had  blown  over, 
the  caujp  of  the  Americans  appeared  to  bo 
in  as  great  a  state  of  confusion  as  our  own ; 
nor  could  either  party  recover  themselves 
sufficiently,  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  to 
try  the  fortune  of  a  battle.  Of  this  General 
Ross  did  not  fail  to  take  advantage.  lie 
had  already  attained  all  that  he  could  hope, 
and  perhaps  more  than  he  originally  ex- 
pected to  attain ;  consequently,  to  risk  ano- 
ther action  would  only  be  to  spill  blood  for 
no  purpose.  Whatever  might  be  the  issue 
of  the  contest,  he  could  derive  from  it  no 
advantage.  If  he  were  victorious,  it  would 
not  destroy  the  necessity  which  existed  of 
evacuating  Washington;  if  defeated,  his 
ruin  was  certain.  To  avoid  fighting  was, 
therefore,  his  object;  and  perhaps  he  owed 
its  accomplishment  to  the  fortunate  occur- 
rence of  the  storm.  Be  that,  however,  as 
it  may,  a  retreat  was  resolved  upon;  and 
we  now  only  waited  for  night,  to  put  the 
resolution  into  practice. 

"As  soon  as  these  arrangements  were  com- 
pleted, and  darkness  had  come  on,  the  third 
brigade,  which  was  posted  in  the  rear  of  our 
army,  began  its  i-etreat.  Then  followed  the 
guns;  afterwards  the  second,  and,  last  of 
all,  the  light  brigade,  exactly  reversing  the 
order  which  had  been  maintained  during 
the  advance.  Instead  of  an  advanced  guard, 
this  last  now  furnished  a  party  to  cover  tlie 
retreat,  and  the  wlude  procession  was  closed 
by  the  mounted  drivers. 

"  It  being  matter  of  great  importance  to 
deceive  the  enemy,  and  to  prevent  pursuit, 
the  rear  of  the  column  did  not  quit  its 


U' 


IS' 


200 


BRITISH  RETREAT. 


[1814. 


it  HI'. 


^i^--, 

'»   ■    *% 


»tvi 


ml 

111  : 


ground  upon  the  capital  till  a  late  hour. 
During  the  day  an  order  had  been  issued 
tha^  none  of  the  inhabitants  should  bo  seen 
in  ho  streets  after  eight  o'clock;  and  as 
foar  renders  most  men  obedient,  this  order 
■was  punctually  attended  to.  All  the  horses 
belonging  to  different  oflieers  had  likewise 
been  removed  to  drag  the  guns;  nor  was 
any  one  allowed  to  ride,  lest  a  neigh,  or 
even  the  trampling  of  hoofs,  should  excite 
suspicion.  The  fires  were  trimmed,  and 
made  to  blaze  bright,  and  fuel  enough  left 
to  keep  them  so  for  some  hours ;  and  finally, 
about  half  past  nine  o'clock,  the  troops 
formed  in  marching  order,  and  moved  off 
in  the  most  profound  silence.  Not  a  word 
was  spoken,  nor  a  single  individual  permit- 
ted to  step  one  inch  out  of  his  place ;  and 
thus  they  passed  along  the  streets  perfectly 
unnoticed,  and  cleared  the  town  without 
any  alarm  being  given.  You  v.'ill  imagine 
that  our  pace  was  none  of  the  most  tardy ; 
consequently,  it  was  not  long  before  we 
reached  the  ground  which  had  been  occu- 
pied by  the  other  brigades.  Here  wo  found 
a  second  line  of  fires,  blazing  in  the  same 
manner  as  those  deserted  by  ourselves,  and 
the  same  precautions,  in  every  respect, 
adopted  to  induce  a  belief  that  our  army 
was  still  quiet.  Beyond  those,  again,  we 
found  two  or  three  solitary  fires,  placed  in 
such  order  as  to  resemble  those  of  a  chain 
of  pickets.  In  short,  the  deception  was  so 
well  managed  that  even  we,  ourselves,  were 
at  first  doubtful  whether  the  rest  of  the 
troops  had  withdrawn. 

"By  the  time  we  reached  the  ^ound 
where  yesterday's  battle  had  been  fought, 
the  moon  rose,  and  exhibited  a  spectacle  by 
no  means  enlivening.  The  dead  were  still 
unburied,  and  lay  about  in  every  direction, 
completely  naked.  They  had  been  stripped 
even  of  their  shirts;  and,  having  been  ex- 
posed in  this  state  to  the  violent  rain  in 
the  morning,  they  appeared  to  bo  bleached 
to  a  most  unnatural  degree  of  whiteness. 
The  heat  and  rain  together  had  likewise  af- 
fected them  in  a  different  manner;  and  the 
smell  which  arose  upon  the  night  air  was 
horrible. 

"  In  Bladensburg  the  brigade  halted  for 
an  hour,  while  those  men  who  had  thrown 
away  their  knapsacks  endeavored  to  reco- 
ver them.  During  this  interval,  I  strolled 
up  to  a  house  which  had  been  converted 
into  an  hospital,  and  paid  a  hasty  visit  to 
the  wounded.  I  found  them  in  great  pain, 
and  some  of  them  deeply  affected  at  the 
thought  of  being  abandoned  by  their  com- 
rades, and  left  to  the  mercy  of  their  ene- 
mies. Yet,  in  their  apprehension  of  evil 
treatment  from  the  Americans,  the  event 
proved  that  they  had  done  injustice  to  that 
people,  who  were  found  to  possess  at  least 
one  generous  trait  in  their  character,  name- 
ly, that  of  behaving  kindly  and  attentively 
to  their  prisoners.    As  soon  as  the  strag- 


glers had  returned  to  their  ranks,  wo  again 
moved  on,  continuing  to  march  without 
once  stopping  to  rest  during  the  whole  of 
the  night.  Of  the  fatigue  of  a  night  march 
none  but  those  who  have  experienced  it  can 
form  the  smallest  conception. 

"Oppressed  with  the  most  intolerable 
drowsiness,  we  were  absolutely  dozing  upon 
our  legs ;  and  if  any  check  a*t  the  head  of 
the  column  caused  a  momentary  delay, 
the  road  was  instantly  covered  with  men 
fast  asleep.  It  is  generally  acknowledged, 
that  no  inclination  is  so  difficult  to  resist, 
as  the  inclination  to  sleep;  but  when  you 
arc  compelled  not  only  to  bear  up  against 
this,  but  to  struggle  also  with  weariness, 
and  to  walk  at  the  same  time,  it  is  scarcely 
possible  to  hold  out  long.  By  seven  o'clock 
m  the  morning,  it  was  therefore  absolutely 
necessary  to  pause,  because  numbers  had 
already  fallen  behind,  and  numbers  more 
were  ready  to  follow  their  example ;  when, 
thrawing  ourselves  upon  the  ground,  almost 
in  the  same  order  in  which  we  had  marched, 
in  loss  than  five  minutes  there  was  not  a 
single  unclosed  eye  throughout  the  whole 
brigade.  Pickets  were  of  course  stationed, 
and  sentinels  placed,  to  whom  no  rest  was 
granted,  but  except  these,  the  entire  army 
resembled  a  heap  of  dead  bodies  on  a  field 
of  battle,  rather  than  living  men. 

"  In  this  situation  we  remained  till  noon, 
when  we  were  again  roused  to  continue  the 
retreat.  Though  the  sun  was  oppressively 
powerful,  we  moved  on  without  resting  till 
dark,  when,  having  arrived  at  our  old  po- 
sition near  Marlborough,  we  halted  for  the 
night.  During  this  day's  march,  we  were 
joined  by  numbers  of  negro  slaves,  who  im- 
plored us  to  take  them  along  with  us,  offer- 
ing to  serve  either  as  soldiers  or  sailors,  if 
we  would  but  give  them  their  liberty ;  but 
as  General  Ross  persisted  in  protecting  pri- 
vate property  of  every  description,  few  of 
them  were  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  their 
wishes." 

Another  English  witness  adds,  what  is 
quoted  to  show  how  extremely  insignificant 
that  collection  of  hamlets  called  a  city  was, 
of  which  the  spoilers  destroyed  all  that  was 
at  all  city-like. 

"Of  the  city  of  Washington,  I  have  pur- 
posely declined  attempting  any  minute  de- 
scription, because  it  possessed  no  leading 
features,  by  which  one  might  convey  to  a 
person  who  has  not  seen  it,  something  like 
an  accurate  notion  of  the  whole.  It  is  as 
you  are  well  aware,  completely  in  its  infancy, 
few  of  the  streets  being  finished,  and  many 
not  containing  more  than  three  or  four 
houses,  at  wide  intervals  from  each  other. 
Like  all  other  infant  towns,  it  is  but  little 
ornamented  with  fine  buildings,"  &o. 

Such  was  the  affair  of  Bladensburg,  less 
derogatory  in  its  military  than  in  most  other 
respects,  to  American  character.  Under 
all  the  circumstances,  it  is  rather  surprising 


by 


Chap.  VIII.] 


MR.  SKRURIER. 


201 


that  80  obstinate  a  stand  was  made,  as  cer- 
tainly was,  by  part  of  our  people.  "  Every 
military  man  knows,"  says  an  English  rc- 
Ticw  of  the  affair,  "  how  little  comparatively 
formidable,  an  imperfectly  disciplined  body 
of  men,  however  numerous,  is  usually  found 
to  be  when  put  to  the  test."  Such  was  no 
doubt  General  Armstrong's  opinion  as  he 
expressed  it,  and  General  Winder's  appre- 
hension. History  is  full  of  instances  in 
which  an  enemy  commanding  the  sea  has 
made  successful  inroads  at  selected  points 
of  attack.  In  the  advance  of  a  column  of 
regular  troops  there  is  something  in  the 
steadiness  and  precision,  which,  before  the 
actual  shock,  puts  irregular  levies  to  fear,  if 
not  flight.  When  taken  just  from  the  bosom 
of  civil  life,  and  thrown  together  for  battle, 
ignorant  how  far  they  may  rely  on  their 
comrades  or  their  leaders,  they  can  seldom 
be  inaccessible  to  misgivings,  which  at  the 
critical  moment  manifest  themselves  in  fal- 
tering, panic,  and  flight.  The  misfortune 
was  that  our  raw  troops  had  never  been 
made  to  feel  their  foes  and  rouse  their  blood 
by  an  exchange  of  bloodshed.  Hence  the 
admirable  judgment,  no  less  than  daring 
courage  of  Jackson's  plan  of  operations, 
when,  by  becoming  the  assailant  on  the  23d 
December,  every  man  was  prepared  for  the 
8th  January.  "  To  undertake  the  duty  of 
a  picket,  was  as  dangerous"  (says  the  same 
narrator  of  the  Washington  campaign),  as 
to  go  into  action.  Parties  of  American 
sharpshooters  harassed  and  disturbed  the 
one  appointed  to  that  service  from  the 
time  they  took  possession  of  their  post  till 
they  were  relieved,  while  to  light  fires  at 
night  was  impossible,  because  they  seemed 
but  as  certain  marks  for  the  enemy's  gun- 
men. From  sunset  till  towards  dawn  we 
were  kopt  in  a  constant  state  of  anxiety 
and  agitation.  The  entire  night  was  spent 
in  watching,  or  in  broken  slumbers,  than 
which  nothing  is  more  trying  both  to  the 
health  and  spirits  of  the  army.  Night  and 
day  were  we  harassed  by  danger,  against 
which  there  was  no  fortifying  ourselves. 
We  never  closed  our  eyes  in  peace,  for  we 
were  sure  to  be  awakened  before  many 
minutes  elapsed,  by  the  splash  of  a  round 
shot  or  shell  in  the  mud  beside  us.  With 
the  outposts  again  there  was  constant  skir- 
mishing. Every  day  they  were  attacked, 
and  compelled  to  maintain  their  ground  by 
dint  of  hard  fighting.'' 

At  New  Orleans  all  the  fear  was  English, 
and  all  the  activity  American.  From  the 
first  moment  incessant  and  tormenting  as- 
saults, planned  and  executed  by  a  com- 
mander, who,  though  not  a  Baltimore  law- 
yer, was  but  a  Tennessee  planter,  loss  versed 
in  the  theory  and  science  of  warfare  than 
the  commander  at  Bladensburg,  and  with 
much  less  experience  of  military  operations. 
But  by  his  admirable  plan  every  innn  under 
his  command  had  been  brought  into  coniact 


with  the  enemy,  so  as  to  remove  every  feel- 
ing of  American  inferiority,  and  <lissipato 
all  confidence  of  British  superiority. 

While  the  trembling  commanders  rioted 
in  devastation  of  public  property,  which  the 
military  leader  appeared  solicitous,  more 
perhaps  for  the  maintenance  of  discipline, 
than  respect  to  private  things,  to  preserve 
from  the  jyillago  of  his  soldiery,  the 
churches  were  undisturbed,  although  their 
destruction  would  be  no  more  sacrile- 
gious than  that  of  the  Oapitol  and  public 
offices.  Mr.  Matthews,  the  aged  priest  of 
St.  Patrick's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
Dr.  Lowrie,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian, 
kept  their  awcllings  open  near  their 
church  js,  bravely  abiding  whatever  might 
betide  themselves  or  their  altars.  The 
Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of  Kentucky,  Dr. 
Fenwick,  generously  remonstrating  against 
the  plunder  of  a  farm  house,  where  he  hap- 
pened to  be,  on  the  advance  of  the  British, 
after  the  battle,  toward  the  city,  was  rudely 
seized,  denying  his  assurances  that  he  was 
a  clergyman,  and  sent  on  foot  in  custody 
of  four  of  the  negro  British  troops  to  con- 
finement with  other  prisoners  at  Bladens- 
burg. On  the  retreat  next  night,  ho  applied 
for  release  to  General  Ross,  halting  at  Bla- 
densburg, who  liberated  him.  The  bishop 
requesting  a  written  safe  conduct  to  pro- 
tect him  from  recapture  on  his  way  to 
Washington,  the  general,  who,  overheated, 
had  thrown  off  his  coat,  snatched  it  hastily 
from  a  chair,  and  taking  the  first  piece  of 
paper  fro  n  the  pocket,  penciled  the  desired 
passport  on  what  proved  to  bo  a  note  to 
nim  from  Mr.  Serurier,  the  French  minister 
in  Washington,  bespeaking  safety  for  hia 
residence  and  the  French  embassy  during 
the  British  stay  there.  To  protect  Colonel 
Tayloe's,  the  most  elegant  house  in  Wash- 
ington, from  plunder  or  burning,  Mr.  Seru- 
rier took  possession  of  it  for  a  few  days 
during  the  invasion.  From  the  roof  floated 
a  large  sheet  on  a  pole,  the  white  flag  of  the 
Bourbons  and  sign  of  peace  between  France 
and  England ;  to  which  symbol  of  good 
will  the  French  minister  added  an  invitation 
to  the  British  general  and  admiral  to  honor 
him  with  their  company  at  dinner;  atten- 
tion which,  if  tendered,  was  declined.  The 
note '  f  the  minister  to  the  general  was  soon 
restored  by  Mr.  Matthews  to  Mr.  Serurier, 
with  the  jocular  remark  that  his  excellency 
for  a  Frenchman  and  Bonapartist  was  very 
intimate  with  the  captors  of  Paris  and 
Washington.  "  Not  more  so  than  you," 
replied  Mr.  Serurier,  "  if  you  got  my  note 
from  the  British  general ;"  which  reply 
produced  the  explanation  that  Mr.  Matthews 
received  the  equivocal  papor  from  Dr. 
Fenwick,  and  how  he  became  possessed 
of  what  it  was  thought  best  to  restore 
to  the  French  minister.  A  few  months 
afterwards,  during  the  hundred  days  of 
Napoleon's  short  lived  restoration  to  hia 


IV, 

f: : 


V- 


'!|! 


!•;•-[;>' 


•ij 
II 


202 


ALEXANDRIA. 


[1814. 


ir:  ;i 

.1./  .' 

b;':  V 

j/n  '■;  ■  ■ 

- 

;'  ''  ■•■ 

. 

^l;i- 

§'■'■ 

Wii> 

m 

W»(  •>.;  ■ 

'.  ■.    / ' 

"^ 

^'^' 

•^ 

My*' 

m\'l 

, 

Kll; 

^i 

Hn  ^'  '' 

t 

Hit: 

t 

n  ( i^ 

•! 

imperial  throne,  an  untoward  rifficial  note 
fmin  Mr.  Scrurier,  luldrosNtid  from  Wash- 
iiii;ton  to  the  imperial,  was  rccoivod  after 
bin  ciiminatiim,  bv  tlie  royal  secretary  for 
foreign  aitairs,  who  superseded  him,  antl 
diflplaeod  the  only  forei;;n  minister  of  the 
imperial  government  of  France  left  till  then 
l»y  the  royal  restoration.  Mr.  Serurier,  hy 
impulsive  declaration  of  his  sentiments,  lust 
his  place  and  incurred  many  years  of  penu- 
rious disgrace,  for  violating  Talleyrand's 
rule  of  diplonnicy,  never  to  do  to-day  what 
can  bo  j»ut  off  till  tct-morrow;  dogma  of 
the  sober  second  thought  more  extolled  than 
deserving.  And  while  writing  this  para- 
graph at  AV'ashington,  in  Man^h,  1848,  by 
another  French  licvolution  Mr.  Serurier 
ceases  to  be  a  French  peer,  his  American 
born  son  to  bo  the  accredited  agent  of 
another  French  dynasty  in  South  America, 
liis  American  born  brother-in-law  Pageot, 
to  be  the  accredited  minister  of  France  iu 
the  United  States.  Always  in  salutary 
commotion,  V)ut  never  in  sanguinary  revo- 
lution, this  country  ])eacealdy  contemplates 
the  throes  of  the  Old  World  agonized  by 
endless  civil  and  foreign  wars. 

The  retreating  British  army,  worn  down 
with  loss  of  rest  and  flight,  was  so  much 
more  panic-stricken  and  disiu-derly  than  as 
described  in  the  account  of  one  of  the  fugi- 
tives, that  almost  any  intre{)id  American 
force  must  have  overpowered  them.  Dr. 
Kent,  of  the  Marylaiul  delegation  in  Con- 
gress, whose  residence  was  near  Bladens- 
burg,  with  his  slaves  pursued  and  captured 
several  weary  stragglers  from  the  column, 
returning  bootless  and  discontented,  ready- 
to  submit  with  gratitude  to  any  American 
rescue  of  them  fnmi  the  rigors  of  British 
thraldom.  One  of  the  fugitive  slaves,  con- 
fessed by  the  Fnglish  narrative  as  purloined 
by  Oeneral  Ross,  was  of  that  peeuhar  race  of 
bright  mulatto  girls,  resplendent  with  phy- 
sical loveliness,  sculptured  form,  beautiful 
countenance,  caressing  humility,  amorous 
difBdence  and  winning  gr.ace,  who,  not- 
withstanding the  want  of  that  silk-flowing 
liair  which  is  so  charming  a  feature  of 
female  attraction,  and  even  in  spite  of  the 
bodily  impurities  which  mark  that  race, 
seem,  in  the  Kastern  eloquence  of  scrip- 
tural description  as  if  "  the  dow  of  tlnsir 
birth  is  of  the  womb  of  the  morning."  She 
became  the  wife  of  an  English  sergeant,  a 
well-favored  and  respectable  man,  wiio  had 
none  of  the  American  repugnance  to  Afri- 
can Connection  which  the  fetid  degradation 
of  slavery  at  b-ast  contributes  to  ci'eate, 
but  in  England  is  subdued  into  almost  ]ire- 
ference  <»f  black  rather  than  white.  An- 
other of  those  fugitive  slaves  changed 
bondage  for  better  fortune:  an  extremely 
black  negro,  shining  like  ])olished  ebony, 
with  the  musical  tident  common  to  ni(>n  de- 
prived of  civil  enjoyments  an<l  j)olitical 
privileges,  for  which  softer  pleasures  be- 


come an  alternative.  Taken  into  a  regi- 
mental baud,  the  untutored  slav(>  learned  to 
be  a  proficient  on  several  instruments,  and 
the  admiration  of  all  for  his  remarkalilo 
figure,  which  won  the  Imart  of  an  Engli>.ii 
Desdemona,  as  fair  and  nnldy  as  her  luis- 
band  was  dark  and  cidorless;  the  sooty 
bosom,  African  secretions,  and  other  Ann-n- 
can  objections  to  connubial  union  of  the 
white  and  black  blood,  having  no  force  with 
a  decent  English  woman,  jiroud  of  a  hus- 
band for  whom  she  would  in  this  country 
have  been  the  scorn  of  her  own  sex  and  the 
aversion  of  all.  Is  this  owing  to  shivery, 
to  prejudice,  to  nature — to  what  nnxy  |iiii- 
losophy  ascribe  the  aristocracy  of  the  skin 
in  a  democratic  country  which  has  no  exist- 
ence in  one  so  aristocratic  as  England? 

The  two  episodes  to  the  Washington  epic 
may  be  sotm  told.  Cajitain  tiordon  in  the 
Seahorse  frigate,  witli  the  Euryalus,  Cap- 
tain Napier,  and  some  smaller  vessels,  on 
the  17th  August,  1814,  left  the  British 
fleet  to  work  a  diflicult  and  slow  pas- 
sage, without  pilots,  up  the  Potomac  to 
Alexandria.  They  did  not  ))ass  Mount 
Vernon,  the  residence  and  buri.il-place  of 
AVashingtfin,  or  reach  Fort  Warburton 
between  it  and  Alexandria,  till  the  27th 
August,  three  days  after  the  fall  of,  and 
one  after  the  British  retii'cnient  fioni, 
Washington.  On  the  evening  of  the  27th, 
after  a  slight  bombardment  of  that  fort, 
and  a  pow<ler  magazine  in  it  exploded,  the 
garrison  hastily  evacuated,  and  next  nunn- 
ing  the  enemy  took  possession  of  it;  for 
which  the  captain  c(mimanding  was  tried 
by  a  court  martial,  of  which  (Jeucral  Scott 
was  president,  and  cashiered.  On  Sunday, 
the  2'.)th  August,  the  British  scpuvdron 
buoyed  up  the  river  and  anchored  at  Alex- 
andria, when  the  commim  council,  un])ro- 
vided  with  means  of  defence,  and  extremely 
inimical  to  Madison's  administration,  at 
once  surrendered  by  capitulation,  stipulat- 
ing that  the  inhabitants  should  not  bo  mo- 
lested, nor  the  town,  except  joiblic  works, 
destroyed :  but  merchandizt*  of  every  de- 
scription, with  vessels  to  lade  it  in,  includ- 
ing all  removed  during  the  prior  ton  days, 
given  up.  Twenty-one  merchant  vessids 
were  accordingly  taken,  loaded  with  sixteen 
thousand  barrels  of  flour,  a  thousand  hogs- 
headsof  tobacco,  somecotton,  and  aconsider- 
able  c|iiantity  of  other  goods.  After  secur- 
ing this  booty  before  G(>rd<m's  purposes  of 
either  plunder  or  devastation  were  fully 
effected,  he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  Al- 
exandria, both  by  an  order  from  Admiral 
Cochrane,  and  the  attacks  of  Commodores 
Rodgers,  Porter,  and  Perry,  with  a  party 
of  Virginia  militia  under  General  Hunger- 
ford,  who  all  harassed  his  retreat  down  the 
river. 

Admiral  Cochranc's  letter  of  the  18th 
August,  1814,  t<(  the  Seeretary  of  State, 
officially  aunouucing  the  British  resolve  of 


Chap.  VIII.] 


BRITISH  SQUADRON. 

-♦- 


203 


uncivilized  and  inliumnn  dovaHtulion,  not  I  iil»out»,  caused  tlicir  sus]iiiMon  tliat  the  do- 
only  did  not  reach  Mr.  Mniinie  till  the  ."'.Ist  i  iiartiiu'ut  of  wtate  was  iilayinp  fiilsc.  On 
Aupist,  a  week  after  the  Hack  of  Washinj;;- 1  r  riduy,  the  2d  S(!j»teinlier,  the  |)<l^^tm;lst(■^ 
toll,  but  wa;<  not  sent  from  the  adtuiral's  i  fniiiid  in  his  liox  ('(Mirin^^toii'H  Htiaii;;i'  let- 
ship  till  the  2',)th  Auj^ust,  and  tlii^n  irre>;u- 1  U^v,  enelosed  in  niiolher,  without  iiuiiie, 
larly  tranHinitt«d,  not  hy  a  fla;;  of  truce,  \  date,  or  |ioHtniark.  addressed  to  "The  eoiii- 
whieh  would  not  luive  eonijiorted  with  so  initteo  of  vij;ilaiice  or  safety  of  the  town 
fttroeious  a  nicsHage;  hut  surrejititiously  of  Alexandria,"  <"ontainin(j;  these  words: 
thnaigh  the  instrumentality  of  an  iinvjioii-  "Oentlenien,  motives  of  a  personal  nature 
sihle,  indeed  unknown,  American  go-)ie- 1  prevent  my  ileliverinp;  tiie  enclosure.  You 
tween,  the  (diject  of  eharf^inj;  whom  with  j  will  judj^i*  of  the  propriety  of  didng  it  in 
it  was  proliahly  to  8ond  another  illicit  com-  j  vour  oflicial  character  vil/miit  toss  of  time." 
iiiunication,  an  open  note,  from  Oodrinnton,  i  \n  the  feverish  condition  of  j>eople,  till  ex- 
eiiptainoftheflciet.orderiii.ntiordon  to  retire  plained,  these  notes  were  suhjeets  of  recri- 
frein  Alexandria.  Laiuhid  from  the  iKlmiral's  !  niination  between  the  Alexandrians  and 
ship  in  the  Patuxent,  and  there  delivered  1  the  government,  and  as  such,  came  before 


to  an  American  unknown,  were  a  sealed 
packet  to  General  Mason,  American  com- 
missary of  prisoners,  accompanying  the  let- 
ter of  the  18th  August  to  Mr.  Monroe,  and 
Captain  Codrington's  ojien  note  to  Cajitain 
Gia'don.     The  countrvman,  to  whom  tiiese 


the  investigating  committee  of  the  House 
of  Wepresentatives, 

(iordon  and  his  8i(uadron  were  hurried 
into  retreat,  probably  as  well  by  such  or- 
ders as  by  the  attacks  of  the  naval  oflicers 
and  Virginia  militia.   The  liritish  squadron 


letters  were  handed  by  some  British  officer  ascended  the  Potomac  twelve  days  without 
on  the  Patuxent  shore,  delivered  them  to  |  a  shot  fired  at  them.  But  beginning  their 
an  American  officer,  who  dispatched  the  I  descent  with  a  fleet  of  vessels,  htaded  with 
sealed  note  to  General  Mason,  and  the  open  |  sjioil,  on  the  2d  September,  they  were  con- 
note (to  Gordon)  to  the  acting  Secretary  of  tinually  harassed,  impeded,  aim  considera- 


War,  Monroe.  Some  hours  before  day,  on 
the  3 Ist  August,  General  Mason  recfeived 
tlie  sealed  packet  in  an  envelope  athlressed 
to  him,  which  he  forthwith  carried  to  Mr. 
Monroe,  who  that  day  afterwards  received 
the  open  note,  thus  sus])iciously  couched : 
"  Iphigenia,  2Hth  August,  1814.  'The  object 
of  the  expedition  being  ace.oniplished,  and 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Potomac,  being  alarmed  for  tludr 

Eroperty,  on  account  of  the  presence  of  the 
ritish  squadron  in  that  river,  the  coni- 
mandor-in-chief  has  directed  me  to  forward 
openly,  by  the  hands  of  one  of  the  inhabit- 
ants, thitt  order  for  the  ships  in  the  Poto- 
mac to  retire  and  re-join  his  flag.  Edward 
Codringtou,  rear-admiral  and  captain  of  the 
fleet." 

That  such  a  communication,  instead  of 
being  sent  by  water,  which  the  enemy  com- 
manded, should  be  sent  furtively  by  land, 
where  they  had  hardly  a  foothoh^,  express- 
ive of  concern  for  the  fears  of  inhabitants 
which  the  same  enemy  had  been,  during 
two  years,  harassing  by  uninterrupted 
brigandage;  and  when  tlicy  were  at  the 
very  moment  strijiping  Alexandria  of  all 
the  property  Gordon  could  Iry  hands  on, 
caused  Mr.  Nionroe  to  suspect  some  occult 
desif^n  in  Codrington's  note,  which  Genera! 
Mas(m  was,  therefore,  directed  to  make 
known  to  the  inhabitants  of  Alexandria  in 
such  a  way  as  to  conceal  ft-om  the  eneiny 
any  knowledge  that  our  government  had 
possession  of  it.  General  Mason  accord- 
ingly gave  it  for  that  purpose  to  a  gentle- 
man of  Alexandria,  who  deposited  it  at  the 
post-office,  removed  some  miles  out  of  Alex- 
andria, with  a  direction  which,  to  the  irri 


bly  injured  every  day  of  the  five  it  took 
th(^m  to  elfect  their  return  by  the  9th  to  tho 
British  fleet,  ("annon  on  the  bluff,  and 
hills,  fire  vessels  on  the  waters,  barges 
manned  by  sailors  and  Virginia  militia, 
who  gallantly  braved  the  British  bombard- 
ment, indefatigably,  by  day  and  night,  at- 
tacked the  enemy,  doing  all  that  men  could 
do  to  jtrevent  their  escape.  Twelve  men  were 
killed  and  several  wounded  at  one  of  Porter's 
imperfi'ct  batteries,  one  wounded  at  Perry's, 
nine  at  llodgers',  who,  in  barges  and  with 
fire  vessels,  attempted  to  reach  the  British, 
(iordon,  nevertheless  succeeded,  by  ccnira- 
gcous  and  skilful  seamanship,  to  conduct 
(ill  )\\»  booty  in  safety  to  the  fleet,  which 
'  '.'ached  on  the  9tli  of  September  with 
m«  r.;  wealth,  though  less  renown,  than 
the  oaptiirs  of  Washington;  whose  igno- 
miny as  incendiaries  eclipsed  their  glory, 
as  disappointment  of  plunder  mortified  its 
rabid  thirst. 

The  other  collateral  accompaniment  of 
the  Cossack  incursion  to  Washington  was 
the  only  occurrence  of  British  disaster.  On 
the  2()th  of  August,  the  Menelaus  frigate. 
Captain  Sir  Peter  Parker,  sailing  up  the 
Chesapeake,  hove  in  sight  of  Rockhall,  and 
from  that  vessel  executed  a  series  of  preda- 
tory descents  extremely  vexatious  and  un- 
warrantable. On  Sunday,  the  28th,  a  de- 
tachment landed  and  burned  the  dwelling, 
barn,  outhouses,  wheatstacks,  and  grana- 
ries of  Henry  Waller;  on  the  SOth,  Tues- 
day, repeated  the  same  devastations  on 
the  farm  of  Richard  Frisby,  where  every- 
thing was  totally  destroyed  by  marruders 
who  immediately  thereafter  ^ed  to  their 
ship.     Near  midnight  they  landed  again, 


■(.■;  ■■ 


n 


m 


■m 


tated  disufiection  of  the  inhabitants  there- 1  in  the  same  spirit  of  drunken  depredation, 


&'1 


204 


REMOVAL  OF  ARCHIVES. 


[1814. 


^.Jfjii- 


hoatlcd  hy  tho  baronet  commanding,  who 
comjiollo<l  ono  of  Mr.  FriHby'H  slaves  ho 
had  stolen  to  conduct  the  enemy,  2.^0  men, 
to  tho  encampment  of  Cohtnol  I'hilip  Reed, 
who,  with  170  militia  of  tiie  2l8t  Maryland 
regiment,  awaro  of  tho  attack,  repulsed  it 
with  triflinf)!  loss  on  his  part,  killing;  Parker, 
and  killing  or  wounding  forty  of  his  tifficors 
ami  men.  Tha  boilios  Of  Captain  Parker, 
son  and  grandson  of  British  admirals,  and 
General  Ross,  killed  a  few  days  afterwards 
near  IJaltimoro,  were  conveyed  in  tho  a<l- 
miral's  ship  thoTonnant,  to  Halifax,  where 
Ross  was  uuried,  and  whence  Parker  was 
sent  to  Europe  for  intormont,  both  elevated 
British  officers,  slain  in  violations  of  tho 
laws  of  war  and  principles  of  civilizatitm — 
Parker  nut  to  death  in  the  fact  of  burglary. 
Ross  killed  soon  after  one  of  its  perpetra- 
tions, and  attempting  another. 

The  English  narrator,  from  whoso  pages 
I  have  so  copiously  borrowed,  and  who, 
from  being  chosen  to  prepare  the  Mar- 
quis of  Londonderry's  work  for  the  press, 
should  bo  a  person  of  credit,  did  not 
leave  America  without  ono  of  the  com- 
mon English  calumnies  concerning  the 
"low  cunning  which,"  ho  says,  "forms  so 
leading  a  trait  in  tho  American  character  as 
to  have  become  proverbial,  and  that  the  de- 
sire to  overreach  and  deceive  is  so  universal 
among  tho  people  of  that  nation,  is  no  less 
notorious."  Having  had  no  American  ex- 
perience but  during  tho  few  days  of  his  en- 
terprises against  Washington  and  Now 
Orleans,  the  notoriety  he  mentions  must 
bo  English,  like  the  proverb.  "  The  Ameri- 
cans," ho  adds,  are  "  as  brave  as  any  peo- 
ple in  the  world ;"  of  their  humanity 
to  tho  captured  and  wounded  ho  speaks 
with  strong  eulogy;  and  the  only  Ameri- 
can officer  who  at  Bhidensburg  fell  into 
British  hands,  ho  characttn-izes  as  one  "  of 
much  gallantry  and  high  sense  of  honor." 
The  vulgar  malevolence  of  his  aspersions 
must  therefore  bo  altogether  gratuitous. 
Ruthless  marauders  might  have  supposed 
that  cunning  and  cruelty  would  have  been 
returned  for  their  barbarous  ravages,  vio- 
lating, as  he  confessed,  "  every  rule  of 
modern  civilized  warfare."  We  may  ask, 
what  should  have  been  the  conduct  of 
the  injured  party  to  such  invaders  when 
thrown  on  their  charity,  after  having,  by 
iire  and  sword,  laid  waste  their  country? 
Should  they  imitate  tho  English  example 
to  the  Danes,  and  massacre  all  thoir  Eng- 
lish invaders?  Thank  God,  the  annals  of 
American  hostilities  are  unstained  by 
cruelty.  And  no  American  shouhl  hesi- 
tate to  stigmatize  English  malevolence, 
which,  acknowledging  the  kindness  and 
humanity  shown  to  wounded,  captured,  and 
aban<loned  plunderers,  cannot  omit  tho 
parting  taunt,  that  "in  their  apprehensions 
(the  English  prisoners)  of  evil  treatment 
(torn  tho   Americans,    tho    event  proved 


that  they  had  done  injustice  to  that  people, 
who  were  found  to  possess  at  least  one 
generous  trait  in  their  character,  namely, 
tliat  of  behaving  kindly  and  attentively  to 
their  prlsonerH." 

Tho  day  before  the  fall  of  Washington,  a 
day  of  extreme  alarm,  on  the  23d  of  August, 
I8l4,  tho  Secretary  of  State  wrote  to  tho 
President:  "Tho  enemy  are  advanced  six 
miles  on  tho  road  to  tho  woodyard,  and  our 
troops  retreating;  our  troops  on  tho  march 
to  meet  ttiem,  but  in  too  small  a  body  to 
engage.  General  Winder  proposes  to  retire 
till  he  can  cidlact  them  in  a  body.  Tho 
enemy  aro  in  full  march  for  Washington, 
and  have  the  materials  prepared  to  destroy 
tho  bridge. — Tuesday,  nine  o'clock.  You 
had  bettor  remove  the  records."  Before 
that  note  was  received,  Mr.  John  Gra- 
ham, Chief  Clerk  in  the  Department  of 
State,  and  another  clerk,  Mr.  Stephen  Plea- 
santon,  now  fifth  Auditor  of  the  Treasury, 
boHtirred  themselves  providentially  to  save 
the  precious  public  records  of  that  depart- 
ment, many  of  which  have  been  since  de- 
posited, and  aro  now  kept  in,  tho  build- 
ing of  tho  Patent  Office,  a  more  con- 
venient and  safe  place  than  the  State 
Department.  The  clerk  then  in  personal 
charge  of  most  of  those  archives,  was 
Josiah  King,  who  accompanied  tho  go- 
vernment from  Philadelpnia  to  Wash- 
ington, and  whoso  son  succeeding  to  his 
clerkship,  now  holds  it  in  that  department. 
By  the  exertions  of  those  clerks,  princi- 
pally Mr.  Pleasanton,  coarse  linen  bags 
were  purchased,  enough  to  contain  the 
papers.  Tho  original  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, tho  articles  of  confederation, 
the  federal  constitution,  many  treaties  and 
laws  an  enrolled.  General  Washington's 
commission  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  tho 
army  of  the  Revolution,  which  ho  relin- 
quished when  he  resigned  it  at  Annapolis, 
(found  among  the  rubbish  of  a  garret,)  to- 
gether with  many  other  papers,  the  loss  of 
which  would  have  deeply  blackened  our  dis- 
grace, and  deposited  in  the  Tower  at  London, 
as  much  illustrated  the  British  triumph — all 
were  carefully  secured  in  linen  bags,  hung 
round  the  room,  ready,  at  a  moment's  warn- 
ing, for  removal  to  some  place  of  safety. 
Wagons,  carts,  and  vehicles  of  all  sorts  were 
in  such  demand  for  the  army,  whoso  officers 
took  the  right  of  seizing  them  whenever 
necessary,  to  carry  their  baggage,  provi- 
sions, and  other  conveniences,  that  it  was 
difficult  to  procure  one  in  which  to  load  the 
documents.  That  done,  however,  Mr. 
Pleasanton  took  them  to  a  mill  over  tho 
Potomac,  about  three  miles  beyond  George- 
town, where  th<?y  were  concealed.  But,  as 
General  Mason's  cannon  foundry  was  not 
far  from  the  mill,  though  on  the  Maryland 
side  of  tho  river,  a})prehcnsion  arose  that 
the  cannon  foundry,  which  the  enemy 
would  of  course  seek  to  dcsti'oy,  might 


Chap.  VIII-l 


MRS.  MADISON. 


205 


hring  thoni  too  npftr  the  mill,  and  endanj^or 
its  (lopoMits.  Thoy  were,  therefore,  reiimv- 
ed  as  nvr  as  Lconbur^,  a  Hinall  town  in  Vir- 
ginia, thirty-five  mileH  from  AVaHhington, 
whither  Mr.  Pleasanton,  on  hornebaek,  ae- 
enninanicd  tiio  wa^on  during;  the  battle  of 
Ulauensburj?.  From  LeoNburg,  where  ho 
s\ti\)t  that  night,  the  burning  city  was  diH- 
cernible,  in  whoHO  blaze  tlio  fate  of  IiIh 
charge,  if  left  there,  was  told  on  the  hori- 
zon. Official  letters  from  Mr.  Monroe,  Se- 
cn^tary  of  War,  and  Mr.  Jones,  Secretary 
of  tiio  Navy,  to  Col.  Johnson,  Chairman 
of  the  Comuuttee  of  Investigation,  stated, 
that  they  each  directed  their  clerks,  some 
days  before  the  capture  of  Washington, 
to  secure  the  papers  of  the  State  and 
the  Navy  Departments.  Mr.  Pleasanton 
took  them  in  several  carts  to  the  mill, 
where  the  carts  wore  discharged ;  ho 
slept  at  the  Kev.  Mr.  Maffitt's,  two  miles 
from  the  mill,  and  next  morning  got 
country  wagons  in  which  ho  on  horse- 
back attended  the  papers  to  Lcesburg, 
wiiero  they  were  put  in  a  vacant  stone 
house  prepared  for  him  by  the  Kev.  Mr. 
Littlcjohn. — That  fearful  night  was  fol- 
lowed by  next  day's  tornado,  which  at 
Lecsburg,  as  at  Washington,  uprooted  trees, 
unroofed  tenements,  and  every  where  arounil 
8U{icradded  tempestuous  to  belligerent  de- 
struction and  alarm. 

Many  of  the  records  of  the  War,  Trea- 
sury and  Navy  Departments  were  destroy- 
ed; some  were  saved,  less  by  any  care 
than  by  the  tempest  which  arrested  hos- 
tile destruction  before  its  completion,  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  capital.  After 
their  departure  several  of  tlio  written 
books  of  the  departments  were  found  in 
the  mud,  soaked  with  water  from  the  rain 
which  80  opportunely  fell,  which,  by  drying 
them  in  the  sun  and  rebinding  them,  were 
recovered.  Great  numbers  of  books  and 
papers,  however,  were  irrecoverably  lost, 
which  caused  some  confusion  in  public  ac- 
counts. A  j^^nsul,  who  had  settled  his  and 
received  full  payment,  believing  that  his 
receipt  and  other  proof  of  payment  were 
lost,  presented  his  demands  anew,  but 
was  confounded  bv  sufficient  evidence  of 
his  attempted  fraud.  An  American  foreign 
minister  against  whom  before  the  war  a 
email  balance  was  reported,  paid,  though 
he  denied  its  justice.  The  proof's  of  its 
payment  being  lost,  it  was  debited  to  him 
again  after  the  war,  in  the  inflexible  routine 
of  iiscal  accountability,  and  he  paid  the 
balance  a  second  time  rather  than  submit 
to  the  discredit  of  being  registered  and 
published  a  public  delinquent. 

The  condition  of  the  President's  house 


Vernon,  the  sent  of  Oenoral  Washington, 
eighteen  miles  from  the  federal  city. 


Dear  Sister, 


Tueailay,  Aug.  23(/,  1H14. 


My  husband  left  mo  vestorday  morning 
to  join  (Icnoral  Winder. — He  impiircd 
anxiously  whether  I  had  courage  orfirmiufMS 
to  remain  in  the  President's  house  until  his 
return  on  the  morrow,  or  succeeding  day ; 
and  on  my  assurance  that  I  had  no  fear  but 
for  hiin  and  the  success  of  our  army,  he  left 
me,  beseeching  me  to  take  care  of  myself, 
and  of  the  cai)in('t  papers,  public  and  nri- 
vate.  I  have  since  received  two  dispatciios 
from  him,  written  with  a  pencil ;  the  last  is 
alarming,  because  he  desires  I  should  be 
ready  at  a  moment's  warning  to  enter  my 
carnage  and  leave  the  city ;  that  the  enemy 
seemed  stronger  than  had  been  reported, 
and  that  it  might  hajipen  that  thoy  would 
reach  the  city,  with  intention  to  destroy  it. 

*  *  Mr  *  *  \  mj,  accordingly  ready ; 
I  have  pressed  as  many  cabinet  pajiers  into 
trunks  ns  to  fill  one  carriage;  our  private 
property,  oust  bo  sacriliced,  as  it  is  impos- 
sible to  procure  waj^ijns  for  its  transporta- 
tion. I  am  determined  not  to  go  myself 
until  I  see  Mr.  Madison  safe,  and  he  can 
accomnanv  me — as  I  hear  of  much  hostility 
towards  him  *  *  *  disatfection  stalks 
around  us.  *  *  *  *  My  friends  and 
acquaintances  are  all  gone, — even  Colonel 

C with  his  hundred  men,  who  were 

stationed    as   a  guard    in   the  enclosure. 

*  *  French  John,  (a  faithful  domestic,) 
M'ith  his  usual  activity  and  resolution,  oflTers 
to  spike  the  cannon  at  the  gates,  and  to  lay 
a  train  of  powder  which  would  blow  up  the 
British,  should  they  enter  tlio  house.  To 
the  last  proposition  I  positively  object, 
without  being  able,  however,  to  make  him 
understand  why  all  advantages  in  war  may 
not  be  taken. 

Wednesdat/  viorning,  12  o'clorl: 
Since  sunrise  I  have  been  turning  my 
spyglass  in  every  direction,  and  watching 
with  unwearied  anxiety,  hoping  to  discern 
the  ariproach  of  my  dear  husband  and  his 
friends ;  but,  alas,  I  can  descry  only  groups 
of  military  wandering  in  all  directions  as 
if  there  was  a  lack  of  arms,  or  of  spirit  to 
fight  for  their  own  firesides ! 


3  o^clocl: 
:  Will  you  believe  it,  my  sister?  Wo 
have  had  a  battle  or  skirmish  near  Bla- 
I  densburg,  and  I  am  still  here  within  sound 
of  the  cannons!  Mr.  Madison  comes  not; 
I  may  God  protect  him !  Two  messengora 
'  covered  with  dust,  come  to  bid  mo  fly ;  but 
and  family  is  best  depicted  in  the  following  i  I  wait  for  him.  *  *  *  *  At  this  late 
letters  from  the  lady,  who  there,  with  a  j  hour  a  wagon  has  been  procured ;  I  have 
spirit  of  gentle  fortitude,  presided:  a  sort   had  it  tilled  with  the  plate  and  most  valua- 


of  hourly  diary  written  by  Mrs.  Madison  to 
her  sister  Mre.  Washington,  then  at  Mount 


If'. 

u 


r 


*t  T 


■^'!> 


.  I.; 
I,' 


bio  portable  articles  belonging  to  the  house ; 
whether  it  will  reach  its  destination,  the 


20rt 


WASIIINOTON'S  PORTRAIT. 

-4 


[1814. 


\*'il-r: 


k 


V 


s 


iil 


e^i 


Bink  of  Miiryliiml,  or  full  into  thn  hamlM 
ot  Uritwii  soljiury,  ovt'iit.i  imint  tli'tiTiniiK'. 

AuifustiWi,  IS  1 4. 
Our  kiiiil  frionil,  Mr.  Curroll,  Iiuh  coino 
to  hivstcMi  my  di-piirturi',  iiiul  i^^  in  iv  very 
lnnl  liiunor  with  nin  hi'ciiu.it'  I  insisti'd  on 
Wiiitinj;;  until  tho  liir;;('  picture  of  OiMicriil 
Wiisliinj^ton  it*  sccurcil,  iiml  it  rocjniros  to 
bo  iinscnnvfd  from  tho  wiill.  Tiiis  procowM 
was  found  too  todions  for  tlio.-^o  |((!rilous 
inonii'ntM;  I  hiivo  ordurod  tlio  fninm  to  Im 
brokon,  and  tlio  (Minvasn  tiikon  out;  it  U 
doni" — :ind  tlio  pnntioun  portrait  plaiM>d  in 
tho  handrt  of  two  gi'ntlomon  of  Now  Ym-k, 
for  safo  koopina.  And  now,  dear  sinter,  I 
nniat  loavc  this  houno,  or  tho  rotroatinj; 
arniy  will  niako  mo  a  prisonor  in  it,  by 
filling  up  tho  road  1  am  dirootod  to  tako. 
When  I  Hhall  again  writo  to  you,  or  whore 
I  slmll  bo  to-morrow,  I  cannot  toll! ! 

Part  of  Col.  Carborry'n  regiment  of  regu- 
lars was  quartered  not  far  from  the  IVesi- 
dent's  hou.se,  in  the  large  hall  of  whieh  wero 
stored niuuitionsof war.  Twoeannon. served 
by  four  artillerists,  wero  planted  before  tiie 
front  door.  Mrs.  Madison  gathered  the  most 
precious  cabinet  papei-s,  some  clothing  and 
other  important  artielijs,  pai-ked  in  a  car- 
riajjo,  and  made  ready  for  wliat  ahvavs  all 
anticipated — Might.  Dr.  151ak(>,  tiie  .>\i\yor 
of  Washington,  twice  ealled  to  warn  her  of 
the  peril  of  her  situation,  and  urge  her  de- 

Karturo.  Tiio  four  artillerists  tied,  le.iving 
or  alone  in  tho  house,  with  no  attencl- 
ants  but  servants;  tiie  most  intellig'nt 
and  reliable  of  whom  was  one  calbd 
French  John,  Mr.  John  Siousa,  a  native 
of  Paris,  who  camo  to  this  country  as  a 
seaman,  on  board  the  French  frigate  Di- 
don,  accompanied  by  the  Cybele,  another 
frigate,  in  1H04  ctiinniissioned  to  take  back 
Jerome  IJonaparte,  whoso  marriage  with  a 
beautiful  American  wife  j^avo  uml)rago  to 
his  ambitious  and  imperious,  and  soon  to 
be  imperial,  brother,  lalleyrand  addressed 
his  master,  tho  Kmnoror,  when  crowned, 
deploring  the  "  terrible  degradation  of  a 
whole  family  of  American  cousins;"  and 
then  Mr.  Siousa,  with  several  others  of  the 
French  ("rows  of  tho  two  frigates,  deserted 
from  an  imperial  navy  to  establish  himself 
in  this  country,  and  liecome  the  father  of 
sixteen  republican  ebildron.  Living  lirst  in 
tho  service  of  Mr.  Merry,  when  British  mi- 
nister to  tho  United  States,  and  afterwards  of 
Mr.  Erskine,  from  his  family  IMr.  Siousa  went 
to  that  of  Mr.  Madison,  as  his  porter,  and 
is  yet  living,  messenger  of  the  Metroptdis 
Bank  of  Washington.  Not  long  after  the 
Mayor's  second  call  on  Mrs.  Madison,  press- 
ing her  departure,  she  still  lingering  for 
tidings  of  her  husband,  his  faithful,  brave 
young  slave,  Jim,  returned  with  his  mas- 
ter's last  note,  in  pencil,  directing  her  to 
fly  at  OQce.    Tho  horses,  already  harnessed 


to  tho  carriages,  were  ordered  to  thi!  door, 
and,  with  her  feinalo  servants  in  one,  ami 
only  a  littl»  black  girl  in  her  own,  Mrs. 
Madison  drove  off. 

The  afternoon  before,  Mr.  fieorge  W.  I*. 
rustis,  of  Arlington,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Potomac,  opposite  to  Washington — 
grandson  of  Mrs.  Custis,  (leneral  Wash- 
ington's wife,  in  whose  family  he  wm 
brought  up — a  gentlfinan  fond  of  painting, 
and  of  all  memoiials  of  his  grandmother's 
husband,  particularly  every  variety  of 
portraits  ot  Washington  —  called  at  the 
President's  to  save  a  full-length  pic*'ire 
which  has  been  among  tho  few  ornaments 
of  the  presidential  mansion  during  its  ten 
incumbencies,  from  that  of  the  first  Adams, 
on  the  removal  of  tho  seat  of  government, 
in  ISOO,  to  the  District  of  (^dulnbia.  The 
picture,  in  1H14,  hung  on  the  west  wall  of 
the  large  dining-room,  instead  of  the  east 
wall  of  the  small  parlor,  where  it  is  now. 
The  President  promised  Mr.  Custis  that  it 
should  be  taken  care  of,  and  Mrs.  Madison 
dienied  it  her  duty  nut  to  h-ave  such  a  trophy 
for  the  captors.  It  is  one  of  Washington's 
likenesses,  by  Stuart,  stamped  with  his  su- 
periority as  a  i)ortrait-painter,  tho  head  ami 
face  strongly  resembling  the  original.  Neg- 
ligiMit  as  Smart  was  of  all  but  the  face  of  his 
pictures,  the  person  of  Washington  was  left 
fir  another  artist,  Winstanlev,  to  whom 
President  John  Adams's  son-in-law,  Wil- 
liam Smith,  stood  I'ur  the  body,  limbs,  jios- 
tiire  and  manner  of  this  parody;  so  that 
Washington's  tall,  gaunt  person,  his  shape, 
air  and  attitude  are  much  better  given  by 
Trumbull's  representation  of  him  in  the 
several  historical  pictures  which  fill  panels 
in  tho  rotunda  at  the  Capitol.  Mrs.  Madi- 
son, with  the  carving-knifo  in  her  hniul, 
stooil  by  while  French  John  and  others 
strove  to  detach  tho  picturo  uninjured 
fioiu  its  heavy  external  gilt  frame,  and 
preserve  it  whole  on  the  inner  woo<len 
work,  by  which  it  was  kept  distended  and 
screwed  to  the  wall.  Charles  Carroll,  of 
IJi'llevue,  a  gentleman  intimate  in  the  Pre- 
sident's family,  (Uitored  from  tho  alfair  of 
Dladi'iisburg,  while  the  French  porter,  John 
Siousa,  and  Irish  gardener,  Thomas  M'Gaw, 
were  laboring  witli  a  hatcliot  to  take  down 
the  y)icture,  and  remonstrated  against  Mrs. 
Madison  risking  capture  for  such  an  object, 
which,  Mr.  Carroll  urged,  ought  not  to  do- 
lay  her  departure.  Her  letter  to  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Washington,  states  that  the  picture 
was  secured  before  she  left  tho  house. 
Mr.  Siousa,  who  is  highly  worthy  of 
credit,  thinks  she  was  gone  before  it  was 
done,  as  her  letter  oxjiressos  the  accomplish- 
ment. The  Irish  gardener,  to  whoso  aid, 
in  the  midst  of  the  work,  Mr.  Jacob  Barker 
came  in,  according  to  Siousii's  recollection, 
while  he  was  gone  to  bring  an  axe,  got  tho 
picture  down  from  the  wall,  and  placed  it 
m  the  hands  of  Mr.  Barker;  with  whom, 


Chap.  VIII.l 


MRS.  MADISON'S  FLIOIIT. 

— ♦•- 


wt 


mcordinj^  to  Siousa's  ntntoniont,  tlioro  wim 
111!  other  ptTHiiii  I'.xcciit  a  Muck  iimii,  wlioiu 
Sidiisii  took  for  Mr.  I»urk<>r'M  Mcrviviit.  Ci\r- 
ricil  off,  uplH'liI  wlioli'  ill  tho  inner  woodt'ii 
fraiiiis  Im'JoihI  (loor^titown,  the  itictiir"  wi\m 
(ii'|iositi'il  \>y  Mr.  IJiirkeriii  iiiilintH  r  .■mfcty. 
Tint  preHiilontiiil  lioiiNoholil  ^oil,  the  iiiiiii;i> 
dl'  the  fiitlier  of  hiM  coiintrv — 'ly  whom  itn 
chief  eity  wim  fixi'd  near  hin  home,  iui<i  hy 
wiiose  iiiiiue  it  wiiH  eivlleil— wuh  thus  Hiiivteheil 
from  tlio  elutih  or  toivh  of  tlie  hiirhiiriim 
i';i|itors.  Such,  an  ner.r  us  it  cim  l)e  ascer- 
tiiineil,  is  tlie  truth  of  its  reseiK',  which  lias 
lioen  oniliroiled  in  newspaper  iiohMnicd  hy 
tieveral  cltiini  iiits  to  pivi-t  ol  tiio  honor. 

Mrs.  Ma.iison,  (Irivin)^  to  Georgetown, 
went  first  to  the  residence  of  the  Secretary 
(if  till)  Navv,  tiien  to  Helh'vuo,  and,  joined 
hy  tht!  families  of  Mr.  .[ones  and  Mr.  (Jar- 
Mil,  returned  to  tlie  town,  insisting  that  her 
terrified  eoaclinian  should  take  Uor  hack  to- 
wiii'ds  tlie  President's  house,  to  look  for  him; 
whom  she  unexpectedly  foiitnl  near  tint 
lower  brid;^!',  attended  liy  Mr.  Monroe  and 
Jlr.  Hush,  who  all  reached  the  President's 
house  soon  after  she  left  it,  and  sto[>ped 
there  a  few  minutes  for  refreshments.  Col. 
Laval,  with  some  of  his  dvagooiis,  the  regu- 
lars, and  a  company  or  two  of  the  volun- 
tii'rs,  also  stopjied  there,  thirsting  for  drink, 
which  was  furnished  in  hui-kets  of  water 
and  bottles  of  wine,  set  before  the  door 
for  a  hurried  draught:  during  which  short 
st:iy  many  things  were  taken  out  of  the 
house  by  individuals;  most  of  them,  ])ro- 
lialily,  to  be  secured  and  restored,  as  sonu; 
were,  but  not  all;  for  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury's  fine  duelling  pistols,  which 
tho  Presiih'iit  took  from  his  holsters  and 
laid  on  a  table,  wen;  carried  off,  and  never 
recovered.  As  soon  as  tho  executive  and 
military  fugitives  di>iapj>eared,  Siousa,  soli- 
tary and  al(Uio  in  the  (loiiso,  who  had  be- 
fore sei'iired  tho  gold  and  silver  mounted 
carbines  and  pistols  of  the  Algerine  minis- 
ter, which  are  now  in  the  patent  (jUice,  car- 
ried the  parrot  to  Col.  Tayloe's  residence, 
and  left  it  there,  in  charge  of  the  French 
minister's  cook:  and  then,  returning,  shut 
all  tho  doors  and  windows  of  the  Presi- 
dent's house,  and,  taking  away  tho  key 
with  him,  went,  for  stHurity,  to  tho  resi- 
dence of  Daschkoff,  tho  Kussian  minister, 
then  at  Philadolphia.  The  Uritish  broke 
open  tho  house  and  burned  it,  as  before 
stated,  without  discovering,  as  is  believed, 
anything  they  deemed  worth  preserving. 
If  they  found  a  feast  there,  as  one  of  them 
relates,  like  harfn-'s  food,  it  was  consumed 
in  tho  orgies  of  their  filthy  debauch. 

While  the  ladies  of  Mr.  JvUies  and  Mr. 
Carroll's  familios  lingered  in  (Je()rgetown 
for  Mrs.  Madison,  she  accompanied  her 
husband  to  tho  bank  of  tho  Potomac,  whore 
one  small  boat  was  kepi  ready,  of  tho  many 
others  all  sunk  or  removed  but  that  one,  to 
transport  the  President,  Mr.  Monroe,  Mr. 


Hush,  Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Carroll  to  tho 
Virginia  shore.  The  boat  was  too  small  to 
carry  all  at  once,  so  that  several  trips  wero 
necessary,  as  the  shades  of  night  set  in  upoa 
them,  like  departing  spirits  leaving  tho 
world  btdiind,  to  be  ferried  over  an  inevi- 
table Styx.  President,  Secretary,  Attor- 
ney and  Commissary  (Jeiieral  seemed  con- 
demned to  an  immortality  of  at  least  ccm- 
tempt  and  malediction  in  the  world.  About 
that  time  it  must  have  been,  if  over,  uh  Mrs. 
Madison  is  clear  in  her  reccdlection  was  tho 
case  at  some  timi',  that  Cockburn's  proff(>r 
reached  them  of  an  escort  for  her  to  ii  phico 
of  safety;  for  it  was  impossible  till  night- 
fall, till  when  ho  did  not  enter  tho  city: 
imperfect  romembraneo  of  whii  h  eviMit  may 
give  color  to  General  Armstrong's  impres- 
sion, derived  from  J)r.  Thornton,  that  Koss 
and  Cockburn  tendered  tho  Presidt-nt  a  pro- 
p(tsal  for  a  ransom  of  tho  public  buildings; 
two  distinct  proposals,  ii  any  such  wero 
made,  of  whiidi  tne  escort  for*  her  was  de- 
(dined,  and  tho  ransom  uf  tho  (ity  repulsed 
with  disdain. 

Mrs,  Madison,  after  seeing  her  husband 
o\er  tho  river,  Urovi!  back,  attended  by  .Jidin 
Graham  and  nine  volunteer  cavalry,  to  her 
female  comiianions,  the  families'  of  Mr. 
•Jones  and  .^Ir.  Carroll,  in  Georgetown.  Tho 
President's  orders  were  to  pass  the  night 
wherever  she  could  iind  a  convenient,  safo 
place,  in  \'irginia,  and  join  him  next  day  at 
a  tavern  sixteen  miles  from  Georgetown, 
whitdi  was  the  appointed  place  of  meeting. 
Moving  slowly  onward,  the  road  encum- 
bered with  baggage  wagons  and  other  hin- 
drances, their  jirogress  was  so  tedious  that 
the  lailics  sometimes  h'ft.  their  carriages,  and 
walked,  as  the  least  irksome  and  dangerous 
modoof  proceeding,  in  the  midst  of  tumult, 
till  they  reached  after  nightfall  the  residence 
id'  Mr.  l<ove,  two  miles  and  n-half  beyond 
Gc'orgetown,  iiii  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Po- 
tomac, where  they  begg'-d  a  night's  rest. 
Mr.  Love  was  abroad  with  tlie  trcjoiis,  but 
soon  return"*!.  His  lady,  indisposiMl,  made 
tho  best  arrangements  practicable  for  so 
large  an  irruption  of  unexjiectod  inmates, 
for  whom  sofas  and  other  siil)stitutes  for 
beds  wero  arranged  as  well  as  could  bo; 
and  they  passed  a  frightful,  miserable 
night,  all  disconsolate,  several  in  tears,  Mrs. 
.Madison  sitting  at  an  open  wimlow  gaz- 
ing on  the  lurid  flames  and  listening  to  tho 
hoarse  murmurs  of  tho  smouldering  city, 
wliih>  several  hundred  disorderly  militia 
around  the  house  aggravated  tho  din  and 
bogrimed  the  gloomy  scene.  Before  day- 
liglit  tho  next  morning,  tho  caravan  of  af- 
frighted ladies,  in  sad  procession,  took  their 
departure  under  Mrs.  Madison's  load,  for 
the  rendezvous  appointed  with  the  Presi- 
dent. Consternation  was  at  its  uttermost; 
tho  whole  ri'giou  tilled  with  i)auic-stnick 
people,  torritiud  scouts  roaming  aljout  and 
spreading  alarm  that  the  enemy  were  com- 


t 


^- 


:•.''' 


M 


: 

1- 

.:;'-ii 

r 

■  ill. 

:L:i| 

V 


m 


FLIGHT  AND  PANIC. 


[1814. 


I?.-    . 
I''  ■   ''■ 


ill 


ing  from  Washington  and  Alexandria,  and 
that  there  was  safety  nowhere.  Among  the 
terrific  rumors,  one  predominated  that  Cocli- 
rane's  prochimation  was  executed  by  Cock- 
hurn,  inducing  the  slaves  to  revolt,  and  that 
thousands  of  infuriated  negroes,  drunk  witli 
liquor  and  mad  with  emancipation,  were 
committing  excesses  worse  than  those  at 
Hampton  the  year  before,  subjecting  the 
whole  country  to  their  horrid  outrages. 
Aboutnoon  the  air  was  charged  with  the  two- 
fold electricity  of  panic  and  of  a  storm,  as  the 
ladies  pursued  their  weary  and  disconsolate 
retreat.  Gen.  Young,  commanding  a  brigade 
of  Virginia  militia,  in  his  oflScial  report  to 
the  investigating  committee  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  says  that  they  were  de- 
layed on  their  march  to  join  General  Win- 
der, "  by  an  alarm  of  a  domestic  nature,  which 
he  was  so  credulous  as  to  believe,  from  the 
respectability  of  the  country  people,  who 
came  to  him  for  protection ;  he  halted  his 
brigade  and  sent  out  light  troops  and  one 
troop  of  cavalry  to  ascertain  the  fact,  which 
finally  proved  erroneous."  The  terror  of 
Cockburu's  formidable  enormities  was  more 
conquering  than  arms.  Gen.  Young  next 
day  actually  stopped  Mrs.  Madison,  insist- 
ing that  she  must  not  be  suflfered  to  go  with- 
out an  escort. 

About  the  hour  when  Cockburn's  complete 
destruction  was  realizing  at  AVashington  on 
the  rope-walks,  printing  offices,  and  Patent 
Office,  Mrs.  Madison,  with  her  female  party, 
reached  the  tavern  sixteen  miles  from  the 
city,  appointed  for  her  meeting  with  the  Pre- 
sident. The  horizon  was  overcast,  the  hea- 
vens portentously  black,  thunder  muttered, 
forked  lightning  flashed,  hurricane  blasts 
announced  the  tornado  which  soon  broke 
forth  with  tropical  fury,  desolating  many 
miles  round.  The  tavern  in  which  Mrs. 
Madison  was  seeking  shelter,  and  her  va- 
grant husband,  was  tilled  with  ladies,  also 
fugitives  from  dreaded  hostilities,  who  in- 
sisted that  the  wife  of  him  who  caused  them, 
by  his  abominable  war,  should  not  be  re- 
ceived under  the  same  roof  with  its  innocent 
victims ;  the  wife  of  a  President  who  had 
brought  such  calamities  on  the  country 
had  no  claim  to  admission  under  the 
same  roof  with  ladies  driven  from  their 
own,  but  deserved  to  be  expelled  from  all 
doors.  Ladies  who  had  partaken,  at  Mrs. 
Madison's  drawing-room,  the  welcome  of 
the  President's  mansion,  and  who  lived  to 
become  sensible  of  their  error,  prejudiced 
by  party,  embittered  by  hostilities,  and 
maddened  by  expulsion  from  their  homos, 
to  seek  shelter  in  a  country  inn,  com- 
bined to  refuse  her  admission  there.  The 
tavern-keeper  and  his  wife  were  of  op- 
posite politics  ;  he  for  the  war,  and  she  ve- 
nement  against  it  and  its  abominable  au- 
thor. While  this  storm  of  passion  raged 
with  the  tornado  beginning  its  desolations, 
the  men  of  Mrs.  Madison's  escort  were 


obliged  to  overcome  the  ungracious  and 
unladylike  resistance  to  her  shelter  in  an 
inn,  which  stood  in  the  midst  of  an  apple 
orchard,  heavily  laden  with  ripe  fruit,  torn 
by  the  tempest  from  the  trees,  and  dashed 
with  noisy  force  against  the  windows  and 
doors  of  the  house.  At  length  admitted 
only  just  in  time  to  escape  the  hail  of  ap- 
ples, tongues  and  tempest,  the  ladies  were 
allowed  the  comfort  of  a  plain  meal,  of 
which  Mrs.  Madison  saved  enough  for  the 
Presidentwhenever  he  might  arrive.  Obliged 
to  seek  shelter  from  the  rain,  he  was  delayed, 
and  did  not  join  her  till  the  evening,  when, 
witli  Mr.  Monroe,  General  Mason,  Mr.  Car- 
roll and  Mr.  Rush,  he  reached  the  tavern, 
drenched  with  wet,  famished  and  exhausted. 
After  devouring  the  cold  victuals  put  aside 
for  them,  the  gentlemen  went  to  rest,  of 
which  they  had  enjoyed  but  little  since  they 
;.rossed  the  Potomac  the  evening  before. 
That  uneasy  and  humiliating  repose,  not  the 
last  of  Madison's  degradations,  was,  how- 
ever, the  turning-point  of  his  fortunes ;  for 
while  he  slept,  lloss  hastily  and  clandes- 
tinely evacuated  Washington ;  victors  and 
vanquished  alike  victims  of  and  fugitives 
from  imagined  perils.  The  deluge  of  the 
depopulated  seat-  of  government  drove  its 
conquerors  away  when  there  was  as  little 
danger  in  their  remaining  at  Washington 
as  there  was  in  the  President  and  his  suite 
safely  resting  in  Georgetown.  But  terror 
was  the  order  of  the  day  and  incubus  of 
the  night  of  both  Americans  and  Britons, 
without  the  slightest  cause  for  either.  At 
midnight  the  President  and  his  party  were 
roused  from  their  disturbed  slumber  by  a 
report  that  the  British  were  coming !  Koss 
was  then  beyond  Bladensburg  on  his  re- 
treat. Gordon  did  not  reach  Alexandria 
till  three  days  afterwards.  While  an  arm- 
ed Englishman  wa«  not  within  twenty 
miles,  the  propagandism  of  dread  that  tliey 
were  everywhere,  determined  to  capture 
Madison,  drove  him  fiOm  his  hiding-place 
in  the  inn,  to  pass  the  rest  of  that  moist 
and  wretched  nifjht  in  a  hovel  in  the  woods, 
while  the  British  were  toiling  along  the 
way  to  their  shipping. 

Before  he  left  Mrs.  Madison,  she  was 
told  to  disguise  herself,  use  another  car- 
riage than  her  own,  leave  all  her  female 
companions,  and  fly  further.  Iler  nine 
troopers  that  night  were  reduced  to  one 
by  tlie  fatigues  of  escort  and  the  cheer 
of  the  tavern.  Leaving  her  own  carriage 
and  four  horses,  having  put  on  other  fe- 
male attire  than  her  own,  and  got  the  car- 
riage of  Mr.  Parrott,  of  Georgetown,  with 
no  attendant  but  Mr.  Duvall,  nephew  of  the 
judge,  the  single  individual  to  whom  her 
slender  body-guard  dwindled,  at  the  dawn 
of  day  she  set  ofl^  almost  alone.  Soon  after- 
wards tidings  reached  her  and  Mr.  Madison, 
who  did  not  meet  again  till  their  return  to 
Washington,  that  it  was  evacuated  by  the 


Chap.  VIII.] 


MADISON'S  RETURN. 


209 


gracious  and 
shelter  in  iin 
t  of  an  apple 
pe  fruit,  torn 
I,  and  dashed 
windows  and 
gth  admitted 
le  hail  of  ap- 
e  ladies  were 
lain  meal,  of 
nough  for  the 
Trive.  Obliged 
e  was  delayed, 
vening,  when, 
ason,  Mr.  Car- 
id  the  tavern, 
nd  exhausted, 
uals  put  aside 
nt  to  rest,  of 
ttle  since  they 
rening  before, 
repose,  not  the 
)n8,  was,  how- 
fortunes  ;  for 
'  and  claudes- 
i ;  victors  and 
and  fugitives 
deluge  of  tlie 
nont  drove  its 
e  was  as  little 
at  Washington 
t  and  his  suite 
n.     But  terror 
nd  incubus  of 
s  and  Britons, 
for  cither.     At 
his  party  were 
I  slumber  by  a 
coming!     Koss 
urg  on  his  ro- 
ich  Alexandria 
While  an  arm- 
within    twenty 
Iread  that  they 
ed   to  capture 
is  hiding-place 
of  that  moist 
el  in  the  woods, 
ling  along  the 

lison,  she  was 
c  another  car- 
all  her  female 
er.  Her  nine 
9duced  to  one 
vnd  the  cheer 
r  own  carriage 
t  on  other  fc- 
fid  got  the  car- 
)rgetown,  witli 
nephew  of  the 
to  whom  her 
1,  at  the  dawn 
e.  Soon  after- 
1  Mr.  Madison, 
their  return  to 
icuatcd  by  the 


British,  £oon  followed  by  assurances  that 
there  was  no  danger  in  going  there.  Still 
precautions  were  deemed  necessary.  At  tlie 
Long  Bridge,  burned  at  both  ends.  Colonel 
Fenwick,  wlio  commanded  there,  busy  trans- 
porting munitions  of  war  over  the  Potomac 
ir  the  only  boat  loft  at  his  disposal,  per- 
emptorily refused  to  let  any  unknown  wo- 
man in  the  boat  cross  with  her  carriage. 
At  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Queenstown, 
Colonel  Fenwick,  in  a  boat  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  fire  from  a  bluff,  lost  an  eye,  the 
use  of  a  hand,  and  his  whole  l)otly  was 
drilled  with  musket  balls.  Positively  re- 
fused a  passage,  Mrs.  Madison  was  obliged 
to  send  for  and  request  him  to  come  to  her 
carriage,  where  she  confidentially  made 
herself  known,  and  was  then  driven  in  her 
carriage  into  the  frail  boat,  which  bore  her 
homewards,  ller  ])erson  disguised,  ip  a 
strange  (iarriage,  she  found  Washington  a 
heap  t)f  deserted  ruins,  and  stopped  at  her 
sister's,  Mrs.  Cutts'  houso,  whoso  husband 
was  then  one  of  the  New  Hampshire  sena- 
tors ;  tlie  same  house  occupied  and  owned  by 
Mr.  Adams,  for  many  yoiws,  wliile  Secre- 
tary of  State,  and  till  the  time  of  bis  death ; 
where  Mr.  Madison  resided  for  a  few  weeks 
after  his  return  till  he  engag(>d  the  man- 
sion of  Colonel  Tayloe,  called  the  Octagon, 
in  which  the  President's  family  passed  the 
winter,  and  where  he  signed  the  treaty  of 
peace. 

Emerging  from  his  last  hiding-place  in 
the  hovel,  and  soon  informed  of  the  enemy's 
precipitate  departure,  the  President  likewise 
turned  his  steps  towards  deserted  Washing- 
ton, where  his  presence  was  the  signal  of 
universil  recuperation — his  own,  the  capi- 
tal, and  the  country — ri.sen  like  Antens 
from  his  fall.  Such  are  war's  vicissitudes 
and  compensations.  At  (Georgetown,  at 
the  tavern,  in  the  apple  orchard,  and  at  the 
hovel  in  the  woods,  the  commander-in-chief 
of  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  the  militia  of  the  several  states,  when 
called  into  actual  service,  forces  then  afoot 
exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
men,  drank  the  bitter  lees  of  public  disgrace, 
and  suffered  many  of  tlio  pains  and  jtenal- 
ties  inflicted  on  power  degraded:  encom- 
passeil  by  crowds  of  his  countrymen.  Hying 
from  their  desolated  dwellings,  many  of 
them  in  arms,  crying  aloud  for  his  down- 
fall, begrudging  even  his  wife  the  sanc- 
tuary of  a  common  inn ;  both  tiic  rt^viied 
and  revilers  pursued  by  resistless  foes, 
bent  on  the  indiscriininatit  destruction  of" 
all  alike.  The  night  following  came  some 
comiiensation  for  such  juinibiiment — tiie 
last  night  of  Madison's  e\lle,  ami  eve  of 
his  restoration  to  almost  universal  favor. 
It  was  spent  in  the  family  of  Quaker  hosts, 
strangers  to  him,  and  conscientious  adver- 
saries of  all  Avar,  who,  with  primitive  hos- 
pitality, welcomed  friend  Madison,  enter- 
taining him  and  his  outcast  comrades   in  |  contriving  to  promote  Monroe's  election  as 


misfortune  with  the  kindest  and  most  touch- 
ing attentions,  llefreshed  by  sweet  repose 
under  the  Quaker  roof,  they  returned  next 
day  to  AVashington  ;  and  on  the  way  were 
joined  by  General  Armstrong.  After  his 
suggestion  to  fortify  and  defend  the  Capitol 
was,  with  his  own  acquiescence,  overruled 
by  General  Winder  and  (-olonel  Monroe, 
the  Secretary  of  War  rode  to  his  lodgings 
in  the  city,  provided  himself  with  a  change 
of  clothes  and  one  of  Scott's  novels,  with 
which  he  withdrew  to  a  farm-house  in  Ma- 
ryland, where  he  was  found  next  morning, 
quietly  enjoying  his  romance.  Coldly  ac- 
costed by  every  one  of  the  President's  party, 
except  Mr.  Madison,  whose  liehavior  was 
as  usual,  the  war  secretary  felt  the  first 
symptoms  of  that  nearly  universal  aversion 
which  marked  his  return  to  AVashington, 
and  protested  against  his  continuance  in  the 
war  department.  Never  well  liked  by  Ma- 
dison, who  yielded  to  the  political,  local, 
and  critical  inducements  which  took  (ien. 
Armstrong,  from  conimanding  the  garrison 
and  important  station  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  into  the  cabinet,  his  contempt  for  all 
but  regular  troops,  and  for  party,  if  not 
popularity,  his  military  and  aristocratic 
ileniocracy,  supine  ami  sarcastic  deport- 
ment and  conversation,  habitual  disparage- 
ment of  tlio  wilderness  capital,  the  negli- 
gence imputed  to  him  of  its  defences,  and 
his  opinion,  frequently  expressed,  that  itwas 
too  insignificant  to  be  in  danger,  fomenting 
the  desire  men  have  of  a  sacrifice,  filled 
AVashington  with  his  enemies,  then  fevered 
to  animosity  by  its  destruction,  and  festered 
to  rancorous  hate.  Men  require  victims, 
and  it  was  natural  to  make  them  of  Arm- 
strong and  AVinder,  as  alone  guilty  of  what 
all  the  re:jt  were  to  blame  for,  and,  in  fact, 
infirmities  of  republican  institutions.  The 
fall  of  AVashington  endangered  the  removal 
of  the  seat  of^  government  from  a  place 
which  both  cast  and  west  began  to  dis- 
parage. Leading  men  there,  Charles  Car- 
roll, of  Bellevue,  whoso  hospitable  villa 
stood  on  the  pictures()ue  heights  of  George- 
town ;  John  Mason,  with  his  elegant  resi- 
dence on  Analostan  island,  on  th<!  Potomac, 
at  their  feet ;  John  A^in  Ness,  a  large  land- 
lord in  the  heart  of  the  city,  with  many  more 
whose  property  was  threatened  with  sudden 
and  ruinous  disprcciation,  intimates  and 
supporters  of  Madison,  to  personal,  partv, 
and  patriotic  attachments,  joined  soliidtude 
for  their  homesteads,  instinctive  and  irre- 
pressible beyond  all  reason.  ^I'lie  district 
militia  swore  that  they  would  break  their 
swords  rather  tlian  wield  tlicin,  directed  by 
such  a  Secretary  of  AVar;  and  Gciirgctown 
sent  a  deputation  to  the  President  to  tell 
him  so,  consisting  of  three  remonstrants, 
one  of  whom  was  Hanson,  edit(.r  of  the 
newspaper  most  a])usive  of  his  admi- 
nistratiim ;    and  another,   McKenny,  then 


'■ft- 


■  ■■■>■  ^ 


•<^J      v'li 


M: 


w^ 


tii   ; 


m 


210 


ARMSTRONG'S  RESIGXATIOX. 


[1814. 


lev 


Madison's  successor.  Refusing  to  receive 
such  envoys,  too  wise  anil  just  to  give  way 
to  local  clamor,  but  too  mild  and  forbearing 
to  spurn  or  rebuke  it,  the  President  com- 
promised with  what  Armstrong  stigmatized 
as  a  village  mob,  by  advising  him  to  with- 
draw temporarily  from  its  vengeance,  if  he 
did  not  even  intimate  a  wish  that  the  Se- 
cretary of  War  would  relinquish  his  official 
superintendence  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
promising  shortly  to  restore  him  to  all  his 
faculties.  General  Armstrong  could  not 
remain,  under  such  disadvantages,  a  mem- 
ber of  his  administration.  I'he  averted 
countenances  of  all  the  President's  asso- 
ciates, when  first  met  after  the  defeat,  all 
cold,  and  one  of  them,  Mr.  Carroll,  insult- 
ing, told  the  secretary  that  he  could  not 
stay,  even  though  his  life  had  not  been 
threatened  by  tlie  military  mob  he  defied, 
without  forfeiting  the  independence  he 
maintained.  Retiring,  therefoi-e,  after  his 
interview  with  the  President,  and  by  his 
advice,  to  Baltimore,  on  the  3d  September, 
1814,  in  the  federal  journal  of  that  city,  he 
published  an  indignant  resignation  of  a 
place,  which,  throughout  his  incumbency, 
was  one  of  continual  quarrels  with  the 
generals  ho  superintended,  and  of  their 
disastrous  miscarriages  of  the  campaigns 
he  projected.  At  his  residence  on  the 
North  River  he  survived  till  more  than 
eighty  years  old.  Having  bravely  served  in 
the  army  of  the  Revolution,  been  the  organ 


of  its  almost  rebellious  complaints  by  the 
Newberg  letters  which  he  wrote,  appointed 
to  high  public  trusts  at  home  and  abroad 
bv  Presidents  Washington,  Jefferson,  and 
Madison,  he  closed  his  life,  by  military 
annals  of  the  war  of  1812,  remarkable  for 
accurate  narrative,  polished  diction,  and 
manly  tone. 

Such  was  the  desolation  of  Washington 
when  the  President  returned,  that  even  the 
pi'ovision  markets  were  suspended,  and  one 
of  his  two  cows  was  killed  to  supply  beef 
for  the  family.  A  few  hams  and  some  wine 
carried,  the  wine  rolled  away  in  casks  from 
the  house,  were  all  that  remained  of  the 
President's  establishment,  except  the  walls 
of  the  building.  Nor  did  the  reign  of  ter- 
ror subside  with  the  enemy's  departure. 
Gordon's  squadron  had  passed  Fort  War- 
burton,  on  his  way  to  Alexandria.  Many 
persons,  p.articularly  Dr.  Thornton,  objected 
to  disarming  the  British  invalids  who  were 
left  in  possession  of  the  capital,  to  overcome 
which  pusillanimous  obsequiousness,  the 
mayor.  Dr.  Blake,  had  to  resort  to  a  town 
meeting,  which  became  the  subject  of  news- 
paper controversy  between  him  and  Dr. 
Thornton.  Almost  the  first  words  Monroe 
was  obliged  to  utter,  as  he  rode  into  the  city, 
were  a  severe  rebuke  to  Thornton,  suggest- 
ing that  the  citizens  of  AV^ashington  would 
do  well  to  follow  the  example  intended  to 
be  set  by  those  of  Alexandria,  and  depre- 
cate ruin  by  submission. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

DEFENCE  OF  BALTIMORE— RATTr.E  OF  NORTH  POINT— BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT 
M' HENRY— DEATH  OF  GENERAL  ROSS— RETREAT  OF  THE  ENEMY— GENERAL 
SMITH. 


' 


Vi 

1.  i-  •'? 


■    I 


'Ill 


CoNSTANTiNoriiE  and  St.  Petersburg  give 
metropolitan  tone  to  the  vast  empires  of 
Turkey  and  Russia,  seldom  troubled  with 
provincial  dissidence  or  popular  independ- 
ence. Evei'ything  governmental  and  na- 
tional is  the  work  of  an  event  in  the  capi- 
tal, acknowledged  without  hesitation  by  all 
the  rest  of  the  country,  while  persons  dis- 
tant rise  in  the  morning  and  go  to  bod  at 
night  as  has  been  determined  in  the  chief 
city.  Paris  and  Vienna  have  in  like  man- 
ner governed  France  and  Germany.  Reason- 
ing from  such  European  premises,  the 
British  captors  of  Washington  were  not  to 
be  persuaded  that  they  did  not  infer  the 
submission  of  the  United  States.  Mr. 
Francis  Key  ,who  went  on  board  the  British 
fleet  concerning  the  liberation  of  a  prisoner, 
and  was  detained  in  it  till  after  the  attack 
on  Baltimore,  could  not  convince  the  com- 
manders that  the  upshot  of  their  ephemeral 
triumph  would  not  be  as  they  flattered 


themselves  and  insisted,  submission  of  the 
country,  when  its  capital  fell ;  as  they  ar- 
gued, incapable  of  estimating  the  American 
polity,  federative  and  free  of  a  union  not 
consolidated,  h.ardly  centralized,  resting  on 
the  transeendentnl  basis  of  sovereign  States 
and  local  independence.  Confident  that 
their  seizure  of  a  weak  head  must  paralyze 
by  sj-mpathctic  panic  the  vigorous  limbs, 
when  they  had  hardly  wounded  and  only 
provoked  the  whole  body  to  fierce  resist- 
ance, the  defeat  of  their  next  attempt, 
which  the  British  official  accounts  termed 
(leinotisf ration  on  Baltimore,  signal  and 
complete  by  land  and  water,  simultane- 
ously with  that  of  their  naval  and  mili- 
tary discomfiture  at  Plattsburg,  was  the 
beginning  of  a  series  of  disasters  providen- 
tially punishing  their  iniquitous  prolonga- 
tion of  hostilities.  Reasons  for  attacking 
Washington  and  Baltimore  were  stated  in 
a  London  paper  to  be,  pursuant  to  Coch- 


[1814. 

ivints  by  the 
e,  appointed 
and  abroad 
fferson,  and 
by  military 
larkable  for 
lictiun,   and 

Washington 
hat  even  the 
led,  and  one 
supply  beef 
I  some  wine 

casks  from 
lined  of  the 
pt  the  walls 
reign  of  ter- 

departure. 

Fort  War- 
Iria.  Many 
on,  objected 
Is  who  were 
to  overcome 
)usness,  the 
•t  to  a  town 
ject  of  news- 
im  and  Dr. 
>rds  Monroe 
into  the  city, 
ton,  suggost- 
ngton  would 
intended  to 
,  and  dopre- 


DEATH  OF  ROSS. 


T  OF   FORT 
— GENF.RAL 


ssion  of  the 
as  they  ar- 
le  American 
\  union  not 
i,  resting  on 
reign  States 
itident  that 
ust  paralyze 
)rous  limbs, 
"d  and  only 
iercc  resist- 
xt  attempt, 
jnts  termed 
sifjnal  and 
simultanc- 
1  and  niili- 
•g,  was  the 
ra  providen- 
18  prolonga- 
•r  attacking 
po  stat('d  in 
nt  to  Coch- 


Chap.  IX.] 

rane's  letter,  that  "  if  any  towns  arc  to  suf- 
'      they  should  lie  the  objects,  in  order  to 
r-.h  a  largo  body  of  privateer  shipping 
,  liaUimore,  and  in  Washington  to  de- 
stroy a  pretty  well  supplied  arsenal,  and  [ 
thus  prevent  Congress  meeting  there  again,  ; 
an  event  much  and  generally  wishoil  for  by  I 
the  people  of  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  ; 
the  Eastern  States.     Let   the  arsenal  ?.nd  { 
naval  storehouses   bo  blown   up,  and   no 
govci-nmeut  will  be  able  to  get  a  majority 
in  Congress  to  vote  for  their  re-erection. 
To  the   assembly    of    the    legislature    at 
Washington,  the  influences  of  the  southern  j 
legislat<irs  may  be  ascribed :"  so  argued  the  i 
London  press. 

On  the  0th  of  Septem1)er,  1814,  the  wh(de 
fleet,  between  forty  and  fifty  vessels  of  war, 
got  under  way,  and  stood  uj)  the  Chesa])eakc, 
with  more  than  five  thousand  soldiers,  ma- 
rines, black  and  white,  and  seamen,  to  be 
landed  as  infantry,  umler  Admirals  Coch- 
rane, Cockburn,  Malcolm,  Codrington, 
Captain,  now  Admiral  Napier,  and  many 
other  distinguished  leaders.  On  the  'Jth, 
sailing  by  Annapolis,  on  the  11th,  reaching 
the  Patapsco,  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
12th  of  September,  1814,  they  handed  at 
North  Point,  while  several  vessels  of  light 
draft  attempted  to  ascend  the  Patapsco,  in- 
tending to  capture  or  silence  Fort  ISIcIIenry, 
an  open  fortification,  two  miles  from  Balti- 
more, and  two  other  water  batteries  adja- 
cent. General  lloss,  accompanied  by  Ad- 
miral Cochrane  in  the  van,  proceeded 
without  resistance,  about  four  miles,  when 

fallantly  encountered  by  two  companies  of 
terrott's  fine  regiment,  led  by  Captains 
Levering  and  Ilow.ard,  and  Captain  Ais- 
quith's  rifle  company,  composing  .an  ad- 
vance, detached  under  Major  Richard 
Heath,  accomjiaiiied  as  a  volunteer  by 
Robert  Goodloe  Harper,  long  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  members  of  Congress, 
bringing  on  what  was  called  the  battle  of 
North  J'oint  by  fortunately  killing  General 
Ross.  Soon  overwhelmed  by  superior  num- 
bers, our  advance  was  driven  back  on  their 
main  body,  the  Baltimore  brigade,  rather 
more  than  three  thousand  men,  commanded 
by  General  John  Strieker,  with  whom 
served  three  companies  of  Pennsylvania 
volunteers  under  Captains  Spangler,  Mete- 
gar  and  Dixon,  and  a  company  of  Mai'y- 
land  volunteers  under  Captain  tiuantill,  the 
whole  1(h1  by  Colonels  Sterrett,  McDonahl, 
Long,  Fdwler,  and  Amey,  with  Pinkney's 
rifle  battalion  under  Cajitaiu  Dyer,  some 
cavalry,  commanded  by  Colonel  Blays,  and 
six  four-pounders,  managed  by  Captain 
Montgomery.      These     troops    were    well 

Iwsted  by  General  Strieker,  and  fifteen 
mndred  of  them,  the  only  portion  actually 
engaged,  for  more  than  an  hour  bravely 
withstood  the  British  onset.  "  We  were 
draAving  near,"  says  the  English  narrative, 
"  tho  scuue  of  action,  whcu  another  ofllccr 


211 


came  at  full  speed  towards  us,  with  horror 
and  dismay  in  his  countenance,  and  calling 
aloud  for  a  surge(m.  Every  man  felt 
within  himself  that  all  was  not  right,  though 
none  was  willing  to  believe  the  whispers  of 
his  own  terror.  But  what  at  first  we  could 
not  guess  at,  because  we  dreaded  it  so  much, 
was  soon  realized  ;  for  the  aid-de-camp  had 
scarcely  passed,  when  tlie  General's  horse, 
witiiout  its  rider,  and  with  the  saddle  and 
housings  stained  with  Ijlood,  came  plunging 
onwards.  Nor  was  much  time  given  for 
fearful  surmise  as  to  the  extent  of  our  mis- 
fortune. In  a  few  minutes  we  reached  the 
ground  where  the  skirmishing  had  taken 
place,  and  beheld  poor  Ross  laid  by  the 
side  of  the  road,  under  a  canopy  of  blankets, 
and  apparently  in  the  agonies  of  death. 
As  soon  as  the  firing  began,  he  had  ridden 
to  the  front,  that  he  might  ascertain  from 
whence  it  originated,  and  mingling  with 
the  skirmishers,  was  shot  in  the  side  by  a 
rifleman.  The  wound  was  mortal ;  he  fell 
into  the  arms  of  his  aid-de-camp,  and  lived 
only  h)ng  enough  to  name  his  wife,  and  to 
commend  his  family  to  the  protection  of  his 
country.  He  was  removed  towards  the 
fleet,  and  expired  before  his  bearers  could 
reach  the  boats."  By  this  death  the  com- 
mand of  the  British  army  devolved  on 
Colonel  Brooke,  whose  well  composed  of- 
ficial report  of  their  speedy  and  clandestine 
abandonment  of  the  attempt  on  Baltimore, 
attributes  it  to  the  failure  of  the  naval  at- 
tack on  Fort  McIIenry.  But  the  fact  was 
that,  discouraged  by  Ross's  death,  the 
promptitude  of  Heath's  assault,  and  the 
bravery  of  Strieker's  contest,  the  enemy 
were  still  more  disconcerted  when  they  dis- 
covered the  preparations  made  l)y  General 
Samuel  Smith  for  the  defence  of  Baltimore. 
During  more  than  an  hour  the  battle  of  North 
Point  was  well  contested  by  but  fifteen  hun- 
dred of  the  Baltimore  volunteers  against 
superior  numbers  of  veteran  regular  troops. 
The  misconduct  of  one  regiment.  Colonel 
Amey's,  caused  some  confusion,  and  forced 
(ieneral  Strieker  to  yield  the  field  of  battle. 
But  most  of  his  inexperienced  troops,  espe- 
cially the  5th  and  27th  regiments,  (tlie  lat- 
ter well  trained  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Samuel  Moore,)  behaved  with  a  spirit  to 
redeem  the  dishonor  of  Bladonsburg.  Tho 
British,  who  lost  more  than  officially  re- 
ported, confessed  thirty-nine  killed  and 
two  hundred  and  twenty-nine  wounded, 
whilo  our  loss  was  twenty-one  killed  and 
a  hundred  and  thirty-nine  wounded,  and 
f^fty  taken  :  the  most  distiriguished  of  our 
slain,  James  Lowry  Donaldson,  a  city 
memiier  of  the  State  legislature,  who  fidl 
bravely  animating  the  27th  regiment,  of 
which  he  was  U'  utant,  to  manly  com- 
bat, and  Lieutchint  Andre.  General 
Stricrker  took  his  first  position,  maintain- 
ed it,  and  fell  back  to  the  second,  with 
such  spirit  that  Brooke  did  not  venture  to 


^■ 


"X.-  , 


#■; 


•I- 


J.i 


4^' 
Mi 


^'r'l!; 


•■; 


m 

;.t  /: 


■»■(.., 


212 


FORT  M'lIENRY. 


[1814. 


I''  ■"'  '  f 


i: 


P^ . 


ili 


a.  A 


M  1 


pursue.  About  the  time  of  Struikor's  lawt 
htaiid,  lio  AViis  joinod  by  (ieuoral  AVindor 
with  (Joufii'iil  J>i(u;j;his'  l)rijz;;vdo  of  Vir^iiniii 
militia,  ami  Cajitain  IJiiril's  troop  of  ro;;u- 
lar  cavalry.  'I  ho  Maryland  liri;^adoH  of 
^lotiorals  .Stansbiiry  and  Foromaii,  tho  soa- 
niiMi  and  niariiKis  iiudcr  (.'oiniiKMlovo  llod- 
pors,  the  I'omisylvania  viduiitoors  uiKhsr 
(Jidoiuds  (lohoaii  ami  Kliidhty,  the  lJaii.i- 
moro  artillery  under  (Jolonel  Harris,  and 
tho  marine  artillery  under  Cantain  Stiles, 
manned  the  trenchoH  and  battcnoH,  atwhieh 
they  remained  all  ni<rht  under  arms,  ready 
for  any  assault  th(^  enemy  mij2;ht  undertake. 
Sleepinf;  on  the  battle-ground.  Colonel 
llrooke  next  daj'  approached  Baltimore, 
whose  defences  ho  (dosely  re(!onnoitered  and 
found  bristlinn;  with  eaimiui  fortifyinj;  the 
hills,  mannttd  by  not  less  than  twelve  thou- 
sand men,  whom  he  showed  no  disposition 
to  attack,  well  prepared  and  resolved  as 
tlicy  were  to  vindicate  their  firi^sides  by 
repulsiu;^,  oa|)turin;5  or  destroying  their 
invadurs,  who  eseayied  by  noeturnal  ilip;ht. 

Arranjfeiaeuts    W(n'(^    made    to    cut    off 
Bro.)!;e's  retroiit  b\'  (leneral  Winder,  with 
(tcnn-al   Douglas's    Virj^inia   brigade   and 
liome  regular  troops ;  but   Brooke  prccipi- 
iat;dy  nude  his  escape  under  cover  of  night, 
smd   uncomfortable  weather,  to  the  ship- 
ping, leaving  a  few  prisoners  in  our  hands. 
A  grand  but  shy  attack  was  made  by  the 
fleet  on  F(U-t  Mcllenry,  on  the  ISth.  Formed 
in  a  half  circle  in  front  of  it,  but  keeping 
out  of  range  of  its  batteries,  bomb  and  other 
vessels  fired,  during  that  day  and  night, 
oightoon  hundred  bomb-shells,  with  multi- 
tudes of  round  shot  and  rockets,  not  less 
altogether  than  one  hundred  and  sixty  tons 
of  iron  engines  of  destruction,  with  no  effect 
of  intimidation  or  success,  ancl  without  mucit 
destruction,  owing  to  the  distance  at  which 
the  masters  of  tho  seas  kept  from  the  well- 
known  gunnery  of  the  Americans.     Major 
Armistead,  of  tlio  artillery,  who  commanded 
Fort  Mcllenry,  with   his  comrades  there, 
wore  a  target  for  British  practice,  for  tho 
fort  returned  but  few   shots,  when    they 
found  that  they  foil  short  of   the  onenjy. 
Many  of  the  British  bombs  weighed  two  hun- 
dred and  twenty   pounds;   the   uproar   of 
whose  reverberations  was  as  terrific  as  the 
spectacle  of  night  cannonade  was  imposing. 
After  firing  these  missiles  into  the  fort  from 
six  in  the  morning  till  three  in  tho  after- 
noon, Cochrane  moved  some  of  his  vessels 
nearer,  and  tlieir  shot  hailed  fire  on  the  de- 
fendants.    But  in  very   few  moments,   as 
Hoon  as  Armistead's  guns  reposted  within 
a  dlsliuccAvhich  brought  them  into  contact 
with  their  assailants,  the  latter  slipped  their 
eatiles,  hoisted  their  sails,  and  fell  back  be- 
yond the  range  (d"  our  largest  guns.    About 
midnight,  screimed  by  total  darkness  and 
lighttfd  by  the  flame  of  their  own  artillery, 
a  few  bomb  \  csscls  ami  rociket  boats,  with 
a  large   squadron  of  barges,  manned  by 


twelve  hunilrod  men,  pushed  up  the  cove 
beyond  Fort  Mcllenry,  to  assail  it  in  the 
rear,  effect  a  landing,  and  try  tho  city;  with 
loud  cheers  moving  on,  an('  /lattering  them- 
selves that  success  awaited  their  last  effort, 
on  which  the  British  admiral  confidently 
relied.    Fatigue,  want  of  rest  and  comfort, 
bad  weather  and  exposure,  unprotectiid  by 
good  W(U'ks  from  the  enemy's  fire,  without 
the  excitement  of  returning  it,  as  they  were 
beyond  reach  of  ours,  tried  tho  fortitude 
of  the  mixed  garrison  of  Fort  IMcIIenry. 
Three   companies  of    Baltimore   artillery, 
commanded  by  Captains  Berry,  Judge  Ni- 
cholson and  Lieutenant  Penningtcm,  parts 
of  the  thirty-sixth  and  thirty-eighth  regi- 
ments of  Uniteil  States  infantry,  under  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Stuart,  with  Aiajor  Ijane,  of 
tho  fourteenth  United  States  regiment,  serv- 
ing as  a  volunteer,  composed  iVLajor  Armi- 
stead's force  in  the  fort :  of  whom  tlie  clumsy 
gunnery  of  the  British  shipjiing  killed  but 
four,  among  whom  were   two   respectable 
merchants,  Lieutenant  Chiggett  and   Ser- 
geant Clennn;  Wounding  only  twenty.  Two 
American  ship-masters,  ])risoners  on  board 
the   frigate   Menelaus  tluring   the    attack, 
stated,  when  afterwards  liberated,  as  told 
to   them  by   British   officers,  that  tho   at- 
tempt was  made  by  eighty  boats,  carrying 
each  twenty-five  men,  and  defeate<l   with 
a  loss  of  between  four  and  five  hundred. 
The  several  water  batterie.t,  not  only  Fort 
Mcllenry  but  Fort  Covington,  where  Com- 
nioiloro    llodgers    was   stationed  with  his 
sailors,  and  Lieutenant  Newcomb  of  the 
navy,  and  the  flotilla  men  from  the  city  bat- 
tery, under  Lieutenant  Webster,  as  well  as 
that  of  tho  Lazaretto,  deluged  the  assailants 
with  such  torrents  of  hot  shot,  as  not  merely 
to  repulse,  but,  with  great  loss,  cpiickly  drive 
them  back  to  their  original  anchorage  out 
of  reach.     Baltimore,  shaken  to  its  foun- 
dations  hy  these   tremendous   explosions, 
stood  firm  in  spirit:  and  it  was  during  the 
striking  concussions  of  that  night  conflict, 
that  tho  song  of  the  "Star-spangled  Ban- 
ner" was  composed  in  the  admiral's  ship. 

Soon  after  the  morning  attack  on  Fort 
Mcllenry  began,  Brooke  led  his  forces  with- 
in a  mile  of  Baltimore,  skilfully  followed, 
however,  and  judiciously  threatened  )iy  Win- 
der. Tho  British  commander  concentrated 
his  force  ostensibly  for  storming  tho  town 
that  night.  Goner.al  Smith,  perfectly  pre- 
j)ared  for  it,  posted  Winder  and  Strieker  so 
advantageously  for  attacking  Brooke  next 
morning,  that,  together  with  the  night  fail- 
ure on  the  water  fortifications,  the  British 
docamned,  alwut  midnight,  with  great  pre- 
cipitation, favored  by  total  darkness,  heavy 
rain,  and  tho  exhausted  condition  of  the 
Americans,  who,  during  the  three  ilays  and 
nights'  campaign,  had  suffered  from  fiitigue, 
inclement  weather  and  want  of  rest.  The 
bomb  vessels  and  barges  whi<di  passed  be- 
yond Fort  Mcllenry,  after  losing  many  men 


[1814. 

up  t}lO  covo 
iiil  it  in  tlio 
liotilty;  witli 
ttoriii^  tliom- 
ir  last  offort, 
I  coiifidontly 
inid  comfort, 
pvotoctod  ))y 
firo,  without 
as  tlioy  wcro 
tlio  fortitude 
rt  IMcHenry. 
)ro   artillery, 
r,  Judj^o  N^i- 
ngton,  parts 
oiji;litli  rogi- 
r,  undnr  Liou- 
ajor  Jiano,  of 
(ilimoiit,  Hcrv- 
Major  Armi- 
m  tlie  (-luniRy 
iig  killed  but 
rospcctable 
;ctt  and   Ser- 
twciity.  Two 
lors  on  board 
:   the    attack, 
rated,  as  told 
that  the   at- 
)ats,  carrying 
efoatod   with 
five  hundred, 
lot  only  Fort 
I,  whore  Com- 
ned  with  his 
rconil)  of  the 
n  the  city  batr 
;or,  as  well  as 
the  assailants 
as  not  merely 
.quickly  drive 
inchorage  out 
1  to  its  foun- 
s   explosions, 
IS  during  the 
tiight  conflict, 
panglcd  Ban- 
iiiral's  ship, 
tack  on  Fort 
is  forces  with- 
ully  followed, 
tened  byWin- 
•  concentrated 
ing  the  town 
perfectly  pre- 
:id  Strieker  so 
:  Brooke  next 
the  night  fail- 
s,  the  British 
ith  great  pre- 
rkness,  heavy 
idition  of  the 
liree  days  and 
1  from  iiitigue, 
of  rest.     The 
ch  passed  bo- 
ng many  men 


Chap.  IX.] 


BRITISH  RETREAT. 

— — • — 


213 


and  suffering  considerable  damage,  saved  I  f)erior  number  of  some  throe  hundred  Bri- 
froni  annihilation  by  the  total  darkness,  re- 1  tish  seamen  and  nuvrines.  on  the  slioi-e  near 
trcatcil  to  thcir<listantpositions,out  ofreach  I  Snowden's,  on  tlus  I'hesaiieake  Bay.  At- 
of  shot,  whence  they  kept  r;.  the  inott'ect- i  ti-r  ineffectually  discharging  tiieir  muskets 


ual  bombardment  till  six  o'clock  next  morn- 
ing, when  they,  like  the  army,  drew  oft",  both 
worsted  and  C(mvinced  of  the  mucli  greater 
probability  of  their  own  capture  or  destruc- 
tion, than  that  of  Baltimore.  After  the 
army  had  effected  its  escape,  the  cannonade 
of  Fort  McIIenry  ceased,  at  six  o'clo<!k,  on 
the  morning  of  the  14th,  having  continued 
twenty-four  hours,  (/omidctely  foiled  by 
water  an<l  land,  the  invaders  officially  apiH 
logized  for  their  r^itroat,  by  stating  that,  as 
the  river  did  not  admit  of  near  approach 
to  the  fort,  storming  the  city,  without  first 
taking  Fort  McIIenry,  might  have  «!ost  more 
than  it  would  come  to.    British  admirals  and 


in  their  usual  way,  tlu!  seamen,  terri- 
fied by  th(!  horses  close  upon  them,  dis- 
jiersed  and  fled,  and  would  have  been  all 
taken,  but  that  the  riding-nnister  of  the 
troop,  a  Sc((tsnian  named  (.'raig,  who  was  a 
deserter  from  the  British,  liecame  frightened 
and  called  out  to  retreat,  which  C'ajitain 
Burd,  who  was  wounded,  in  vain  strove  to 
prevent.  Craig's  fear  was  that,  if  taken, 
he  would  be  executed  as  a  desertf^r,  and  liis 
voice  with  the  troop  proved  irresistible  by 
its  commander,  whose  conduct  cm  the  oc- 
casion was  exceedingly  gallant.  Jlr.  Mer- 
cer charged  with  his  riding-whij)  in  his 
hand.     In  these  fro(iuent  little  lontests  the 


colon«ds,  therefore,  withdrew  fnun  that  last '  military  sj)irit  of  the  itonntrv  was  educated, 
hostile  demonstration  of  the  mistress  of  the  j  while  the  j>iratical  mischief  of  the  enemy 
sea  in  the  waters  of  the  (Jlicsa()cake,  with  i  roused  it  evcsry  when^  to  indignant  rosist- 
the  scuTy  consolation  of  what  Admiral  i  ance.  To  this  hour,  all  along  the  shores  of 
Coehrane's  disjiatch  to  Secretary  Croker  re-  the  Ohosai)eako  to  the  ocean,  British  bar- 
capitulated  as  the  fruits  of  the  abortion,  barity  continucss  to  be  borne  in  mind,  and 
"  the  liurning  of  an  extensive  rope-walk  and  among  that  portion  of  the  people  then 
other  })uhU('  <(rections,  causing  their  inhabit-    charged  by  political  opponents  with  British 


ants  to  remove  their  property  from  the  city, 
above  all,  the  collecting  and  /(((rnsniin/ ihom 
around  from  the  surrounding  country,  pro- 
ducing a  total  stagnation  of  tlicir  commerce, 
and  heajiing  upon  them  c(msidorable  ex- 
penses, at  the  same  time  effectually  drawing 
off  their  attiMition  and  support  from  other 
important  quarters." 

On  the  last  day  of  October,  1814,  an 
officer,  with  a  boat's  crew  from  the  Bri- 
tish sloop -of- war  Saracen,  landed  at  the 
garden  of  St.  Inigoe's,  the  manor-house 
of  a  Roman  Catholic  estalilishment,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Potomac,  built,  in  1705, 
of  britrks  brought  from  Jingland,  rifled 
the  chapel,  the  tabernacle  and  sacred  or- 
naments of  the  altar,  stole  the  beds,  clock, 
knives,  forks,  plate,  glass,  the  missionary's 
watch,  the  b((oks,  medicines,  the  clothes 
hung  out  to  dry  and  from  the  wash-tubs. 
On  the  18th  November,  1814,  Captain  Alex- 
ander Dixie,  commander  of  the  Saracen, 
sent  an  officer  with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  let- 
ter adilressed  to  the  clergyman  belonging 
to  the  chapel  at  St.  Inigoe's,  and  the  other 
residents  there,  acknowledging  the  robbery 
from  the  house  and  chapel,  declaring  f.he 
proceeding  umxuthorized,  and  restoring  some 
of  the  articles  taken,  "  hoping  this  justice 
will  efface  prejudicial  sentiments  towards 
the  British:"  —  rare  confession  and  poor 
atonement  for  the  common  rapine  practised 
by  the  British  navy  in  the  waters  of  the 
Chesapeake. 

On  the  same  day.  Captain  Burd,  accom- 
panied by  Colonel  John  Francis  Mercer,  a 
respectable  gentleman  of  Maryland,  and  Mr. 
John  Nelson,  at  the  head  of  Burd's  troop 
of  United  Sta;;e8  dragoons,  surprised  by  a 
dashing  charge  and  overcame  a  much  sa- 


attachnients,  the  memory  of  their  brutali- 
ties is  fresh.  Any  one  of  whom  there  re- 
mains the  least  tradition  of  omission  to 
resist  tho.ii,  .^..vl  much  more,  of  affording 
them  aid  or  succor,  is  despised  to  the  third 
generation.  These  sentiments  grow  stronger 
nearer  the  ocean,  and  the  primitive  peoplo 
of  Accomac,  Virginian  by  State  allegiance, 
Marylanders  in  locality,  were  remarkable 
for  strenuous  warfare,  while  represented  in 
Congress,  in  1814,  by  Thomas  W.  Bayloy, 
whose  son,  of  the  same  name,  now  I'cprc- 
sents  that  district. 

Among  the  volunteers  from  Pennsylva- 
nia, repairing  in  masses  and  great  num- 
bers to  be  organized,  armed,  ecpiippeil,  and 
disciplined  for  the  rescue  of  Baltimore, 
was  Mr.  James  Buchanan,  the  present 
(1848)  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United 
States.  Like  Mr.  Harper,  a  federalist,  con- 
demning the  war,  Mr.  Buchanan  was  among 
the  young  men  of  Lancaster,  where  he  lived, 
to  volunteer  to  fight  for  it;  and  as  a  private 
dragoon  in  the  troop  of  Captain,  afterwards 
Judge,  Henry  Shippen,  hastened  to  the 
scene  of  action.  Without  commissions  or 
orders,  those  citizens  of  a  neighbor  State 
flocked  to  the  post  of  danger,  and  organized 
themselves  into  regiir.  nts  with  the  ardor 
which  has  often  surpassed  enlisted,  and 
more  orderly  embodiment,  chose  their  own 
officers,  and  throughout  their  brief  service 
fixced  <langer  with  a  C(mstancy  which  nei- 
ther discipline  nor  pay  can  always  produce. 
The  present  Seci-etary  of  State  mounted 
guard,  at  one  time,  a  stalwart  sentinel, 
with  naked  sabre  in  his  hand  at  the  door 
of  General  Smith. 

J  s  before  stated  in  the  Bladensburg  nar- 
rative, that  tine   national  anthem,  "  The 


i^' 


a;' 


s. 

'v',.- 
?•■-•■  • 


.?.■■ 


m 


■m 

:'ti 


t': 


214 


STAR-SPANGLED  BANNER. 

— « — 


[1814. 


11, ^/i ..' 


|;rt; 


5i 

Star-Spanglod  Banner,"  was  a  Htroko  of 
lyrical  gonius,  hy  anotlier  federal  gentle- 
man, from  the  Baltimore  conflict.  Among 
the  British  prinoiicrs  at  Bliidenslmrjr  was  a 
Serjeant  llutcliinson,  of  the  sappfsrs  and 
miners,  an  intt'liij^ent  young  man,  grateful 
for  the  kindnesH  and  attention  which  he 
and  his  wounded  companions  received  when 
loft  hehind  at  Boss's  departure  from  AV^ash- 
ington.  A  respectahlo  pliysician  of  Marl- 
borough, Dr.  Bt>ans,  with  some  of  his  ser- 
vants, having  captured  some  English  strag- 
glers on  the  retreat  of  the  British  army ; 
when  informed  fif  it,  a  detachment  was  sent 
hack  to  retaliate  hy  capturing  him  and  take 
him  on  board  their  shijiping  as  a  prisoner, 
to  he  sent  to  Bermuda.  Mr.  Francis  Kev 
went  witli  a  flag  of  truce  on  l)oard  the  Bri- 
tish fleet  to  solicit  Dr.  Beans'  release,  pro- 
vided with  letters  from  Scvg.  Hutchinson 
and  other  British  prisoners,  strongly  repre- 
eonting  tiie  humane  treatment  they  had  all 
enjoyed,  and  (Jen.  Boss,  witii  characteristic 
generosity,  restored  Dr.  Beans,  at  Mr.  Key's 
Bolieitation.  But  as  the  fleet  was  then  altout 
proceeding  to  attack  Biiltimore,  Mr.  Key 
was  detained  till  after  that  event.  Taken 
witli  the  British  to  the  mouth  of  the  Pa- 
tapsco,  his  little  vessel  was  kept  under 
the  guns  of  a  frigate  during  the  homhard- 
ment,  watching  the  .shells  and  listening  to 
the  cannoiuido,  which  the  admiral  boast- 
ed would  soon  reduce  the  fort  and  the  city 
to  surrender.  All  day  Mr.  Key  watched 
the  American  flag  on  the  fort ;  and  when 
the  wet,  gloomy,  and  terrible  night  render- 
ed the  star-spangled  banner  invisible,  the 
bomb-shells  were  Mr.  Key's  signs  till  day- 
light once  more  revealed  tiio  flag  of  his 
country,  proudly  waving  defiance  to  the 
discomfited  enemy.  Under  these  cii'cum- 
stances  ho  composed  the  stanzas  which 
have  become  a  national  anthem. 

General  Samuel  Smith,  who,  as  major- 
general  of  the  Marjdand  militia,  ably  com- 
manded at  Baltimore,  was  an  opulent  mer- 
chant, for  thirty  years  memlier  of  Congress, 
in  both  branches,  and  from  the  time  of  tlie 
llevoUition  had  been  pi'ominent  in  American 
nnnals.  As  commander  of  Fort  Mifflin, 
then  Mud  Fort,  in  the  war  of  the  Be  volution, 
ho  was  distinguished  for  its  courageous  and 
successful  defence  against  an  English  water 
attack;  on  which  occasion  his  lieutenant, 
Plunkett,  a  Baltimore  merchant,  who  emi- 
grated, for  love  of  liberty,  from  Ireland  to 
America,  was  brother  of  the  Irish  chancel- 
lor, eminent  in  tlie  British  Ifouso  of  Lords, 
as  Loi'd  Plunkett,  for  the  Irish  talent  of 
eloquence,  and  for  liberal  politics.  Gene- 
ral Smith's  niece  became  the  wife  of  the 
younger  brother  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon, 
and  his  daughter  married  the  eldest  son  of 
the  English  Chief  Justice,  Sir  James  Mans- 
field. The  general's  son-in-law,  Mr.  Chris- 
topher Hughes,  represented  the  United 
States,  longer  than  any  other  American,  at 


several  European  conrta,  in  successful  di- 
plomatic intercourse  and  uncommon  per- 
sonal familiarity  with  many  of  the  monarchs 
and  great  numljors  of  elevated  persi.nagcs, 
from  the  commencement  of  his  valuable 
services  in  that  capacity,  as  secretary  of  the 
American  commission  at  Ghent.  Of  the 
repul)li(an  party,  General  Smith  was  tein- 
nerate  and  c<mservative  in  the  support  of 
its  principles  throughout  his  long  public 
career ;  never  held  an  office  by  Executive 
appointment,  or  otherwise  than  bj'  popular 
or  legislative  election  ;  and  at  tlie  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six  years  laiil  down,  at  last, 
his  life  in  Baltimore,  a  -city  of  a  hundred 
tliousand  people,  which  he  had  inhabited 
wlien  little  more  than  a  village. 

C(n'ps  of  letter  writers,  since  become  part 
of  American  public  intelligence  and  influ- 
ence, then  did  not  exist:  thougii  there  were 
occa-<ional  faljrications  f)f  tlitit  kind,  one  of 
which  published  in  a  Boston  journal,  re- 
ported from  Baltimore,  that  there  was  "a 
contest  there  between  the  civil  and  military 
powers ;  tlie  former  are  for  a  capitulating 
embassy,  but  the  military  men  will  not 
consent."  A  London  paper,  (if  tlie  17th 
June,  stated  that  "the  grand  exjiedition 
preparing  at  Bourdeaux  for  America,  un- 
der the  gallant  Lord  Hill,  is  destined  for 
the  Chesapeake  direct.  Our  little  army  in 
Canada  will,  at  the  same  instant,  be  directed 
to  make  a  movement  in  the  direction  of  the 
Sus(]uehanna;  and  both  armies  will,  there- 
fore, in  all  probability,  meet  at  Washington, 
Philadelphia,  or  Baltimore.  Tlie  seat  of 
the  American  government,  but  nun-e  pai'- 
ticularly  Baltimore,  is  to  be  the  immediate 
object  of  attack.  In  the  diploinatic  circles 
it  is  also  rumored  that  our  naval  and  mili- 
tary commanders  on  the  American  station 
have  no  power  to  conclude  any  armistice  or 
suspension  of  arms.  They  cany  with  them 
certain  terms,  Avhich  will  be  ofren^d  to  the 
American  government  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  The  terms,  of  course,  are  not 
made  public ;  but  there  is  reason  to  believe 
that  America  will  be  left  in  a  much  worse 
situation,  as  a  naval  and  coinmei-cial  power, 
than  she  was  at  the  commencement  of  the 
war."  Thus  infatuated  were  liondon  and 
Boston,  when  Baltimore  repelled  the  me- 
naces, contrivances,  and  expectations,  re- 
garded, no  doubt,  with  unmanly  fear  by 
some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Atlantic  sea- 
ports, countenanced  by  disaft'ection,  but 
indignantly  and  strenuously  repelled  by 
nearly  the  whole  Union,  and  crushed  for- 
ever in  the  newest,  weakest,  and  least 
Americanized  part  of  it — Louisiana.  The 
invading  British  army,  from  Canada,  was 
chased  from  Plattsburg  at  the  same  moment 
that  the  army  from  France  was  driven  from 
Baltimore,  and  the  third  and  greater  divi- 
sion, striking  at  New  Orleans,  was  demo- 
lished there  with  still  more  impressive 
overtlirow. 


[1814. 

luccessful  (li- 
(foniiium  por- 
tlu'inoniirc'lis 
1  p('rs(;nan;i's, 
Jiis  ViilunMo 
■rctiirvof  tlio 
"lit.  Of  tlio 
litli  was  tein- 
le  support  of 
lonii;  public 
by  Executive 
n  1)3'  popular 
tlio  advanced 
iown,  at  last, 
)f  a  InindnHl 
ad  inhabited 
e. 

3  become  part 
ice  and  inliu- 
;li  there  were 
t  kind,  one  of 
I  journal,  re- 
thero  was  "a 
and  military 
capitulatini^ 
len  will  not 
of  the  17th 
d  exjiedition 
America,  nn- 
dostined  for 
little  army  in 
it,  bo  directed 
rection  of  the 
Rs  will,  there- 
Washington, 
The  seat  of 
ut  more  par- 
ho  immediate 
tinatic  circles 
val  and  mili- 
>rioan  station 
r  armistice  or 
•IT  with  them 
:)iteri^d  to  the 
point  of  the 
irse,  are  not 
ion  to  believe 
i  much  worse 
ercial  power, 
ement  of  the 
London  and 
lied  the  me- 
cetations,  ro- 
xnly  fear  by 
Atlantic  sea- 
ftection,   but 
repelled  by 
crushed  for- 
t,   and    least 
isiana.     The 
Canada,  was 
anie  moment 
5  driven  from 
greater  divi- 
!,  was  demo- 
!   impressive 


Chap.  IX.] 


MANUFACTURES, 


215 


By  a  coincidence  so  remarkable,  that  it 
requires  not  much  superstition  to  deem  it 
providential,  the  terms  ultimately  accepted 
by  the  British  negotiators  as  the  basis  of 
the  treaty  of  peace,  Avcre  presented  by  the 
American  ministers  at  Ghent  the  day  of  the 
(lack  of  Washington — 24th  August,  1814. 
The  course  of  the  negotiation  always  was 
for  the  British  commissioners  to  postpone 
answering  our  notes  till  they  had  time  to 
transmit  them  from  Ghent  to  London,  and 
get  the  minister's  instructions  from  Down- 
ing Street  how  to  answer.  During  one  of 
the  intervals,  occasioned  by  these  postpone- 
ments, Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Uussell,  and  Mr. 
JIughes  made  a  visit  to  Brussels,  then,  like 
all  that  region,  occupied  by  British  troops. 
At  Brussels  they  went  to  the  theatre,  where 
the  Secretary  of  Legation,  Mr.  Hughes,  ac- 
cidentally overheard  in  the  lobby  a  loud 
boast  by  one  British  officer  to  another,  that 
news  had  just  come  from  London  of  the  cap- 
ture and  burning  of  Washington.  "Have 
you  heard  the  news?"  said  lie,  in  a  high 
tone  of  not  unnatural  gratification.  "  We 
have  taken  and  burned  the  Yankee  capital, 
and  thrown  those  American  rebels  back 
half  a  century."  Disconcerted  by  such 
distressing  intelligence,  Mr.  Hughes  le- 
turued  to  the  box  where  he  left  ^Ir.  Clay 
and  Mr.  Russell,  and  without  letting  them 
know  why,  told  them  there  was  a  reason 
why  they  should  not  remain  in  the  theatre, 
whore  some  of  the  British  Legation  at 
Ghent  were  also  present,  having,  like  the 
Americans,  taken  advantage  of  the  interval 
for  an  excursion  to  Brussels.  Mr.  Clay  and 
Mr.  Russell  reluctantly  accompanied  Mr. 
Hughes  to  their  hotel,  to  be  there  told  the 
tidings  from  Washington.  Next  morning 
the  gentlemen  of  the  English  mission  sent 
them  a  London  newspaper  with  the  official 
dispatches,  which  induced  the  American 
party  to  return  to  Ghent  much  mortitiod. 
In  a  few  days,  however,  arrived  the  account 
of  the  affair  at  Baltimore,  British  repulse, 
Ross'  death,  and  precipitate  departure  of 
the  invading  army,  which  intelligence  was 
sent  by  the  American  to  the  British  com- 
missioners, with  compliments  as  gratifying 
as  those  sent  to  them  at  Brussels  on  the 
capture  of  Washington. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  the  London 
Courier  published  the  letter  of  Lord  Mel- 
ville to  the  Lord  Mayor,  announcing  the 
success  of  the  army  under  Gener.al  Ross, 
adding,  "that  the  Park  and  Tower  guns 
were  tired  at  noon  in  honor  of  the  victory, 
which  is  surely  worth  an  illumination." 

The  London  Gazette,  officially  announc- 
ing the  capture  of  Washington  as  a  great 
and  decisive  victory,  was  translated,  by 
order  of  the  British  ministry,  i.ito  French, 
German,  and  Italian,  and  industriously 
<«oattered  broadcast  over  all  Europe.  But 
the  French  and  continental  press  generally 
expressed  horror  at  an  outrage  such  as  hau 


not  been  perpetrated  in  any  of  the  capitals 
of  that  continent,  nearly  all  recently  ca)*- 
tured.  Even  the  London  Statesman  qu(!riid, 
"  Is  it  quite  clear  that  the  expediti:)n  to 
Washington  will  meet  universal  apju'oba- 
tion  ?  The  Cossacks  spared  Paris,  but  wo 
spared  not  the  Capitol  at  Washington."  JVt 
the  head  of  social,  literary,  fashi(  .mble, 
and  political  influence  in  the  saloons  of 
Paris,  in  the  presence  of  the  viceroy, 
Duke  of  Wellington,  Madame  do  Stael  de- 
nounced the  conflagration  of  Washington 
as  an  unexampled  enormity.  At  London 
she  had  become  intimate  with  her  fellow- 
countryman.  Ml'-  Gallatin,  who  sometimes 
accompanied  her  in  her  drives  about  that 
city,  and  with  whoso  highly  intellectual 
conversation  she  was  much  pleased.  A 
Brussels  Journal  of  the  8th  October,  1814, 
in  the  midst  of  British  armies  of  occupa- 
tion, published,  that  "  by  the  last  accounts 
from  Ghent,  the  late  events  in  North  Ameri- 
ca, destruction  of  Washington,  &c.,  have 
made  a  very  deep  impression  on  the  Ameri- 
can negotiators.  After  a  short  absence  they 
returned  to  (ihent,  and  expect  with  impa- 
tience instructions  from  their  government 
that  will  probably  decide  the  *ate  of  the  no 
gotiations." 

Hostilities  had  done  their  worst  in  Ame- 
rica. Thenceforth  they  ceased  to  be  dis- 
astrous or  terrible.  The  spirit,  energy,  and 
resources  of  the  United  States  were  in 
development ;  the  inipotency  of  Great  Bri- 
tain to  inflict  fatal  blows  on  this  country 
demonstrated.  Its  foreign  commerce  was, 
indeed,  for  the  moment  suspended.  But 
amid  all  the  vicissitudes  and  difficulties  of 
military  operations,  the  great  work  and 
need  of  American  independence  steadily 
and  rapidly  advanced,  by  the  establishment 
of  manufactures,  for  which  theretofore  the 
people  of  the  United  States  were  dependent 
on  England.  Even  while  arms  were  silent, 
foreign  commerce  languished,  and  muskeis 
and  cannons  were  idle,  thousands  of  shut- 
tles and  millions  of  spindles  were  in  motion, 
every  one  contributing  to  the  independence 
and  wealth  of  the  American  people.  War 
did  the  work  of  prosperous  peace.  Tho 
industry,  ingenuity,  machinery,  ar  d  manu- 
factures, which  enabled  every  workman  in 
England  to  rierform  tho  labor  of  five  men, 
and  every  chiU'  that  of  a  man,  were  by 
English  war  forced  in  America  by  prema- 
ture commencement  to  rapid  maturity. 

These  were  moral  and  political  European 
reinforcements  to  our  cause  which,  from 
that  crisis,  carried  it  onward  to  wonderful 
success ;  and  if,  for  the  conflagration  of 
tho  semblance  of  a  capital  at  Washington, 
and  wasting  with  fi  e  and  sword  the  United 
States  from  Plattsburg  to  New  Orleans, 
peace  was  procrastinated  by  the  English 
government  rejecting  disdainfully  the  sim- 
ple terms  of  settlement  to  which  they  after- 
wards came,  was  there  not  a  just  retribu- 


I 


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ll'  • 

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Ir 

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216 


HARTFORD  CONVENTION. 

— ♦ 


UolJ 


tion  ami  terrible  vcngodnoo  inflictol  by  the  i  ciiuso  of  war  at  ftn  end,  our  luimblo  on- 
carnage  their  troops  underwent  Jjofore  New  treatieH  for  peace  were  eoldly  njKc  mI  ; 
Orleans?  Tlio  (lod  of  battles  soenied  to  be  and,  from  April,  1S14,  until  iJeceinber,  war 
witli  us  from  the  inomont  when,  after  the  J  was  proltmj^cd  by  (Jreat  iiritaiu  for  huvof 
pacification   of  Europe,  and  all   practical    and  revenge. 


CriAPTKR   X. 


THE  HARTFORD  CONVENTION. 


Uri'{-.: 


l/<8.     ■    •,  ■    .    ■ 
I-  t'-  .■:,  .  >*     S 


.:     % 


.'•  li 


IJ 


lifei 


u^  ■:■ 


]:<%  ■ 


Isii 


TiFK  abortion  of  an  enijtma  which,  in 
1814,  as  the  Ilartfurd  Cunvention,  became 
execrable  and  contemptilde,  was  the  most 
alar'nin;^  occurrence  of  tiiat  year.  Like 
the  capture  of  Wi(shinp;toii,  its  reaction  on 
its  authors  was  terribly  disij;racefnl ;  lilce 
our  t'anadian  and  soutliern  victories,  it  invi- 
j;orated  the  American  Union,  liasteued  and 
ameliorated  peace,  and  t<>  tlie  Xew  Orleans 
triumphs,  its  ridiculous  catastrophe  ren- 
dered inevitable  by  them,  was  nuvinly  attri- 
butable. 

After  passing  a  nijrht  in  Auj^^ust,  1S09, 
oatchinj;  codfish  on  liis   favorite  Banks  of 
Newfoundland,    retiring    from    troulile    in 
Massaciiusotts  to  a  llnssian  mission,  John 
Quincy  Adams,   l)y  what   he  deemed   the 
natural  transition  from  codfisli  to  the  iiis- 
tory  of  tlio  United  States,  writin;^  eoncern- 
injT  the  allej^ed  treason  of  New  Kufiland,  to 
his  associate  informer  aga-nst  it,  William 
Plumer,  expressed   his   belief,  that    there 
would  be  no  impartial  chronicle,  no  true 
history  of  tlioir  tune,  in  their  age,  but  only 
federal   histories    or  republican   Jiistories. 
New  Enj^land   histi^ries  or  Virginian  Jiis- 
tories.    Yet,  if  not  developed  by  some  con- 
temporary annalist,  but    left  to    posterior 
speculation,   must  it   not   be  UKjre    theory 
and  fable?  less  historical,  piiilosophical  or 
veritable  than  the  narrative  of  even  a  bi- 
assed contemporary;  confessing,  as   I  do, 
tlio  difficulty  of  discovering,  a])preciating, 
or  telling  tiio  truth  of  that  abominated  con-  j 
clave,  wlioso  first  resolution  was,  that  their  ! 
meetings  should  l>o  op(>ned  by  prayer,  the  | 
next,  intensely  cabalistic,  that  the  most  in- ' 
violable  sccresy  should  be  observed  by  each  ; 
member  of  the   convention,  including  the  ' 
secretary,  as   ;     all   propositions,  debates  I 
and  proceedingb ;   and  the  tliird,  that  not 
even  the  doorkeep<u*,  messenger,  or  assist- 
atit  should  be  nuulo  acquainted  with  the 
proceedings.     Wrapped  in  such  dark  sus- 
picious seeresj',  of  which  the  seal,  if  ever 
broke,  was  not  pretended  to  be  opened  till 
several  ycsars  afterwards,  when  a  bare  jour- 
nal  was    unveiled    to    face  the  universal 
odium  by  that  time  fastened  on  the  con-  [ 
vention,  become  a  proverb   of   reproach, 
even   contemporaries  are   left  to  grope  in 
the  obscurity  of  mere  circumstantial  tcsti- , 


mony,  perplexed  by  contradictions  and  pre- 
judices, involving  tiie  design  whether 
merely  jiartisun  or  criminally  trcasonaldo. 
the  sectional  animosities  peculiar  to  New 
England  conllicting  with  each  other,  con- 
fronting and  confounding  prepossessions  of 
the  iH'st  of  the  I'tiited  States,  whose  na- 
tional character  and  existence  the  Hartford 
("onventi  )n  implii-eted.  Of  positive  proof 
of  treason,  so  seldouj  attainable  that  it  is 
not  to  be  expeetcd,  there  is  none.  JJut  Mr. 
Adams  insisted  on  the  fact,  overpowered 
l)y  denials,  though  supporttMl  liy  circum- 
stances. Posterity  has  acfjuitted  and  im- 
niortali/ed  many  Sydneys  executeil  for  trea- 
son, and  condemned  Ibirrs  ac(|uitted  of  th»,' 
charge.  Was  Burr  guilty  of  what  deffer- 
son  l)rought  him  to  trial  for,  and,  with  his 
killing  liamilton,  sentencc<l  to  irrevocable 
c(>ndemnati(.n,  like  the  Hartford  t'onven- 
tion,  without  conviction  of  any  oifencc  ? 
Adams  accused  Hamilton  of  complicity 
with  the  convention,  whose  prinmry  meet- 
ing at  Boston,  Ailams  believed,  was  post- 
poned liy  Burr's  killing  Hamilton,  without 
pi-eventing,  however,  its  final  catastrophe 
at  Hartford.  But  Adams  was  j)r(judicod 
iiy  hereditary  liatrcd  of  Hamilton,  and  his 
suspicious  crcdulitj-  was  as  un(|uestionablc 
as  his  v(>racity :  formidable  as  an  accuser, 
but  falliliK'  as  a  witness. 

Not  till  ten  years  after  the  moral  puldic 
executlrin  of  that  ill-futed  cabal,  aj»pearcd 
its  first  and  best  apology,  in  twelve  lett(,'rs, 
adilressrd  to  the  people  of  Massachusetts, 
by  Harrison  (Jray  Otis,  called  by  Mr.  Adams 
its  putative  father,  followed,  nine  years  later, 
by  a  history  of  the  convtmtion,  by  its  secre- 
tary, Theodore  Dwight,  who  may  bo  co»i- 
sidere<l  its  voluntary  exeiaitor  in  his  own 
wrong.  In  a  dull  work  of  more  than  four 
hundred  irksome  pages,  Dwight  attempted 
its  defence?  by  repeating  the  superannuated 
and  egi-egious  absurdities  id' Jefferson's  hos- 
tility to  the  Federal  Constitution  and  subser- 
viency to  France,  and  Madison's  subjection 
to  Jefferson,  as  caiises  and  excmses  of  the 
Hartford  Convention!  Witlnuit  method, 
scarcely  chronology,  and  with  tew  authentic 
docunnmts,  the  argument  of  that  ft  jble  at- 
tempt is,  that  a  score  of  New  England  law- 
yers, locked  up  in  claudestiuo  cabal,  foment- 


■  h  ' 


Chap.  X.] 


!•  luimlilo  fu- 
lly    ri,;i(((    ,„I; 

no('inl)(!i-,  var 
liu  lor  httvof 


INFAMY  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


217 


tifiiiH  and  pre- 
li^n  wliotlicr 
trciisoiiiihlo, 
uliiir  to  New 
li  iitlior,  con- 

XIWSCSMioU.S  of 

\vlir).so  im- 
tlic  Hartford 
loisitivo  proof 
l)lo  that  it  is 
!iit'.    JJiit  iMr. 
ovorpovvorcd 
I   liy  ciri'iun- 
tli'd  atnl  iin- 
•iitci'i  for  troti- 
i|nittiMl  of  tilt.' 
what  .)('fl['(>r- 
aiul,  with  his 
i>  irrovoeal)l<> 
ford  (Vuivcn- 
any   offence  ? 
)f   complicity 
rimary  moot- 
ed, was  post- 
ilton,  witiiout 
1  catastrophe 
IS  ))rcjudicod 
iton,  and  lii« 
n|ucstii)nahie 
s  an  accuser, 

moral  piil)lic 
l)al,  ai)pearcd 
welve  lottor?, 
assachusottH, 
y  Mr.  Adams 
10  years  later, 
))y  its  Hccro- 
may  bo  con- 
r  in  his  own 
iro  than  four 
ht  attempted 
perannuated 
iferson's  hos- 

nandsubsor- 
'h  sul)jection 
<uises  of  the 
>ut  method, 
bw  authentic 
lat  ft  3ble  at- 
Jnffhmd  huv- 
ibul,  foment- 


ing; tho  unnatural  and  unwiso  antipathies  I  to  tho  State  its  parent."     Mr.  Otis,  to  tiiis 
and  narrow  j)reJudi(!-,-<  of  an  eastern  party    edifviti^  confe-sNion,  adds,  "tliat  licreafter 


a<!;»inst  Hontliern  fellow-countrymen,  mas- 
nnudi  as  tiiey  were  \v(dl  reputed  as  lawyers, 
punctual  in  the  paynuMit  of  th(ur  delits  and 
performance  of  tlieir  reli^imis  exercises, 
therefore  could  ik  '  be  inimical  to  the  Ame- 
rican Union,  but  served  it  faithfully,  liy 
rcsistinj;  what  many  New  Kn;i;laii<l  acts  of 
authority,  with  almost  iiisan:;  dread,  de- 
nounced as  Jefterson  and  Madison's  coali- 
tion witli  Bonaparte  to  ovor<!omo  Great 
lliitain  and  onsliive  America,  tofjcther  with 
all  mankind.  Tinctured,  but  not  stultified, 
with  that  infatuation,  Mr.  Otis'  tvvtdve  let- 
ters to  the  jieoplo  of  Massachusetts,  pre- 
eediii}:!  l)\vi;i;ht's  history  nin(>  years,  even 
then  tardy  in  tlieir  appeariint(>,  art!  the 
elotiuent  and  best  defence  ut'  the  Jlartfonl 
Convention,  on  which   its  humbb'd  ajiolo- 


simibir  afsociations  for  ixjlitical  purposes 
will  be  inexpediei'.t,  unwise,  and  impulitic. 
Public  iipinioii,"  lie  says,  "  has  liecome  con- 
solidated in  disapproliation  of  such  cou- 
ventiiuis  for  political  objects."  It  is  a  prin- 
cii)le  conceded,  In;  thinks,  that  all  meetinf^w 
of  dele;!;ates  from  State  Le^islature8  to 
consult  on  political  objects  confided  to  tlio 
national  j!;overnment  are,  in  their  nature, 
inexpedic'it.  Such  invaluable  acknow- 
ledjrmem  wrun^f'om  the  conscience  of  one 
broujjht  to  the  confessional,  attests  tho  wis- 
doni  of  Wasliiii;;toii'H  farewtdl  advice  on 
imion.  Another,  and  more  celebrated  Mas- 
siu'husetts  r'cnator  went  sUll  further  than 
Jlr.  Otis  to  exculpate  himself  from  tho 
much  dreaded  sti;j;ina  of  bein;;  suspected 
of  the  established  iiifamv,  whether  well  or 


(;ists  must  chielly  rely  for  |i!iidoii.     With    ill    founded,  of  tlii>   Hartford   (Jonvention 


thi!    be;^iiiiiin}5 
presidency,   in 


of  i^lollroe'M  conciliatory 
Mirch  1817,  Mr.  Otis  wa's 
chosen  by  Massachusetts  to  the  Senate  of 
the  United  States  to  represent  her  de;i;rad- 
cd  natioutil  character,  diminished  inlliieiire, 
and  almost  repudiated  claims  for  militia 
services  in  the  war.  AV'itli  fine  talents, 
fascinatiu"!;  manners,  southoru  ]>redilec- 
tions,  and  f^roat  experience  in  lei;islation, 
he  b<jre  up,  diu-inn;  tome  time  of  tribulation, 
aj^ainst  the  disa(lvanta<i;es  besettlni;;  a  mem- 
ber of  tho  llartfo-d  Convention  in  Con- 
gress, till,  at  leufith,  unable  to  endure  such 
mortification  to  tho  end  of  his  term,  Mr. 
Otis  resij^nod  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  in  June 
1822,  to  bo  succeeded  by  ono  of  the  most 
acceptable  and  high-spirited  of  eastern  le- 


A'ot  only  in  th(!  Senate  did  Mr.  Wi-bster 
n>p(d  that  insinuation,  but  when  a  Ibiston 
j^eiitleniaii,  (d'  rcsiiectablo  family,  fortune, 
and  (diaracter,  and  of  the  federal  party, 
Mr.  Theodore  liynian,  published  there  Mr. 
Adams'  im]ieaclimeiit  td"  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention, and  connected  Mr.  AVebster'a 
name  with  it,  he  instantly  prosecuted  tho 
charge  as  a  libellous  calumny,  and  in  oi»eu 
court,  as  a  witness,  toBtilied  against  Mr. 
Lynian. 

Whatev('r  the  perhaps  inscrutalde  truth 
may  be,  the  salutary  a'.it'  certain  rosultH 
are' more  important  than  ascertaining  the 
fact  of  guilt  or  innocence.  A  secret  as- 
sembly of  State  representatives,  in  time  of 
war,  to  Huinteract  the  national  government, 


gislators,    tho   late    James    Lloyd.       Tho    incurs  punishment  more  severe  than    by 


twelve  letters  published  at  Boston  in  1824, 
were  thou  Mr.  Otis'a  testamentary  political 
disposition,  leaving  tho  on<!o  commanding 
State  of  Massachusetts  to  tho  mercy  of  the 
Union  in  wliich  he  deplores  its  annihila- 
tion, Mr.  Otis's  letters  being  called  forth  by 
(«o\ernor  Eustis,  the  Secretary  of  War  in 
1812,  in  his  firstpublic  address  as  Governor 
of  Massachusetts,  when  cbosen  to  that  place 
over  Mr.  Otis  as  his  competitor,  denouncing 
the  Hartford  Convention  as  a  danger  and 
dishonor  to  New  England. 

Mtmiorably  admonishing  are  his  confes- 
sions, that  the  "  history  of  human  credulity 
affords  no  example  of  a  more  general  illu- 
sion than  prevails  in  relation  to  tho  origin 
and  objects  of  the  Hartford  ConvtMition.  A 
deeji-rootod  and  innelinable  prejudice  is 
formed  aiMoni";  tliousands  whoso  distemper- 
ed inni|';;iialion8  resist  the  prescriptions  of 
truth  and  reason,  choose  to  believe  that  it 
was  organized  first  for  some  bad  purposiss, 
or  that  it  spontaneously  brooded  over  some 
atrocious  conspiracy,  heresy,  or  schism. 
The  rising  generation,"  ndil  his  precious 
compunctions,  "  must  1)0  taught  to  bebevo 
that  thT  convention  was  a  cabal  menacing 
tho  integrity  of  tho  Union,  and  disgraceful 


legal  [)r''>oeution.  Through  all  the  doubts 
anil  darkness  under  which  tho  Hartford 
Convntioii  i:)  doomed  to  Ho  buried,  pene- 
trates the  clear  and  cheeriiig  truth,  that 
American  love  of  union  is  a  national  oenti- 
ment  beyond  question,  which,  with  ovor- 
whelming  power,  consigns  to  infamy  those 
oven  susjiected  of  designing  its  destruction. 
Hamilton  anil  Jefferson,  before  that  power, 
laid  down,  tho  ono  his  fears  of  anarchy, 
the  other  of  monarchy,  at  Washington's 
feet,  in  obedience  to  the  Fee  oral  Constitu- 
tion, which  certainly  tho  two,  perhaps  all 
three,  doubted.  Burr's  unproved  conspi- 
racy and  the  urdetectod  Hartford  Conven- 
tion daily  d-'shonor  their  authovs,  while 
foreign  wars,  intestine  controversies,  acces- 
sions by  purchase  and  conquest  of  vast  ter- 
ritories, have  corroborated  a  union  becom- 
ing the  republican  empiro  of  nil  America, 
which  it  is  crimin.il  to  bo  suspected  of  a 
design  to  dismember. 

■lefferson's  election  to  the  presidency  in 
18U0,  and  purchase  of  Louisiana  from  Bo- 
naparte in  1803,  caused  unquestionably 
great  discontent  in  New  Engh'.nd.  During 
tho  long  and  eventful  session  of  Congress 
in  1803-4,  William  Plumcr,  a  sepator  from 


i?;'; 


«. 


V  , 

i*- 


^!r:. 


•V  ' 


*  i' : 


1^ 

! '*"'■■■     I 


lib,, 
ill 


m.-' 


218 


iTTv. 


'ii.  s. 


i:.  ■   ■  i 

\i 

'■ 

!: 

'm 

1' 

t 

I 


Now  Iliimpsliiro,  wna,  as  ho  nftorwanlH 
eiinf(!HS(>(l,  one  of  novernl  fodoriil  incmhcrs 
of  C(tnnr(\Ns  from  tlio  Ntnv  Eiij^laiid  Status 
wlu)  priiji'(!tPil  tlio  rstalilislinu'iit  of  a  Ncpa- 
rato  fjfovt'rnincnt  tliiM'o.  Tli(>v  coniplaintvl 
that  t  ho  Hlavc-lioldin;!;  States  hud  a('<|iiiri'(lliy 
nioaiisoftli('irshivt'sa;iroatorin(;ri>aH«'oftlu> 
shivclioldinj;  rcproscntativi's  in  tho  House 
of  lii'|>ri!S(Mitativ('s,  than  wasjust;  too  much 
revenue  was  raised  in  tho  Northern  States 
nnd  spent  in  tiie  Southern  and  Western ;  and 
tlie  states  to  ho  formed  out  of  Louisiana 
Would  anniliihitethc  influenco  of  the  North- 
ern States  in  tlie  government.  Mr.  I'hnnor 
was  informcid,  lie  said,  by  one  of  tho  par- 
ties to  tliis  project,  that  tliere  was  to  bo  a 
select  meeting  of  the  leading  Federalists  of 
New  Kiigland  at  lloston,  in  the  autumn  of 
1804,  to  consider  and  recommend  measures 
for  a  government  for  the  Northern  States, 
nnd  that  Alexander  Hamilton  had  consent- 
ed to  attond  it.  IJut  5Ir.  IMumer  found,  on 
liis  return  to  New  Hampshire,  n  great  ma- 
jority of  tho  leading  Fedciralists  there  op- 
posed to  tho  project,  as  avpoared  to  bo  the 
result  of  his  limited  inquiries  in  Massachu- 
setts, and  Hamilton's  death,  ho  says  he 
was  tohl,  prevented  tho  meeting  in  IJoston, 
though  the  yiroject  M'as  not  abamloned. 
Convinced  of  his  own  error,  Mr.  IMunier 
abandoned  it,  and  did  all  he  could  to  defeat 
the  attempt  when  he  avers  it  was  made 
during  the  restrictive  system  in  1H0;>,  and 
the  war  of  1812.  Such  is  the  positive  testi- 
mony, and  all  there  is  positive,  bv  a  rospoct- 
ablo  witness,  wl»o,  convinced  ol  his  error, 
informed  against  his  own  participation  in 
the  alleged  offence. 

The  design  of  dismemberment  thus  faintly 
and  briefly  breathe<l  in  1808,  sluml)crod,  Mr. 
Adams  said,  till  1807,  when  revived  by  the 
embargo  to  prevent  a  war,  which  it  provoked 
and  aggravated,  grievously  fomenting  the 
morbid  discontent  of  New  England.  A  letter 
from  the  Governor  of  Nova  vScotia,  never 
published,  whence  or  to  whom  addressed 
not  divulged,  but  shown  at  tlie  time,  Mr. 
Adams  said,  to  him  and  others,  just  before 
the  seizure  of  tho  frigate  Chesapeake, 
aroused  in  his  mind  almost  unnatural  fears 
of  treasonable  designs  in  Jlassachusetts, 
which  haunted  him  ever  afterwards,  as 
those  suspected  of  such  designs  thought 
with  as  little  reason  as  all  nuist  now  con- 
sider their  irrational  dread  of  French  inter- 
ference in  America,  a  fear  natural  to  Eng- 
lishmen, but  which  their  influence  suc- 
ceeded in  spreading  throughout  America. 
That  Mr.  Adams  was  not  in  1807  aware  of 
Mr.  Plumer's  avowals,  is  more  than  proba- 
ble, so  that  his  deciilod  movement,  begin- 
ning from  the  British  governor's  undivulged 
letter,  must  bo  ascribed  to  his  own  unfa- 
vorable improsisions  of  his  recent  i)arty  as- 
sociates. The  governor's  letter  alone  can 
hardly  account  for  what  Mr.  Adams  did. 
It  im2>ortod  that  the  liritish  government 


DESIGN  OF  DISUNION. 

— ♦— 


[1814. 


had  information  of  a  design  of  tho  Emperor 
of  the  French  to  invade  and  con<|uer  tho 
Hritish  American  provinces,  and  with  Mr. 
Jeflcrson's  instrumentality  bring  about  w;ir 
by  the  United  States  against  (Jreat  Hritain. 
'I'he  attack  of  tho  Chesapeake  by  tlu?  Leo- 
I)ard,  the  22d  June,  Jlritish  orders  in  coun- 
cil againr.t  neutral  connnerco  the  11th  No- 
vember to  retort  French  decrees  to  the  same 
purpose,  all  cfuinteraeted,  as  Jefl'erson  pre- 
ferred to  do,  by  his  pornuinent  embargo  of 
tho  22d  December,  of  that  same  year,  1807, 
annihilated  tho  commendal  means  of  the 
Unitad  States,  even  tho  coasting  trade,  and 
almost  tho  suljsistenco  of  Now  Fiugland, 
convulsed  tho  whole  American  nation,  and 
especially  embittered  the  alrea<iy  discon- 
tented and  always  intolerant  east.  Mr. 
Adams,  a  senator  of  tho  United  States, 
elected  by  tho  Federal  party  of  Massachu- 
setts, Imving  vehemently  opposed  JoffcT- 
son's  administration,  and  in<lecently  as- 
persed his  private  character,  introduced  by 
Wilson  Carey  Nicholas,  AVilliam  H.  Giles 
and  J(mathan  Robinson,  Democratic  mem- 
\)v.rti  of  Congress,  waited  on  President  Jef- 
ferson, at  Washington,  tho  15th  March, 
1808,  and  conlidentially  informed  him  that 
a  dangerous  spirit  was  abroad  in  the  State 
Mr.  Ailams  represented.  That  decisive 
step  was  soon  followed  by  his  resignation 
from  the  Senate  in  May,  1808,  estrangement 
from  and  denunciation  by  tho  Federal  jiartv, 
anil  his  taking  office  soon  after  from  Madi- 
son, who  succeeded  Jefferson  in  tho  presi- 
dency in  March,  1800. 

Mr.  Adams'  fears  of  treason  by  impul- 
sive feelings  must  have  been  wrought  to  a 
great  excitement,  for  in  the  fidlowing  win- 
ter, in  answer  from  tiuincy  to  letters  from 
William  B.  Giles,  and  other  Democratic 
members  of  Congress,  he  earnestly  recom- 
mended repeal  of  tho  embargo,  and  substi- 
tution of  acts  of  non-intorcourse,  because,  he 
averred,  continuance  of  the  embargo  would 
certainly  be  mot  by  forciljle  resistance,  sup- 
ported I)}'  tiic  logislatui'o  and  proliably  the 
judiciary  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts.  To 
quell  that  resistance,  if  force  should  be  re- 
sorted to  by  the  government,  it  would  pro- 
duce a  civil  war,  and  in  tliat  event  Mr. 
Adams  hail  no  doubt  the  loaders  of  the 
party  wouM  secure  the  co-operation,  with 
the  aid  of  Great  Britain.  Their  object 
was,  ho  averred,  and  had  been  for  several 
years,  "a  dissolution  of  the  Union  and  the 
estaljlishment  of  a  separate  confederation, 
which  he  affirmed  that  he  kne\-  from  une- 
quivocal evidence,  although  not  provable 
in  a  court  of  law,  and  in  the  case  of  civil 
war  the  aid  of  Great  Britain  to  effect  that 
purpose,  would  bo  as  surely  resorted  to  as 
it  would  be  indispensably  necessary  to  the 
design."  Accusaticm  of  disunion  by  civil 
war  and  an  eastern  confederacy,  united  with 
England,  were  Mr.  Adams'  valedictory  to 
New  England,  when  he  wont  abroad.   "  Tho 


[1814. 

f  thoEniporor 

I  (•i)ii(|ii('r  the 
tini!  with  Mr. 
in;;iilHiiit  ^viir 
•  rent  llritnin. 
«  hy  tlic  Lco- 
iMlcr.s  ill  conn. 

th.'  11th  Ni). 
OM  to  the  Nuiiio 
J('fri'r,>({)n  pro- 
it  oinharco  of 
leyoar,  IHOT, 
[iiPtinH  of  tho 
n<j  tni(l(«,  nnd 
<!W  Kiijfliiinl, 

II  imtioii,  niul 
•oady  (llHcnn- 
t  Pn^t.  Mr. 
nitt'd  States, 
f  Massnchu- 

lOSPll     JofftT- 

iilooontly  as- 
ntrothicod  I>y 
lain  U.  (Jiles 
ocratie  mom- 
resident  Jef- 
15th  March, 
led  him  that 
in  the  State 
hat  (h'cisive 
1  resignation 
stranpfenient 
'ederal)iartv, 
r  frnni  Matli- 
in  tlio  prcsi- 

n  liy  iinpul- 
(vronglit  to  a 
Uowiiijj;  win- 
letters  from 
Democratic 
lestly  recom- 
,  and  substi- 
',  because,  he 
barp)  -would 
istaneo,  siip- 
iirobably  the 
•husetts.  To 
Iiould  bo  re- 
t  would  pro- 
t  event  Mr. 
.ders  of  tlic 
ration,  with 
'heir  oljject 
for  several 
lion  and  the 
n  federation, 
I"  from  uno- 
ot  provable 
;ase  of  civil 
)  effect  that 
sorted  to  a8 
■(fiary  to  the 
ion  by  civil 
unitt'd  with 
ledictory  to 
•oad.   "Tho 


Chap.  X.] 


JOHN  IIKNRY. 


219 


interposition  of  a  kind  Providence  restorin;^ 
ptMii'c  to  our  country  and  tlie  world,  averted 
the  most  depiorabh(  of  catastrophes,  and 
tuniinij;  to  the  receptai'le  »['  thitif^s  hist  upon 
eurtli,  the  adjourned  convention  from  Hart- 
ford to  Uostoii  extingiiishe(|  (bv  tlie  mercy 
of  Heaven  may  itbe  forever!)  tlie  iirojected 
Aew  Mnfihind  cnnrederacy," — sued  was  his 
farewell  and  solemn  testament. 

In  Augnst  of  tliat  year,  Mr.  Adams  em- 
barked for  his  Russian  mission,  leavinj^his 
testamentary  curse  on  thosi*  he  iinathema- 
ti/ed  as  certain  leading  Federalists  of  Mas- 
sachusetts ;  ami  threi!  successive  Virginia 
presidents,  ,)etlerson,  Madison  and  Monroe, 
with  their  political  adherents,  with  a  large 
majority  of  the  American  peojde,  fully  im- 
pressed witli  his  own  bitter  belief,  which 
might  bo  mere  (irodiility,  that  treason  was 
rile  in  his  native  state,  where,  undoubtedly 
as  he  long  after  with  truth  affirme<l,  "  the 
people  were  constantly  instigated  to  resist- 
ance against  the  emitargo,  juries  ac(|uitted 
vii>lations  of  it,  on  the  ground  of  its  uncon- 
stitutionality, assumed  in  tho  face  of  a  so- 
lemn decision  of  tiit»  i'ederal  court,  a  sejiii- 
ration  of  the  Union  was  openly  stimulated 
in  the  )>u!illc  prints,  and  a  convention  of 
delegates  of  the  N'ew  Knglaud  States, to  meet 
at  New  Haven,  was  inttuided  ami  proposed." 
It  is  due  to  Mr.  Adani.s  to  add  that  other 
respectable  gentlemen  of  New  Kngland 
now  coincltle  in  his  belief  that  tliere  was 
treason  in  tlw;  Hartford  Convention.  The 
Nova  Scotia  governor's  letter  of  18(17,  was 
soon  followed  by  Sir  James  H.  Craig's,  the 
Govornor-(ienoralof  Canatla,  vile  attenmton 
New  England,  lly  his  authority,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1809,  an  idler  at  Montreal,  English  or 
Irish  by  birth,  probably  naturalized  as  an 
American,  who  had  been  a  captain  in  the 
army  raised  by  President  John  Adams  for 
a  war  with  France,  a  well  favored  man,  with 
plausible  address,  not  wanting  in  courteous 
behavior,  named  John  Henry,  who,  from  his 
whole  instrumentality  in  the  affair,  must 
have  been  a  sordid,  worthless,  low-bred  fel- 
low, was  clandestinely  sent  with  a  cipher 
and  other  disguises,  from  Quebec  through 
Vermont  and  New  Hampshire  to  Boston, 
where  ho  remained  till  June,  when  Presi- 
dent Madison's  pacific  arrangement  with 
the  British  minister  Erskino,  dissipated  all 
immediate  fears  of  a  rupture  between  the 
United  Stiites  and  England,  and  constrained 
Henry  to  return  to  Quebec  without  having, 
as  his  letters  state,  accomplished  anything, 
or  been  encouraged  oven  to  disclose  his  cre- 
dentials to  any  of  the  traitors  he  was  to 
find  or  to  make  in  New  England.  His  cor- 
respondence, according  to  President  Madi- 
son's message  of  March  1),  T812,  communi- 
cating it  to  Congress,  affirms  the  guilt  of  not 
only  tho  colonial  Governor  Craig,  but  that 
of  Lord  Liverpool,  the  prime  minister,  and 
Ilol)ert  Peel,  the  secretary  of  the  British 
government,  during  peace  and  pending  ne- 


gotiations with  the  I'nited  States,  by  foment- 
ing disalfcction  and  intriiioes  for  resistance 
to  the  laws,  in  concert  with  a  |{riti>li  force 
to  destroy  the  I'liion,  and  form  the  eastern 
part  ul'  It  into  a  political  coiniccfioti  with 
Great  IJi'itain.    hlsgiistingiis  tliut  d<'t"i'tion 
of  a  Kritish  noltleman,  the  miiiisteri:il  head 
of  Eiigliiml,  and  his  surpassing  successor, 
then  secretary  of  the  ministry,  conspiring 
to  undermine  the  American  I'liion  by  civil 
war,  should  be,  the  guilt  of  whatever  Fede- 
ral leadiTS  Henry  ilcalt  with,  is  not  so  ap- 
rarent  as  that  of  his  English  ciuistituentc. 
'ndoubfedly  Henry  contemplateij  some  trea- 
sonalde  transaction,  like  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention.    "Should  Congress,"  luMvroto  to 
his  employers,  "venture  to  declare  war,  tho 
legislature  of  Massachusetts  M'oubl  give  tho 
tone  to  the  neighlioring  States,  and  invito  a 
congress  to  be  composed  of  delegates  from 
the  fiMlcral  States,  and  erect  a  separate!  go- 
vernment for  tlic'r  common  defence ;  in  a 
condition  to  make  or  receiver  proposals  from 
(treat  Britain,  when  scarce  any  other  aid 
would  )>e  necessary  than  a  few  vessels  of 
war  from  the  Halifax  station  to  protect  tl'O 
maritime    towns  from    the  little  Annuicnn 
navy.     He  was  careful,"  he  said,  "not  to 
'.  make  an  impression  analogous  to  the  cn- 
!  thusiastic  confidence  of  the  opposition,  nor 
,  tlie  hopes  and  expectations  that  animate  tlie 
friends  of  an  alliance  between  the  Northern 
I  States  an<l  Great  Britain."   Sucli  and  otiier 
I  equally  derogatory  proof  of  his  belief  in 
j  treasonable   disaffection    is  the    tissue    of 
Henry's  correspondence;  likeMr.  Otis'svin- 
;  dication,  pregnant  with  precious  and  con- 
clusive evi<lence  that,  whatever  a  few  lead- 
ing Federalists  may  have  been,  those  that 
spy  miscalled  the  rabble,  tho  giddy  multi- 
tude, wore  inflexible  national  republican 
Americans.     'The  opposition  party,"  say 
his  letters,  "  do  not  freely  entertain  tlie  pro- 
ject of  withdrawing  tho  Eastern  States  from 
the  Vnvm,  finding  it  a  very  tinpomtlar  tojric. 
The  tnit/i  in,  the  common  people  linvc  so  loufj 
regarded  the    Constitution    of  the    United 
I  States  ti'itli  comptacency,  that  they  are  now 
]  only  disposed  to  treat  it  like  a  truant  mis- 
tress,  wliom  they  would  for  a  time  put 
I  away  on  a  separate  maintenance,  but,  with- 
I  out  further  or  greater  provocation,  not  abso- 
i  lutoly  repudiate."  What  Mr.  Otis,  with  elo- 
quent horror,  nine  years  after,  recollected 
j  as  the  appalling  cry,  raised  to  what  he  calls 
I  the  yell,  that  the  Union  wr  i  in  danger,  rent 
;  tho  eastern  welkin,  as  he  complains,  and 
confounded  its  sages  with  popular  proof, 
that  if  restless,  ambitious,  selfish,  avari- 
cious, speculating  leaders  machinated  the 
dismemberment    of    Massachusetts    from 
the  American  Union,  her  honest  yeomen 
and  common  people  stood  immovably  fast 
and  true  t<i  it  with  all  tho  States,  in  all 
their  immensity  and   diversity,  bond  and 
free  :  French,  Spanish,  and  English,  Catho- 
lic aud  Puritan — Louisiana  and  Now  Eng- 


v 

iV 


*i  ■ 

h 

i' 

« 

<.  • 

> 

I. 

*< 


.'.••1  ■ 


f 


it:', 


W 


ilt'r ' 

1  -;  ■ 
■'■if:  I 

1^ 


■t 


220 


PUnOIIASE  OP  LOUISIANA. 


t;i 


111 


[m\. 


liimi,  titt' wlidlo  riiiou  one  nml  in<liviMiM(>:  |  lirst  to  rdriunfiico  nftccn  vciirH  after  tl 


tl 


i(*   \iiU'n    II 


f  tlu 


10 


(Jiiil  itrorluiiiiiiiji;  tliiit  iiltoction 


•|ilo  WHS   tlie  voiiu  lit' cxtliniipi    III'    tho    riUiliriitiiiiiH.     Wy   (hut 


)iiirr)iaHt>,  iiiii'xiiiiiiili'il  ill  (liu  ii      ^iriiriuiiM 


A   wi'll-ilrt'ssi'il,  wi'll-m!»nniTiM|  comitcr- '  iliiiliii^-H  ol'  Imr;;:!!!!   ami  calc,  uiid 


IIH'lllii- 


fuit  Kn^rlish  ^;i'iitli'iniin,  like  lii'iirv,  paHsi'il  ralile    wn    'in    explnit   of   ili|)liiiiiai\v.    uliat 

ciiri'i'iil  tor  iiiiii'e  than  hin  wurth  anion;;  nn-  wunM  have  coMt  more  to  enniiner  than  the 

«lerhreil,  well   to  ili>,  Miliar  Americans,  nli-  (iiiteil  Stai^M  eonlil  alVoril  if  eitlier  treasure 

80(|uiiinN  tl)  Kn;rlish  (ashiitn.     The  Kn<i;lisli  nr  lilond,  it' i.  cunlil   liavt*  heen  i'iini|werei| 

cnnNiil  at  liustnn,  nlien  llenrv  was  there,  at  all,  was  ul  taineil  fur  luit  nunii  nMire  thun 

like  a  Knssian  riiiiHui,  in  iHl'J,  was  a  jiei*-  tiu'  jirivnte  fortunes  of  two  lisin^;  American 

B<)na;j;i» ;  ami  nniy  have  tiattered    HenryV  merchants,  l-ike  all  aci|nisitions,  it  reijnir- 

hojicH  of  American   (li8att'ection.      llenrv,  oil  more.    The  I'nited  States,  whose  iieoiile 

with   his   ill-j;ot    wealth,  the  lar;;est  liriiie  have  ilisjiossoNsed  the  ori;;inal  nonmiiic  in- 

ovor  jiaiil  liy  onr  government,  tied  to  Ku-  haliitants  of  the  Anwrican  soil,  have,  t^ver 

rope;  whither  the  Federal  l{e|inl)liean  news-  since  ll^O.'l,  heen  addinj;  more  territory  to 

l)aiior  puhlislu'd  that  ho  went  reeummended  cover  and  secure  the  aci|uisitiou  of  I.o.iis 

ly  letter.s  of  introdnction   from   President  iana,  unexpected  and  vast  lieyoml  oah  iila- 


Atail 


son,  amon;r  others,  to  his  minister  in    tion,    hi;;   with  emliryi   (ill'sprint;  of  new 


Ilussia.       If    so,    iMr.    iVdams    may    have  ;  States,  whose  numlier,  growth  nnd  wealth 
made  Henry  welconto  anion;;  the  palaces  of  I  rapidly    transcended    .leiFerson's    and    all 


St.  I'otersbur;;  as  a  witness  of  the  treason  1  other    human    foresi 


of  New  hin;;land. 

In  IT'.l'.t,  the  American  minister  in  Kn;;- 
lanil,  llufus  Kin;;,  little  dreamed  that  in 
ton  years  the  IJritish  ;;ovornment  would 
cause  its  provincial  >;overnors  of  ,\ova  Sco- 
tia and  Camilla  to  undertako  to  separate 
Mr.  Kin,!;'«  native  State  from  the  rest  of 
the  Union,  to  which  heliound  it  hy  a  consti- 
tution. After,  in  1H(»2,  durin;;  tdo  tempo- 
ravv  ])oace  between  IOn;;land  and  Franco, 
visitin;;  Paris,  Mr.  Kini;,  in  ISO,},  re- 
turned to  Anierien,  and  bron;;ht  homo  the 
first  news  of  the  p;reat  American  purchase 
from  Franco  of  Louisiana,  and  of  war  re- 
newed between  England  and  Franco.  Ne- 
cotiations  for  the  former  were  completed 
by  three  separate  treaties,  Hip;m;il  the 
tenth  day  of  the  Floreal,  or  flowery  month, 
in  the  eleventh  yOav  of  the  Froncli  Repub- 
lic, ;iil  of  April,  1803,  by  Marbois,  who 
married,  while  Secretary  of  the  French  le- 
gation at  Philadelphia,  the  American  wife, 
whoso  dau;;liter  became  the  Fmperor  Na- 
poleon's I>ucIieHH  of  Placentia,  and  whose 
father's  History  of  Louisiana  discloses  the 
First  Consul's  anti-English  inducement  to 
fiell  that  rich  possession  to  the  Unitod 
States  rather  than  let  it  bo  subJueil  by 
England.     The  First  Consul  of  the  French 


iVcknowlcdgin;; 


that  the  incorporation  of  foreiju-n  territory 
with  the  iiri''inal  United  States,  is  not  or 


vided  for  by  their  constitution.  President 
.letl'erMiii,  supported  successively  by  Presi- 
dents Madison,  Moiiro(>,  and  floiin  (juincy 
Adams,  nevertheless  took  that  boundless 
possession  into  ti'rritorial  occupation  in 
\Wi,  and  President  Madison  part  of  it  as 
Louisiana  in  lHl'2  into  the  condition  of  a 
State,  by  force  of  the  overruling  necessity 
which,  knowing  no  law,  organizes  and  de- 
stroys empires.  The  United  States,  with- 
out constitutional  power  to  aeijuire  territory, 
cither  b^;  purchase  or  conquest,  have,  by 
the  laws  of  necessity  nnd  jirogress,  ab- 
sorbed more  than  their  original  dominions. 
By  that  great  stretch  of  unconstitutional 
power,  like  the  permanent  embargo  and 
other  acts  of  his  administration,  with  vigor 
beyond  law  to  preserve  peace,  Jefl'erson 
reached,  b?!foro  his  re-election  in  I8(t4,  the 
summit  of  popular  potentiality,  casting  his 
opponents  into  a  hel]tless  minority.  The 
most  strenuous  of  them,  the  Eastern  peo- 
ple, mortified  and  provoked,  taught  by 
no  irrational  casuistry  that  obedience  is 
nov  duo  to  unconstitutional  acts  of  govern- 
ment, diminishing  the  national  influeuco 
of  A'ow  England,  undermining  its  ascond- 


Bepublic,  says  the  preamble  of  the  firht  o*"  ency,  .ral  with  their  own  contentious  eo- 


the  three  treaties  of  cession,  "  desirons  to 
give  the  United  States  a  strong  proof  of  his 
friendship,"  coded  to  thom  the  colony  or 
province  of  Louisiana;  for  which,  by  the 
eecond  treaty,  the  government  of  the  United 
States  engaged  to  pay  tho  French  govern- 
ment sixty  millions  of  francs  in  a  stock  of 
i.loven  'iiillioiis  two  hundred  and  fifty 
thousan  \  dollars,  the  dollar  estimated  at 
five  livri «  eight  sous  tournois,  bearing  in- 
terest at  six  per  cent,,  payable  half  yearly 
at  London,  Amsterdam  or  Paris,  at  the 
option  of  the  French  government,  the  prin- 
cipal to  be  reimbursed  at  the  United  States 
Treasury  jn  annual  payments  of  not  less 
(baa  three  millious  of  dollars  each,  tho 


operation  destroying  it,  meditated  schcmce 
of  desperate  relief. 

Louisiana  was  the  disputed  ground  on 
which  they  raised  plans  of  disunion,  hy 
civil  war,  if  not  alliance  with  Great  Britain, 
against  the  rest  of  the  Union:  plans  which 
Now  York,  Pennsylvania,  Louisiana,  and 
peace  prevented.  The  most  extraordinary 
man  of  Now  England,  tho  only  American 
with  talents,  good  fortune  and  indefatigable 
labor  enough  to  succeed  his  father  in  the 
Presidency,  bred  mostly  In  Europe,  where 
long  residence  confirmed  youthful  [»rediloc- 
tions,  few  of  whoso  American  sentiments 
could  be  imbibed  in  New  England,  where 
little  of  his  life  was  spout,  while  a  Senator 


ciirH  liftri'  (Iio 
•IlH.  Ily  llmt 
0  i>        jliiriiiiis 

ll',    Mini     llll'lllli- 

iiiiiacy,  nimt 
i|iii-r  lliiiri  tlio 
(•itlii'r  trriisiiic 
I'll  coiiiiiicrcil 
iicli  ipori'  tliiiii 
;iii;^  Amcriciiii 
inns,  it  rfi|uii-- 

wli(is(>  )MM)|p|e 
ll  noiiiailit!  III- 
uiil,  liiivo,  (\\(>x 
P(i  tcnitory  to 
tiiiii  (if  fiii.iis 
i\y(iiiil  oiilitilii- 
|iriiti;  (if  new 
til  nnd  wciiltli 
•  Ill's    mill    all 

•klKiwiciljiili;;; 

•ij;ii  territory 
I's,  is  not  iirn- 
ion,  I'rcsiilt'iit 
vcly  l.y  I'lTsi- 

.Iiiliii  (^uincy 

Itlt    )llMllull(>SS 

ociupiitiiiii  in 
part  of  it  as 
onditioii  (if  a 
liii;^  iicrosnity 
iii/.os  iinil  tlo- 
Stiitcs,  with- 
(uiro  territory, 
Host,  liavi',  liy 
proj^reHH,  ab- 
iiil  cloininionH. 
uonstitutionul 
embargo  nnil 
on,  witli  vigor 
iit!o,  JofVcrMon 
n  in  1804,  the 
ty,  cnntiiig  IiIh 
inority.  The 
Eiistorn  pco- 
1,  tauglit  by 
obeilicnco  is 
:;t8  of  govern- 
nal  infiucuoo 
ig  its  asiiend- 
•ntentiouH  co- 
;ated  sehoiuce 

d  ground  on 
disunion,  by 
Jreat  Britain, 
;  plans  which 
>ui8iana,  and 
extraordinary 
ily  American 
indefatigable 
father  in  the 
urope,  where 
hful  predilec- 
a  sentiments 
{jland,  where 
lilo  a  Senator 


Chap.  X.]  MKKTINO  AT  BOSTON.  221 

-   ♦ — 
from  MiiHHiu'liiisottR  fi'prosonting  in  Cnn-' suadc  the  parties  coni'iTni'd  from  tli"  undor- 
gri"<s,lhe  nn.^iriest  Kiistcrn  discontent,  •lobii '  taking,  and  tn  |irevail  on  tliem  tn  aluiiuloti 
tiuiiicy  Adiims.  the  i,  -pi.rniliie  aiitlmr,  ac-    it. 

cu'<i'd  New  Kiinl  iiid  of  Ipii  lin.r  tiiat  ciiiiker  '  As  soon  as  the  iissoeiMtesnf  I'riiih  'I' racy 
at  the  runt  iif  till'  American  I  Mioii,  whii-h  in  the  Cnngress  of  |M).'!-I,  >vcre  made  ac- 
corroiled  liM  it  cniiMil-i'd  the  natinnal  i|iiiiiiited  with  this  charge  in  IM!'.),  JamcH 
trunk,  but  -Mppeared  m  the  vii  torious  llillhitiise,  .Inliii  haveiiport,  .Jnhn  Cotton 
paciticatimi,  wliieh,  from  Louisiiini  and  Smith,  Simeon  rialduin,  Itcnjaniin  Tall- 
(iliciit,  providcntiallv  met  at  Wasliiii;^ton    inadge  and  Calvin  (!oddii"il,  with  a  relative 


to  bind  the  most  disttint  parts  of  the  Cnitcd 
Slates    together   ill  one  great  continental 
fordialitv.     After  serving  a  Hrst  term   in 
tlio  Presidency,  when  anxiously  struggling 
for   another,  liis    first    jmblic   aitjiearancc 
after  the  loss  of  it  was  in  a  letter  the  (ith 
Mardi   IK'JD,   in    all    the    responsibility  of 
his  (diaracter  and  position,  defying  iMstern 
Hyiiipatliics  of  which  he  then  stood  in  iummI. 
That  provocation  was  rendered  indispensa- 
ble by  a  prior  piildic  apjieal  in  Octolier  !81!H, 
whi'ii,  as  the  candidate  for  r(>-eliM!tion,  Mr. 
Adams  proclaimed  that,  during  the  session 
of   Congress    following    the    piindiase    of 
Louisiana,  in  the    spring  of  iSOl,  he  was 
informed    by  Uriah    Tra«!y,  then    Senator 
from  Connecticut,  or  another   member  of 
Congress,  or  both,  fur  Mr.  Adams  was  not 
Hure  whether  on(>  or  both,  but  ontcrtained 
no  doubt  of  biding  told  by  one  or  both  of 
them — both  d(^ad  before  ho  publislicd  the 
information — of    a    project   by  Federalist 
members  of  Congress  from  New  Knghvnd, 
to  establish  a  sciiarate  government  there, 
extending  it,  if  round    practicable,  as  far 
south  as  to  include  Pennsylvania,  but  at 
all  events  to  establish  one  in  New  Kngland. 
William  I'lumer,  then  a  Senator  from  New 
Hampshire,  of  which  State  he  was  after- 
wards governor,  had  written  to  Mr.  Adams 
in  182H,  (it  does  not  appear  by  either  of 
their  statements,  whether  Mr.  Phimor  com- 
municated this  to  Mr.  Adams  in  1803-4,  or 
at  any  time  before  Mr.  Adams'  presidency 
in  18128,)  that  he  was   party  to  the    New 
England  project  of  disunion;  that  he  was 
informed  by  one  of  the  parties  to  it,  during 
the  session  of  Congress  of  l8(t3-4,  that  ar- 
rangements had    been    made  for  a  select 
meeting  of  the  Federalists  of  New  Fiiigland, 
the  next  autumn  at  Ihiston,  to  consider  and 
recoinnieiid  the  measures  necessary  to  form 
a  systi'm  ol'  government  in  the  Northern 
States,  and    that    Alexander  Hamilton   of 
New  York  had  consented  to  attend  the  meet- 
ing. In  New  York  on  the  close  of  that  session 
of  Congress,  about  the  7th  April  1804,  Rufus 
King,  who  also  was  dead  before  Mr.  Adams 
published   it,  informed   him,    ftlr.   Adams 
said,  that  a  jierson  had  been  that  day  con- 
M  I-  iiig  with  him  and  with  Oeneral  llamil- 
,  aN  ^ll'     Vilams  said  ho  undcrstooil  Mr. 
King,  in  I'.i     irof  the  project,  which  both  Mr. 
King,  and    is  he  told  Mr.  Adams,  (Icneral 
Hianlltuu.    ntirely  disapproved.  While  Mr. 
Adams,  therefore,  believed  that  Hamilton 
consented  to  attend  the  Hoston  iiicctiiig,  ho 


sjii  liking  for  Ifriali  Tracy  n. 'ceased,  all  men 
of  character,  as  respectable  as  Mr.  Adams, 
]ierciiiptorilv  and  iiiiei|uivocally  denied  hia 
assertion,  disproving,  as  far  as  a  negative 
can,  the  positive  imputation.  William 
I'lumer,  a  Senator  from  New  Hampshire  in 
l80.'{-4,  and  afterwards  govi^rnor  of  that 
State  in  1828,  informed  Mr.  Adams,  that 
IMiiiner  participated  in  l8(i;i-4,  in  the  project 
of  disunion,  for  which  the  primary  meeting 
at  Huston,  in  the  autumn  of  I8(i4,  was  pre- 
vented by  Hamilton's  death  in  •luiicof  that 
year,  as  Mr.  IMiimer  was  told  at  Washing- 
ton during'  the  subsei|uent  session  id'  Con- 
gress, 1804-.'),  by  one  of  his  fidlow  conspira- 
tors; but,  that  the  arrangements  for  a 
iiK'cting  there  to  consider  and  reconsider 
the  measures  necessary  to  form  a  system  of 
governin  nt  for  the  Northern  States  so  far 
as,  if  practicable,  to  include  I'ennsylvanla, 
thougli  interrupted  by  Hamilton's  diuith, 
were  not  at  an  end ;  that  the  project  was 
not  and  would  not  be  abandoned.  When, 
therefore,  as  he  stated  in  1828  to  President 
Adams,  the  project  was  revived  in  1808-9, 
during  the  embargo  and  non-intercourso, 
and  afterwards  during  the  war  of  1812,  Mr. 
Plumor  used,  he  says,  every  effort  in  his 
power,  bot'ii  privately  and  pulilicly.  to  defeat 
the  attitmpt  then  made  to  establish  a 
separate  ind(>pendent  government  in  tho 
Northern  States. 

Thus  from  one  credible  confession,  sup- 
ported by  imposing  accusation,  predica- 
ting another  confession,  that  of  Pliimcr 
unequivocal,  that  of  Tracy  only  averred 
by  Adams,  after  Tracy's  death,  came  what 
he  positively  and  uniformly  to  the  last 
declared,  proved  the  origin  of  the  Hart- 
ford Convention.  Notwithstanding  Mr. 
Adams'  hereditary  hatred  of  Hamilton, 
whom  with  Timothy  Pickering,  Fislier 
Ames,  and  other  Federalists,  he  charged 
with  the  defeat  of  his  father's  re-election, 
and  publicly  acquitted  Hamilton  of  partici- 
pation in  the  scheme  of  disunion;  he  .till, 
when  President,  harbored  suspicions  of 
Hamilton;  disclosed.  Adams  thought,  by 
that  jiaragraph  of  Hamilton's  mortuary  in 
Juno  1804,  before  his  fatal  duel,  mentioning, 
among  reasons  for  avoiding  it.  his  ability 
to  be  useful  in  future,  whether  in  resisting 

'"our 
» 


misidiief  or  doing  good  '"  in  the  cc/.vo 
public  affairs  w/iir/i  urcm  Ithl;/  to  liiij 
Connected  with  Plumer's  assertion 
he  was  told,  the  winter  after  Ham  i  I  ( i  •■ 
that  his  death  had  postponed,  bii' 


uldu  believed  that  his  purpose  was  to  dis- j  an  end   to,  tho   project   of  di  iniu'n 


;hat 

fall, 

t  put 

Mr. 


> 


''I.   I 


•v     I 


il 


222 


CONCLUSIONS. 


[1814. 


li 


.i'^lil 

m 

ii; 

m 

^ 

) 

■•■    .             >  '  ■ 

1 

t' 

'■ '■  ■  , 

r 

Adams  was  believed  to  suspect  that  General 
Ilainiltun  was  the  military  leader  dosijfnated 
for  the  mirtlierii  confederacy,  of  wliich  no 
meeting  took  place  till  that  at  Hartford 
in  ISI-I.  Mr.  AduuiM'  posterior  belief, 
not  made  puljlic  till  the  misleading  con- 
juncture of  his  presidential  re-election,  may 
be  attributable  to  his  first  atcusation  ten 
years  Ijcfore,  when,  in  1«S08,  by  conti- 
dential  letters  from  Massachtisetts  to  Wil- 
liam B.  (iiles  and  other  D(>mocratic  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  he  urged  repeal  of  the 
embargo  on  Jefferson,  who  yielded  it  be- 
cause Adams  declared  that  it  would  cer- 
tainly be  met  bj'  forcible  resistance,  civil 
war  and  co-operation  with  Great  Britain. 

Yet  his  denunciation  of  Eastern  ti'cason, 
m  1807-8,  was,  soon  after  he  went  to  Eu- 
rope, confirmed  by  Henry's  disclosure,  in 
1812,  of  at  least  l^nglish  machinations  in 
1809,  to  prevail  on  the  morbid  discontent  of 
New  England,  from  all  the  pores  of  public 
indignation  constantly  perspiring  with  such 
violence  as  to  yiroduco  natural  conviction  of 
distemper.     AVhen,  therefore,  Henry  i)rof- 


reniaining  $1000,  to  oko  out  the  sum  total 
of  the  bribe,  perhaps  nmde  up  elsewhere. 

Whether  wise  or  prudent  to  preface  the 
declaration  of  war  with  that  blasting  aceu- 
sation  of  part  of  New  England,  to  provoke 
opposition,  when  general,  and  if  possible 
universal,  sup]iort  was  so  desiralile,  it  may 
be  aflirmed  from  the  circumstances  thus  far 
considered — 

1.  That  the  acquisition  of  Louisiana 
caused  a  design  in  the  east  to  disui^niber 
the  Union. 

2.  But  that  it  never  was  executed  by  any 
overt  act  of  treason,  however  intemperate 
the  violence  of  the  press,  the  opi)osition  of 
the  bar  and  State  judiciary,  the  virulence 
of  the  pulpit,  and  the  unconstitutional  rc- 
sistan(!e  of  State  government. 

3.  That  the  great  mass  of  the  people  wore 
inflexibly  opposed  to  <lisunion,  and  resolved 
to  maintain  the  national  government,  not- 
withstanding their  aversion  to  the  federal 
administration. 

4.  That  the  Britisli  government  frequent- 
ly, if  not  continually.  In  bored  to  sei)aratc 


fered  bis  tale  for  a  bribe,  Madison's  admi-   the  United  States.  Of  their  guilt  there  could 
nistration,  consisting  of  Monroe,  Paul  Ham-   be  no  d(uibt. 


ilton  and  Pinkney — Monroe  and  Pinkney 
with  European  proneness  to  suspicion  of 
European  government  —  all  with  southern 
opinivins  of  eastern  people,  eagerly  caught 
at  the  disclosure,  at  any  jirice,  and  coun- 
selled the  importance  of  its  solemn  publi- 
city. The  only  eastern  member  of  that 
cabinet,  ICtistis,  who  had  represented  Boston 
in  Congress,  ten  years  afterwards,  when 
elected  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  flung 
in  the  face  of  Massachusetts,  in  his  first 
communication  to  the  legislature,  his  set- 
tled conviction  at  all  times,  in  1814,  and 
in  1824,  that  "  at  the  portentous  crisis  when 
our  lil)erties  and  independence  were  at  haz- 
ard, an  unhallowed  spirit  of  party  was  per- 
mitted to  prevail  over  the  vital  interests  of ;  tion,  defended  by  its  most  conspicuous 
the  country,  an  unautliori/ed  combination  member,  Mr.  Otis,  as  a  patriotic  council  of 
was  formed,  and  meetings  held  in  a  neigh- 1  war,  assembled  lawfully  to  confer  for  de- 


5.  Whether  the  certain  Federal  leaders 
Mr.  Adams  denounced  as  traitors  were  so, 
is  the  difficult  problem  to  be  solved. 

With  Plumer's  confession  of  American 
design  of  disunion,  Adams'  argumentative 
confirmation  of  it,  and  Henry's  betrayal  of 
the  British  attempt,  extrinsic  proof  beyond 
circumstantial  ends  ;  and,  except  in  its  ac- 
knowledged acts,  we  grope  the  way  through 
a  chnid  of  ambiguities  for  the  real  intentions 
of  the  Hartford  Convention,  authorized, 
whatever  they  were,  by  the  constituted 
authorities  of  Massachusetts  and  Ilhodo 
Island,  perhaps  countenanced  by  those  of 
Connecticut,  donounc«^l  by  Governor  Eustis 
as  a  dangerous  and  reproachful  combina- 


boring  State,  which,  whatever  may  have 
been  the  professed  object,  had  the  certain 
effect  of  encouraging  the  enemy,  &c.,  and 
cast  a  reproach  on  tiie  good  name  of  the 
State."  Henry's  undeniable  proofof  atany 
rate  English  reliance  on  the  disloyalty  of 


fence  of  the  country  from  invasion.  The 
mass  (tf  the  population  were  attached  to 
the  Union,  and  averse  to  the  Convention. 
But  an  indefatigable!  conspiracy  of  poli- 
ticians, favored  by  the  eniliargo,  restrict- 
ive system  and  war,  all  bearing  with  pe- 


Ncw  England,  was  profusely  paid  for  and  ;  culiar    severity    on    Nev.'    England,    had 


published,  by  emptying  the  whole  secret 
service  fund  into  his  lap  ;  for  which  inordi- 
nate bribe  Ills  original  roceijit,  lately  found 
among  Monroe's  papers,  is  as  follows : 

IVhrunn/  10,  1812. 
Received    of  John    Graham,    Es(j.,    fifty 


thousand  dollars,  on  account  of  juibhc  ser-   ,.i,  •„  «,. .  m       i.^     i      i  u*  T  i  ^    i 

'  1  whole  five  jNew  England  States,  and  mad' 


vices. 
$50,000.  John  Henry. 

John  Graham  was  Monroe's  chief  clerk 
in  the  State  i)epartment,  whom  the  Trea- 
sury record  of  the  10th  Ecbruary,  1812, 
debits  with  §49,000,  drawa  thiit  day,  the 


worked  their  ]ioisonous  leaven  into  the 
whole  lump,  which  was  so  far  taintiul,  that 
a  section  of  the  AmiM-ican  Union,  more  than 
any  other  (h^pcndent  on  its  preservation,  and 
bcn(>fitted  by  its  advantages,  in  the  course 
of  1814,  got  possession  of  the  State  govern- 
ments and  congri^ssional  delegations  of  the 


dened  them  with  disaffection. 

In  May,  10415,  the  first  American  Consoci- 
ation ,vas  established  between  the  colonies 
of  Massachusetts,  JMymouth,  Connecticut, 
(excluding  llhode  Island)  and  New  Haven, 
rtlio  all  came  to  America  to  advance  tlio 


171 


[1814. 

ic  sum  total 
olsewlmrp. 
)  preface  the 
liiHtinp;  aceii- 
1,  to  provnko 
1  if  posHihlo 
rablo,  it  niiiy 
nces  thus  fur 

f    Louisiana 
disiii'>mljer 

uutod  by  nny 
intcinporate 
opposition  of 
lie  virulence 
itutional  rc- 

poople  wore 

and  resolved 

rnnicnt,  not- 

the  federal 

nt  frequent- 
to  separate 
t  there  could 

cral  leaders 
ors  were  so, 
)lved. 

if  American 
gunientative 
(  betrayal  of 
)r()of  beyond 
spt  in  its  ac- 
ivay  through 
al  intentions 
authorized, 
constituted 
and  JJhodo 
l)y  those  of 
ernor  Eustis 
ful  conibina- 
conspieuoiis 
c  council  of 
nfer  for  de- 
asion.  The 
attached  to 
Convention, 
icy  of  poli- 
go,  restrict- 
nj;;  with  pe- 
gland,  had 
_>n  into  the 
aint(Hl,  that 
1,  more  than 
rvation,and 
1  the  course 
tat(!  govcrn- 
itions  of  the 
9,  and  mad- 

>an  Consoci- 
tho  colonies 
'onnectieut, 
Sew  llav(>n, 
idvaaco  the 


CnAP.  X.] 


ORIGINAL  UNION  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 

— * — 


228^ 


kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  en- 
joy the  lil)orties  of  the  Gospel  with  impunity 
and  peace,  by  reason  of  the  sad  distractions 
tlien  in  England,  hindered  from  that  huml)le 
way  of  seeking  advice  or  reaping  the  com- 
f(ivtabl(!  fruits  of  protection,  therefore  con- 
fi!(lerat<;d  as  the  United  Colonies  of  New 
England,  liy  a  perpetual  league  of  offence 
and  defence,  mutual  advice  and  succor  on 
all  ,ju><t  occasions,  both  for  preserving  and 
propagating  the  truth  and  lil)erties  of  the 
(lospel,  and  for  their  mutual  safety.  By 
that  propagating  ofl'spring  of  the  sturdy 
British  revolution,  no  two  colonics  could 
join  in  one  jurisdiction  ;  nor  other  c(dony  be 
receivetl  into  the  confedei-ation  without  the 
consent  of  the  wIkjIo;  the  charge  of  all  was 
to  bn  liorne  in  proportion  to  the  male  in- 
habitants of  each,  and  on  notice  of  invasion 
by  three  magistrates  of  any  colony,  the  con- 
federates were  to  furnish  their  respective 
quota  of  men,  without  further  meeting  or 
expostulation  :  primitive  lessons  of  the 
Puritan  and  ])ilgrim  fathers  renounced  or 
perverted  by  their  progeny  in  1814. 

At  Alliany,  in  17")5,a  provincial  assembly 
prccciled  the  confHleration  of  1778;  and  in 
1779,  the  contrasting  resemldance  to  1814 
is  too  riunarkable  to  be  overlooked.  In 
177t>,  distress  and  depreciation  were  the 
jiroclalmed  British  means,  as  in  1814,  for 
rendering  the  American  colonies  of  as  little 
avail  as  possible  to  their  new  French  con- 
nections. CoUyer's  and  IMatthew's  desola- 
tions in  Virginia,  inhunnm  pi'ccursors  of 
Cockburn's  and  Beckwith's  there;  Tryon's 
and({arth's  in  Connecticut,  Maclean's  on 
the  I'enobscot;  British  incursions,  with  in- 
furiated Tory  reinforceuKints,  in  the  South, 
in  the  first  war;  savage  allies.  North  and 
South,  in  the  second  ;  were  natural  enormi- 
ties of  the  rancor  of  family  strife,  in- 
flicted by  over-ruling  Providence  to  ex- 
tirpate; coloiual  reverence,  and  raise  up 
another  great  British  empire  in  America, 
to  supplant  the  old  one  of  Europe.  In 
1779,  hatred  of  England  and  attachment  to 
all  America  were  predominant,  and  burning 
Anieri(;an  aspirations  branded  in  revolted 
filial  attachments  by  what  the  constituted 
authorities  of  Massa(;husetts  stigmatized  as 
the  butcheries  and  devastations  of  implaca- 
ble British  enemies.  On  the  2(1  of  June, 
1779,  by  the  journals  of  Congress,  the 
I'resident  laid  liefore  tlu;  Convinental  Con- 
gress a  letter  from  the  J'rovincial  Con- 
gress of  Massachusetts  Bay.  dated  Jlay 
liith,  which  was  read,  setting  forth  th(>  dif- 
ficulties they  labored  under,  tor  want  of  a 
regular  form  of  government,  and  as  the 
other  colonies  are  now  compelled  to  raise 
an  armj-  to  defend  themselves  from  the 
butcheries  and  devastations  of  their  impla- 
cable enemies,  which  renders  it  still  more 
necessary  to  have  regularly  established 
governnu'nt,  recpiesting  the  Congress  to 
favor  thorn  with  explicit  advice  respecting 


the  taking  up  and  exercising  the  power  of 
civil  government,  and  declaring  their  readi- 
ness to  sulimit  to  such  general  plan  as  tho 
(Congress  may  direct  for  the  e(donies,  or  nmko 
it  their  great  study  to  establish  such  a  form 
(jf  governujeiu  there,  as  shall  not  only  pro- 
mote tiieir  advantage,  but  the  union  and 
interest  of  all  Amrriai. 

It  is  triuj  that,  in  1779,  all  united  republi- 
can America  did  not  extend  beyond  the  river 
Ohio,  if  the  Alleghany  mountains;  and  the 
union,  as  reconstitutcMl  in  1787,  deprived  no 
freeman  or  State  of  all  freemen's  unquestion- 
able rights  of  angry  complaint,  strong  remon- 
strance and  vehement  opposition  lo  oppress- 
ive, much  more  unconstitutional,  national 
government.  As  an  act  constitutionally  so 
(piestionable  as  the  annexation  of  Louisiana 
to  th(!  original  union,  might  lawfully  be  re- 
sisted by  either  State  or  individuals,  as  was 
concedetl  by  Presidents  Jefferson  and  John 
tiuincy  Adams,  so  the  constitutionality  of 
any  indefinite  embargo  was  questioned  by 
able  jurists.  But  sanctioned,  as  it  was,  by 
judicature,  and  received  into  the  Union,  as 
Louisiana  had  been,  by  act  of  Congress,  in 
1812,  after  several  years  of  territorial  go- 
vernment, forcible  resistance  to  either  the 
embargo  or  the  new  State  was  unwarranta- 
ble,  and  not  less  so,  if  i)y  contrivance,  plotted 
in  secret  machination,  to  withhold  from  the 
federal  government,  by  State  authority  or 
popular  transaction  in  stress  of  war,  tho 
nnnins  in  men  and  taxes  indispensable  for 
belligerent  operations.  Conceived  in  1803, 
at  the  purchase  of  Louisiana,  essayed  in 
1808  and  1809  to  frustrate  tho  embargo  and 
restrictive  system,  matured  to  extreme  re- 
sorts in  the  war  of  1812,  a  treasonable  anti- 
federal  spirit  lurked  in  Massachusetts  till 
self  sacrificed  at  Hartford,  in  1815,  for  tho 
long  premeditated  schemes  of  disunion 
concentrated  there,  could  not,  if  they  would, 
have  stopped  short  of  violent  treason. 

Massachusetts,  long  so  largely  represented 
in  the  national  councils,  liad  reduced  her 
Democratic  influence  there  to  one  Senator, 
Joseph  Varnum,  and  one  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  James  Parker, 
from  the  Kennebeck  district  in  Maine,  con- 
nected by  marriage  with  General  Dearborn, 
neither  of  them,  by  aptitude  for  debate  or 
command,  jorominent  ni  Congress,  while  all 
their  Federal  colleagues  were  foremost  in 
anti-federal  opposition  to  the  war  and  Jladi- 
son's  administration,  some  of  them  among 
their  ablest  and  most  violent  antagonists.  If 
not  degenerate,  theirs  were,  at  least,  totally 
changed  from  the  national  sentiments  of 
their  forefathers,  in  1779 ;  the  sons  apparent- 
ly as  devoted  to  F/Ugland  as  the  sires  were 
hostile,  and  ungemerously  inimical  to  the  de- 
scendants of  those  southern  fellow-country- 
men, whose  fathers,  with  Washington,  rush- 
ed to  their  rescue,  when  the  standard  of  re- 
sistance was  raised  at  Boston  against  (ireat 
Britain  iu  1775,  as  iu  1812,  it  was  raised  tlioro 


s:^  ■■■ 


-•.1 .'  ' 

::>;■'■' 

^  J. 
.■•,  >*, 


't" 


,1  r 


b.  : 


t.i' 


'ft 


224 


NO  LEGAL  TREASON. 


[1814. 


2r;-^^:. 


iS   -I 


IK'-' 


to  tho  Union.  Novel  ami  erafty  contrivanoo 
was  cnat'tctl  hy  law,  not  less  trnachcrous 
and  niovo  dan^icrons  tliun  avowi-d  treason, 
if  disunion  was  its  olijcct.  Disnipnihor- 
iticnt  or  oniasiMilation  of  tlic  I'liion  l)y 
witlidrawal  of  soldiers  and  taxes  in  war, 
coJilinin^  troojis raised  )pya  State  to  its  own 
sidfisli  (iefence,  and  veieetin;^  tin;  national 
dixitosal  of  its  militia,  in  order  to  hrin;j; 
about  soetional  ])eaeo  witli  tlie  conmion 
enoniy,  was,  if  disjiunislialde,  tlii'refore  tiui 
more  daiij^evous,  and  even  tIiou,'j;ii  so  intend- 
ed, iniiiraetieablo  without  bloodshed.  San- 
guinary results  were  inevitable,  civil  war, 
FrapinnMitary  states,  the  early  and  eonvulsive 
end  of  American  and  repnidiean  entiriHy. 

Disorj^anizing  juries,  the  basis  of  legal  ad- 
ministration, by  inducing  them  to  violate 
the  enactments  of  law,  ami  tlu-ir  judicial  in- 
terpretation by  verdicts  annulling  both,  was 
tho  introduction  of  that  svstem  of  executive, 
legislative  and  judicial  State  vevidt,  spurn- 
ing national  rofiuirements  and  (uuourag- 
ing  their  individual  rejection;  proclaiming 
rejiudiation  of  federal  loans  and  debts  In" 
eminent  statesmen.  Altogether,  it  was  in- 
sui'vection  by  abuse  of  piM'sonal  freedom  and 
State  sovereignty.  The  peo))le  reailily  jiaid 
taxes,  but  tho  politieians  resisted  loss  of 
power.  A  family  quarrel  ensued,  intracla- 
blo  as  such  feuds  are,  cold-blooded,  indecent 
and  rapacious,  venting  rancor  in  outrage- 
ous malediction  which  provoked  estrange- 
ment and  circumvented  legal  coercion  by 
the  craftiest  chicane.  State  and  individual 
animosity  fortified  themselves  by  the  de- 
nunciations of  the  licentious  i)ress  and 
pulpit  virulence,  all  urging  violence,  till  the 
whole  Kastcrn  atmosphere  bnrned  with 
malignant  defiance  oi  federal  authority, 
and  vindication  of  English  hostility.  In- 
action under  such  excitement  was  discre- 
ditable, if  practicable.  Some  vent  for  it, 
besidi;  language,  was  indispensable  to  save 
its  authors  from  disgrace.  But  that  there 
was  no  giMieral  C(dlnsion  with  Englai\d,  ex- 
cept for  illicit  trade,  and  ill  got  wealth,  ajt- 
peared  not  only  by  puldic  sentiment  which 
prevailed  in  New  England,  but  by  Un-at 
Britain  in  1814  no  longer  (excepting  that 
part  of  the  United  States  from  the  blockade 
proclaimed  tho  year  before,  or  In^r  most 
offensive  hostilities.  Governors  of  Nova 
Scotia  and  Canada,  British  ministers,  Hen- 
ry an<l  other  Knglish  intiM'lopcrs,  flattered 
their  employers  with  the  armed  and  forcible 
separation  of  the  Eastern  States  from  the 
rest;  which,  encouraged  by  Easti.'vn  o'ppo- 
sition  to  the  war,  the  British  attempted. 
But,  though  such  might  hav(i  been  ih" 
end,  it  was  not  the  means.  History  and  ])os- 
terity  may  be  sure  that  such  treason  did 
not  produce  the  Hartford  Contention,  into 
which,  there  is  reason  to  })eliove  that  some 
of  its  members  went  to  jm^vent  the  disunion 
they  feared  others  or  their  instigators  pro- 
voked ami  intended.    As  very  few  of  the 


common  people  could  bo  seduced  to  that 
treachery,  even  by  color  of  law  and  pretext 
of  State  right,  by  the  pressure  of  general  dis- 
tress or  the  intlannnatory  appeals  of  some 
few  traitors,  so  i.mong  tins  mendiers  of  tlio 
Hartford  Convention,  there  were  probably 
none  in  British  connivance.  Mr.  Otis,  who 
nev('r  joined  with  JMckering  to  dcjcry  the 
national  creilit,  went  to  Hartford,  as  he 
afterwards  published,  with  extreme  reluc- 
tance ;  though  throughout  the  restrictive 
system  no  one  was  more  active  or  efficient 
in  dennirali/.ing  the  due  course  of  law  or 
(Migendering  those  indefensible  violations 
of  it,  which  he,  with  (iovernor  Strong,  the 
Supreme  (\)urt  of  Slassachusetts  and  the 
legislature,  whi(di,  at  length,  in  special  ses- 
sion, authorized  the  Hartford  (Convention, 
were  for  several  years  bringing  about. 
Perhaps  some  of  them  wishe(l  to  quell 
tlu!  commotion  they  were  constrained  to 
connlenancu  in  order  to  prevent  its  worse 
explosion.  When  what  Mr.  Adams  de- 
noun:>eil  as  the  original  design  was  con- 
ceived in  ISO.'),  it  embrficed  New  York  and 
contemjilated  I'ennsylvania.  But  those 
large  States  repelled  it  with  horror;  and 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  unanimous  support  of 
th(;  war  and  the  Union  reduced  what  was 
contemptuously  disdained  as  the  kingdom 
of  Now  England,  to  its  own  narrow  limits. 
The  States  of  that  Kastorn  affiliation  like- 
wise, several  of  them,  openly  discounte- 
nanced any  segregation  from  the  Union,  so 
that  finally  the  Massachusetts,  if  not  Boston 
and  Hampshire  county  movement  was  re- 
duced to  its  own  few,  and  they  bound  by 
overruling  orders  to  avoid  all  projects  of 
I'ismomberment.  Still,  not  only  the  licen- 
ticms  press,  but  the  yet  more  licentious  jml- 
pit  )>roclaime(l  disunion  with  atrocious  vio- 
lence ;  and  there  must  have  been  individuals 
contemplating  separation  from  the  Union 
and  alliance  with  England. 

"If,"  preaehed  a  Boston  clergyman,  in 
known  social  and  partisan  fellow.ship  with 
the  prime  movers  of  tho  Convention,  "you 
do  not  wish  to  become  the  slaves  of  those 
who  are  slaves,  and  are  themstdves  the 
slav(\s  of  French  slaves,  you  must  cut  the 
connection,  or  so  far  alter  the  Constitution 
as  to  secure  yoursidvcs  a  share  in  the  go- 
vernment. The  Union  lias  long  since  been 
virtiiall}'  diss(dved,  and  it  is  full  time 
that  the  jiortion  of  tiie  disunited  States 
should  take  ear(^  of  itsidf.  But  this  high 
matter  must  bo  left  to  a  Northern  and  Kast- 
crn Convention.  To  continue  to  suflTer  as 
we  have  is  more  than  can  be  (sxpected  from 
human  jiatienco  or  Christian  resignation. 
The  time  has  arrived  when  comimui  jiru- 
dence  is  piisilhi'iimliy,  and  moderation  has 
ceased  to  be  a  virtue." 

"To  the  cry  of  disunion,"  said  one  Boston 
Journal,  "the  pliiin  and  obvious  aiisAver  is 
that  the  States  are  already  separated  ;  the 
bond  of  union  is  broken  by  rresident  Madi- 


[1814. 

iducftd  to  that 
iw  iind  pretext 

(if  fjenoral  dis- 

iimiils  of  souk; 
loinlicrs  of  tlio 
were  )irol)alily 

Mr.  Otis,  who 
e;  to  decry  the 
artford,  as  he 
exiremo  reluc- 
tho  I'estrietive 
ivo  or  efficient 
iir.so  of  hiw  or 
ibhi  violatioiiH 
lor  Strong,  the 
iisetts  and  the 

in  S|i<;cial  .ses- 
ril  Convention, 
■inj,-in,!^  about, 
siied  to  quell 
constrained  to 
(nent  its  Morse 
Adams  de- 
isi;i;n  was  con- 
New  York  and 
L.  l>ut  those 
li  horror;  and 
(ins  sujuiort  of 
need  what  was 
s  the  kinj!;doni 

narrow  limit.s. 
affiliation  likc- 
mly  discounte- 
ii  the  Union,  so 
ts,  if  not  Boston 
konient  was  rc- 
they  bound  by 
all  projects  of 
only  the  liccn- 
!  licentious  pul- 
li  atrocious  vio- 
leen  individuals 
'oni  the  Union 

derjiynian,  in 
fellowship  with 
fivention,  "you 
slaves  of  those 
themselves  the 
1  nnist  cut  the 
he  Constitution 
lare  in  the  {^o- 
long  since  been 
is  full  time 
snnited    States 

I5ut  this  liicrh 
:hern  and  Kast- 
ue  to  suffer  as 
I  expect(>d  from 
m  resignation. 
1  common  jiru- 
iiodcratioii  has! 

=aid  one  Boston 
ions  answer  is 
separated  ;  the 
'resident  MaJi- 


CnAr.  X.] 


MASSACHUSETTS  LEGISLATURE. 


225 


son.  As  vrc  arc  now  going  on,  wo  shall 
certainly  ]io  brought  to  irretrievable  ruin. 
The  Convention  cannot  do  a  more  popular 
act,  not  only  in  Now  England,  but  through- 
out the  Atlantic  States,  than  to  make  a 
peace  for  the  good  of  the  wlnde.  The  Con- 
vention must  report  to  their  constituents  on 
the  subject  of  peace  and  war.  If  they  find 
that  it  is  to  continue,  it  is  to  1)0  hoped  that 
they  will  vocommeml,  and  that  the  States 
will  adopt  the  recommendation,  that  no  men 
or  money  shall  bo  permitted  ,o  go  out  of 
New  England,  until  the  militia  expenses 
already  incurred  are  reimbursed,  nor  until 
the  most  ample  provision  is  made  for  the 
defence  of  the  New  England  States,  during 
the  continuance  of  the  war." 

"If,"  said  another  journal  there,  "  all  the 
States  south  of  the  Delaware  wore  struck 
out  of  being,  the  Northern  States  would 
soon  forget  the  loss  of  them.  The  Western 
States  beyond  the  mountains  are  not  taken 
into  view,  in  this  connection,  for  any  other 
purpose  than  to  show,  that  they  do  not, 
ouglit  not,  and  never  can,  belong  to  the 
Union.  Let  the  Western  States  go  off  and 
take  care  of  themselves.  Let  them  have  as 
many  Indian  wars  as  they  please,  and  take 
with' them  all  the  lands,  which  the  United 
States  own  in  that  quarter,  to  pay  theirdebts, 
and  let  us  thank  them  into  the  bargain. 
Then  let  us,  who  belonged  to  the  old  family, 
try,  by  the  agency  of  such  men  as  are  to 
meet  at  Hartford,  and  such  men  as  met  for 
a  similar  purpose  at  Philadelphia  in  1787, 
revise  our  family  compact;  provide  for  all 
the  old  creditors  of  the  United  States  in  the 
funded  debt,  who  fall  within  our  limits. 
Suppose  that  the  State  government  should 
pass  a  law,  that  whoever  should  attempt,  in 
the  name  of  the  United  States,  to  class  citi- 
zens of  that  State  for  the  purpose  of  select- 
ing one  from  every  twenty-five  to  conquer 
Canada  or  Mexico,  should  be  deemed  a 
public  enemy  and  guilty  of  a  high  misde- 
meanor against  the  sovereignty  of  the  State, 
and  should  assign  as  a  reason  for  such 
law,  that  no  article  of  her  ircafy  with  the 
United  States  had  given  such  power  over 
her  citizens,  to  whom  is  the  sovereign  State 
answerable  for  such  acts?  Will  any  one 
deny  that  the  State  has  power  to  enact  such 
law  ?" 

An  absurd  ebullition,  at  the  opening  of 
the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  on  the  5th 
of  October,  1814,  before  the  Governor's 
message  was  received  or  Mr.  Otis'  resolu- 
tions followed,  withdrawn  next  day,  was 
symptomatic  of  the  general  infatuation : 
a  resolution  of  Mr,  Low,  a  lawyer  of  Ly- 
man, for  a  committee  to  confer  with  all  the 
other  Now  England  States,  and  see  if  they 
will  join  by  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  repair  immediately  to  Washington,  then 
and  there  personally  to  make  known  to  the 
President  the  general  opinion  of  all  the 
New  England  States,  in  regard  to  the  war 
15 


and  its  conduct,  and  inform  him  that  ho 
must  either  resign  his  office  or  remove  those 
officers  and  other  ministers  of  the  Gon(!ral 
Government  who  have  by  their  nefarious 
plans  ruined  the  nation.  "  Is  there,"  said 
the  Boston  G.azette,  "a  patriot  in  America 
who  conceives  it  his  duty  to  shed  his  blood 
for  Bonaparte,  for  Madison,  for  Jefferson, 
and  that  host  of  ruffians  in  Congress,  who 
have  s(!t  their  face  against  us  for  years,  and 
spirited  up  the  brutal  part  of  the  populace  to 
destroy  us  ?  Not  one.  Shall  we  then  be  any 
longer  held  in  slavery,  and  driven  to  despe- 
rate poverty  by  such  a  graccdess  faction? 
Heaven  forbid !"  The  Essex  Kegistcr,  organ 
of  the  most  disaffected,  called  the  Essex 
Junto,  transceniling  seditious  language, 
published  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Reading,  Slassachusetts, 
Col.  Nathan  Pai-kor  in  the  chair,  and  Cap- 
tain Jonathan  Temple,  secretary,  at  which 
it  was  resolved  that,  for  the  present  and 
until  the  public  opinion  is  known,  wo  will 
not  enter  our  carriages,  pay  our  continental 
taxes,  or  aid,  inform,  or  assist  any  officer  in 
their  collection.  By  the  publication  of  such 
proceedings,  their  attempted  similitude  of 
the  imputed  tyranny  of  1814,  to  that  of 
•1770,  by  resistance  to  continental  taxation, 
it  was  plain  that  individuals,  numerous 
enough  to  constitute  public  meetings,  were 
on  foothold  enough  to  publish  their  resolves 
of  forcible  resistance  to  government.  At 
the  time,  however,  that  parts  of  the  Eastern 

tublic  pre?s  openly  proclaimed  that  the 
lartford  Convention  would  recommend 
forcible  resistance  to  the  national  govern- 
ment, that  men  and  money  should  be  with- 
held from  It,  that  a  separate  peace  would 
be  made  with  England  by  its  illustrious 
sages  and  patriots,  and  a  new  constitution  to 
restore  peace,  commerce  and  prosperity  to 
New  England ;  other  portions  of  the  public 
press  treated  these  as  democratic  slanders, 
causing  the  only  suspicion  existing  of  the 
fidelity  of  the  Convention  to  the  Union. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  on  mo- 
tion of  Mr.  Lyman,  a  lawyer  of  Northamp- 
ton, instituted  a  prosecution,  in  January 
1814,  by  the  official  instrumentality  of 
Daniel  Davis,  the  solicitor-general,  against 
Thomas  Rowo  and  Joshua  Hooper,  print- 
ers of  a  Boston  newspaper  called  the  Yan- 
kee, for  what  was  denounced  as  a  gross  and 
indecent  libel  on  the  legislature,  by  calling 
them  a  factious  but  lifeless  body,  disposed 
to  prostrate  the  national  government,  and 
sever  themselves  from  the  Union,  but  with- 
out cither  nerve  or  power  to  do  it.  Nobody 
were  looking  at  thorn  for  any  great  effort 
against  either  the  national  government,  or 
the  enemy  in  quiet  possession  of  one-third 
of  the  territory  oi  Massachusetts.  To 
which  application  of  the  English  law  of 
libel,  in  all  its  plastic  absurdity,  to  the 
American  press,  tne  accused  pleaded  a  re- 
port by  the  same  Solicitor-General  Davis 


ft 


'    M 


w 


'..If: 


I 


it     -I  ■ 


'if        1  <L 


mthmmAmwmi£im\  m 


220 


OTIS  AND  QUIXCT. 


[1814. 


.'..%■ 


■| 


to  r.nvornor  Gorvy  in  1S12,  anil  liy  him  com- 1 
municiitcil  to  tlio  lo^^isliitun',  nf  2r!<>  liVicls,  ; 
iiecdnliiiij;  t<>  tl»(>  same  law,  in  fivo  F(iclnral  ^ 
f  Udston.    In  (inlcr  to  execute  , 


newsiiaiicra  ot 
ooniiiict(!lv  the 


Kn;j;lisli  parliamentary  pri- 
vileij;e,  this  pros(>(;ntion,  instead  of  hcinj^ 
referred  to  the  hnv  officers,  and  grand  jury, 
phould  have  heen  undertaken  hy  the  legis- 
lature themselves,  and  dealt  •with  as  con- 
tempt of  tlieir  authority.  Let  the  truth  be 
given  in  evidence,  said  another  n(nvspaper, 
against  that  sepulchral  liody,  fair  without 
hut  foul  within,  and  not  a  Federal  jury  can 
he  packed  that  will  acquit  it. 

Whether,  if  the  army  invading  Louisiana 
had  landed  at  Long  Island,  as  many,  and  as 
it  was  said  even  the  President,  apprehended, 
the  tone  of  disiiflfection  which  iirevailed 
would  have  stopped  with  violent  language, 
is  prohlematical.  If  the  Ilarlford  Conven- 
tion was  guilty,  its  memhers  were  as  fortu- 
nate as  the  whole  Union  in  the  location  of 
hostilities  and  their  tinndy  termimition. 
Great  Britain  invaded  where  the  Union 
seemed  weakest  and  proved  strongest,  when 
they  might  have  found  the  strongest  part 
apparently  the  weakest  in  reality.  Though 
the  Hartford  Convention  did  not  prohaMy 
contemplate  immediate  action,  it  is  hard  to 
say  what  might  not  have  been  tlie  effect  of 
British  armies  at  hand  to  encourage,  hasten 
and  protect  ulterior  outbreak. 

With  passionless  inflcxiljility,  IMadison 
lield  his  ground  against  the  approaching 
and  certainly  alarming  design  of  a  New 
England  Convention ;  hoping  from  every 
proof,  since  Henry's  reluctant  homage,  that 
the  people,  and  even  the  Federal  party  there, 
would  not  be  with  it,  but  if  any,  only  a  few 
loaders.  "The  settled  purpose  of  those  in- 
cendiaries and  patrici<les,"  said  the  National 
Intelligencer,  reproving  the  Boston  press,"is 
from  war  to  enfjendor  anarchy,  displaying 
hostility  to  their  own  government  which 
they  have  not  the  courage  to  show  against 
the  enemy  ;  and  openly  avowing  what  once 
they  would  have  stigmatized  as  a  calumny  : 
a  nest  of  reptiles  brooding  dismemberment 
in  the  breast  of  a  virt'ious  people  ;  whose 
menaces  could  do  no  more  trian  to  encou- 
rage the  foe  and  protract  the  war." 

Mr.  Otis'  report  and  resolutions  to  the 
special  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts, which  voted  the  Hartford  Conven- 
tion, denounced  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  as  not  only  an  utter  failure 
for  cither  war  or  peace,  but  so  defective  in 
its  provisions  for  amendment,  as  to  require 
and  justify  the  summary  justice  of  neces- 
sity: wherefore,  with  inconsistent  profes- 
sions of  attachment  to  the  Union,  measures 
■were  recommended  for  a  meeting  of  dele- 
gates from  all  the  States  for  amendment, 
and  for  a  New  England  convention  to  con- 
fer on  their  peculiar  grievances. 

Josiah  t^uincy  and  Harrison  Gray  Otis 
descended  from  tho  Congress  of  the  United 


States  to  the  general  court  of  Massnclinsotts. 
In  Congress  Mr.  Quincy  vehemently  opposed 
the  admission  of  Louisiana  into  tin;  Union, 
incurred  Mr.  Clay's  indignant  rebuke  for 
suggesting  the  impeachinent  of  Jefferson, 
declared  that  the  United  States  could  nut 
be  kickeil  into  war,  and  otherwise  repre- 
sented those  extreme  Eastern  antipathies 
to  Southern  ascendency,  that  Vietrayed  him 
at  last,  in  ISIM,  into  the  proverbially 
odious  and  absurd  resolution  which  lie 
carried  through  tho  Senate  of  Massachu- 
setts, against  rejoicing  in  the  naval  victo- 
ri(!s  of  his  country. 

Mr.  Otis  prece<Ied  Mr.  Quincy  in  Con- 
gress, before  the  seat  of  gfivernment  was 
transferred  from  Philadelphia  to  Wash- 
ington, when,  under  the  elder  Adams' 
administration,  n  consiucralde  diploma- 
tic corps,  and  seaport  American  tenden- 
cies established  the  commercial  circle  in 
whi(di  Mr.  Otis  vsas  associated  with  the 
southern  gentlemci  in  Congress,  whose  in- 
timacy ho  seeniei .  to  prefer ;  Pinckneys, 
Rutle'lges,  Marshall,  Madison,  Randolph, 
and  others  :  respectable  English,  Baring, 
and  Erskine,  who  married  there ;  Copley, 
afterwards  the  Chancellor  L(n'd  Lynd- 
hurst ;  distinguished  French,  Talleyrand, 
Y>dio,  to  his  numerous  oaths  of  allegiance,  su- 
peradded one  in  Philadelphia  to  tlie  United 
States  of  America ;  the  l)uko  of  Orleans, 
since  King  Louis  Philip  of  France,  with  his 
brothers  Beaujohiis  and  Montpensier,  Cha- 
teaubriand, Noailles  ;  and  not(n'ious  among 
those  distinguished  foreigners,  Cobbett, 
editor  of  Porcupine's  Gazette  and  the  Bloody 
Buoy,  audacious  reviler  of  whatever  was 
not  English,  and  whatever  was  American 
or  repu))lican.  Among  those  notabilities 
the  member  from  Boston,  Mr.  Otis,  a 
handsome  young  man,  appeared  with  at- 
tractive manners  at  the  little  presidential 
court,  and  with  persuasive  rhetoric  in  tho 
House  of  Representatives.  W^ith  public  and 
pi'ofesslonal  reputation  much  enhanced  in 
1 1814,  when  humbled  to  the  headship  of 
five  hundred  small  farmers,  plain  mecnan- 
ics,  and  village  lawyers  in  the  multitudi- 
nous legislature,  called  the  general  court 
of  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Otis  was  easily 
chief  and  leader,  with  undisputed  sway,  as 
in  the  posterior  correspondence  concerning 
the  Hartford  Convention  between  him  and 
Mr.  Ailams,  undisguised  personal  ill  will 
between  rival  leaders  is  hardly  disguised. 

The  lexicographer  of  New  En^^land, 
Noah  Webster,  in  a  volume  of  political, 
literary,  and  moral  tracts,  published  in 
1843,  assigns  a  laudable  origin  to  that  much 
reviled  convention,  which  Mr.  Daniel  Web- 
ster, another  contemporary  and  intimate, 
deemed  it  pollution  to  be  connected  with. 
Noah  Webster,  a  member  of  tho  Massa- 
chusetts Legislature,  which  voted  it,  and 
present  at  Hartford  when  it  assembled, 
pronounces  it  a  patriotic  endeavor  to  arrest 


!>t  i 


[1814. 

Massnclnisott!?. 
innntlyoiifioxed 
into  tlu'  I'nion, 
nut  rcliukc  for 
it  of  Jefferson, 
tiitos  could  not 
thorwiso  ropre- 
crn  iintijiathios 
\t  Ijctrnj-ed  him 
I!  proverliially 
tion  which  ho 
:  of  Mansachii- 
10  naval  victo- 

iuinoy  in  Con- 
ovornment  was 
liliia  to   Wasli- 

ohler  Adam.s' 
ral)lo  diphinia- 
orican  tenden- 
}rcial  circle   in 

iated  with  the 
ijross,  whose  in- 

r  ;    I'inckneys, 

on,  Ixandoli'ih, 
nglish,  ]5avin<r, 

tliero ;  Copley, 
Lord  Lynd- 
ch,  Talleyrand, 
f  allegiance,  su- 
ia  to  the  United 
ko  of  Orleans, 
"^•ancc,  with  his 
•iitpensier,  Cha- 
lotorious  among 
^ners,  Cobbett, 
>  and  the  Bloody 
'  whatever  was 

was  American 
oso  notabilities 
1,  Mr.  Otifi,  a 
loared  with  at- 
tic presidential 
rhetoric  in  the 
rt^ith  puldic  and 
ch  enhanced  in 
ic  head.ship  of 
plain  niochaii- 

tho  multitudi- 

gonoral  court 
tis  was  easily 
iputed  sway,  as 
nee  concerning 
twcen  him  and 
ersonal  ill  will 
dly  disguised. 
Sow  England, 
10  of  political, 
,  published  in 
;in  to  that  much 
r.  Daniel  Wcb- 

and  intimate, 
jonnected  %vith. 
of  the  Massa- 
I  voted  it,  and 

it  assembled, 
leaver  to  arrest 


Cbap.  X.] 


OTIS'  PvESOLrTIOXS. 


■)f>'r 


the  continuance  of  disastrous  war,  and  i  States,  to  revise  a  worthless  eonstitutI()n,  by 
provide  for  the  public  safety,  originating  j  means  pronounced  impracticable, 
with  some  gentlemen  in  the  county  of  old  Tiie  New  England  antipathy  to  negro 
Hampshire,  who  invited  others  to  consult,  ■  slavery,  since  imparted  by  (.)ld  England,  nf 
and  on  the  5th  of  January,  1814,  Joseph  j  whoselightningMr.A<lamsbecamrtheclii('f 
Lvman,  father  of  Theodore  Lyman,  whom  '  conductor,  di<l  not  appear  in  Mr.  Otis' rcso- 
jfr.  Daniel  Webster  prosecute((  for  calumni- 1  Ititions  ;  whose  complaint  was  confined  to 
atinj'him  by  connection  with  that  paradox,  \  slave  representation  in  Congress,  as  a  na- 
distributed  a  circular  letter  for  its  cstalilish- 1  tional  representative  wrong,  but  without 
mcnt.  Accordingly,  numerous  memorials,  |  any  ablKU'rencc  of  slavery  as  itself,  eitliei' 
from  many  parts  of'  Massachusetts,  iis  The- !  as  individual  or  national  evil.  Mr.  Otis' 
odoro  Dwight,  the  Secretary,  pleads,  went  I  report,  premising  censures  of  thi)  war 
up  that  year  to  the  legislature  for  redress  ; '  and  the  Federal  Oovernment,  and  asserting 
on  which  memorials,  in  February  L'>14,  the  !  the  extinction  of  all  party  in  one  universal 
legislature,  1>y  a  committee,  reported  that, '  feeling  ofresistance  to  an  enemy  reproached 
in  concert  with  other  States,  JIassaehusetts    for  not  discriminating  between  those  who 


should  insist  by  irresistible  claim  for 
Guch  alterati(m  as  would  save  the  Union ; 
and  their  report  was  adopted  by  large  ma- 
jorities, as  the  genuine  voice  of  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  people.  But  they  aske<l  for  no 
secret  or  segregated  convention ;  the  po- 
pular voice  Avas  for  delegates  from  all  the  I  Ity  the  withdrawal  of  tl.o  national  troops 
commercial  States,  to  devise  measures  of  |  to  Canadian  invasion,  to  provide  for  their 
peaceable  reform,  not  disiuemliorment;  own  indispensable  self-defence,  were  uiui- 
'  '  »-       T,     I      ,         n  .       ))le  to  bear.     There  remains,  therefore,  no 

alternative  but  submission  to  the  enemy,  or 


occasionally  sought  peace,  and  thcise  who 
wantonly  provoked  war,  argued  that  the 
national  treasury,  as  exhibited  ])y  its  Se- 
cretary, required  an  augmentation  of  taxes, 
which  the  people  of  ^lassachusetts,  de- 
prived of  their  coninerce,  and  compelled. 


inv(dving  no  new  New  England  coufode- 
racy,  or  anti-federal,  unconstitutional,  or 
clandestine  transaction.  Mr.  Otis'  ela- 
borated apology,  by  the  twelve  letters, 
vouches  no  such  origin  as  that  assigned  by 
Noah  Webster,  but  imputes  the  first  move- 
ment towards  a  New  England  convention 
at  irartfiu'd,  to  Governor  Jones,  of  Rhode 
Island,  whoso  correspondence  with  Gover- 
nor Strong,  concerning  the  fcileral  Execu- 
tive's refusal  to  pay  for  militia  which  it  was 
not  allowed  to  call  out  or  command,  as  laid 
before  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  was 
the  first  step,  Mr.  Otis  avers,  toward  Hart- 
ford. 

Of  Mr.  Otis'  seven  resolutions,  the  second 
was  for  ten  thousand  troops  during  the  >  ar, 
to  be  oi'ganized  and  officered  by  the  go- 
vernor, for  the  defence  (if  the  !?!tate ;  tlie 
fourth,  for  the  loan  of  a  million  of  dollars, 
to  support  that  army  of  observation :  the 
fifth,  for  delegates  appointed  liy  the  legisla- 
ture, to  nieoL  and  confer  with  delegates  from 
the  States  of  New  FiUgland,  upon  the  subject 
of  their  public  grievances  and  concerns, 
and  upon  the  best  means  of  preserving  their 
resources,  and  of  defence  against  the  enemy, 
and  to  devise  and  suggest  for  adoption,  by 
those  States,  such  measures  as  they  may 
deem  expedient ;  and  also  to  take  measures, 
if  they  shall  think  proper,  to  procure  a  con- 
vention of  delegates  from  all  the  United 
States,  in  order  to  revise  the  Constitution, 
and  more  effectually  to  secure  the  support 
and  attachment  of  all  the  people,  bj'  placing 
all  upon  the  basis  of  fair  representation. 
The  primarj'  objects  of  the  proposed  con- 
vention were.  New  England  giie\ancesand 
concerns,  the  preservation  of  their  resources, 
and  defence  against  the  enemy ;  their  se- 
condary, to  take  measures,  if  proper,  for  a 
convention  of  delegates  from  all  the  United 


the  control  oj'otir  otrii  resources,  to  repel  his 
aggressions ;  and  it  is  impossilde  to  hesitate 
ill  making  the  selection,  as  the  people  are 
not  really  for  conquest  or  submission.  In 
this  specious  tone,  astate  military  force  was 
proposed,  but  for  no  national  ]nirpose.  On 
the  contraiT,  expatiating  on  the  evils  of  the 
unhappy  and  ruinous  war,  ascribed  to  a 
system  of  commercial  hostility  to  Gi-eat 
nritain,  alliance  with  the  late  despot  of 
France,  and  listening  to  men,  distinguished 
in  their  native  State  only  by  their  disloyalty 
to  its  interests,  and  the  patronage  bestowed 
as  its  price,  (in  which  terms  Mr.  Adams, 
and  who(!ver  else  of  Massachusetts  sided 
with  him,  were  denounced,)  the  report, 
brandishing,  if  not  the  sword,  at  least  tho 
pen,  of  tlefiance,  declared  that  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States,  under  the  ad- 
ministration of  those  in  power,  having  failed 
to  secure  to  the  Eastern  region  their  rights, 
is  a  grievance  justifying  an<l  requiring  some 
system  of  measures  for  relief,  of  which  tho 
ordinary  mode  of  amendment  to  the  Con- 
stitution affords  no  reasonable  expectation 
in  season  to  prevent  ruin.  The  people  must 
use  their  means  of  redress,  required  by  their 
safety,  the  supreme  law.  The  constitu- 
tional provision  fu' amendments  has  proved 
defective,  and  no  reason  precludes  the  right 
to  obviate  those  dissensions  which  viijif  our 
(jovernmcnt  for  peace  or  war.  But  as  a  pro- 
position for  such  a  convention  from  a  single 
State  would  probably  lie  unsuccessful,  and 
our  danger  admits  not  of  delay,  the  com- 
mittee recommend  a  conference  between 
those  States,  tho  affinity  of  whose  interests 
are  closest,  and  whose  habits  of  intercourse, 
from  their  local  situations  or  other  causes, 
are  most  fi-equent,  for  some  mode  of  de- 


^^iil' 


%:■: 


'^'^       IS 


228 


MINORITY  REPORTS. 


[1814. 


|fi-*i.-;     ':-.  i 


liv--'!-! 


fence,  directed  to  tlio  circumstances  and 
cxi^eneieti  of  those  States,  and  to  enable 
tlieir  deli'f^ates,  hIiouM  they  deem  it  expe- 
dient, to  hiy  the  foundation  of  a  radical  re- 
f(jr;n  in  the  national  compact,  by  invitin;:;  a 
future  convention  of  delegates  from  all  the 
States  in  tlio  Union. 

AV'ith  tliat  report,  and  the  resolutions  ac- 
companying it,  came  another,  from  another 
committee,  of  wliom  IMr.  White,  of  Essex, 
"was  chairmiin,  to  whom  was  referred  the  cor- 
respondence between  the  Governor  and  the 
Secretary  of  State,  respecting  denial  of  tlie 
President's  authority  to  place  the  militia 
under  the  command  of  any  officer  of  the 
regular  army  of  the  United  States,  or  sub- 
ject them  to  any  but  his  ov.'n  j)ersonal 
command ;  setting  forth  an  alarming  ac- 
Ciiuiit  of  the  militia  expenses,  which  the 
Secretary  had  informed  them  would  in  that 
case  be  chargeable  to  the  State;  and  con- 
L;luding  that  the  legislature  was  bound  to 
2vc.-!ervc  the  vcsourcci  of  the  State,  so  far  as 
noc(>ssary  for  their  defence  in  their  peculiar 
and  distressing  circumstances. 

Against  the  black  flag  of  separation  from 
the  Union  thus  unfurled,  minorities  in  both 
Houses  protested;  extolling  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, denying  its  imputed  defects,  and 
showing  that,  as  respected  the  only  injustice 
pointed  out,  the  New  England  States  had  a 
representation  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  f.ir  greater  than  in  proportion  to 
their  free  population.  The  Senate  minority 
report,  by  John  Holmes,  avowed  suspicions 
that  Massachusetts  was  to  lead  the  New 
England  States,  by  a  combination,  to  dis- 
solve the  Union,  in  a  course  such  as  that 
contemplated  by  the  resolutions,  selecting 
a  period  of  war  for  the  purpose  :  suspicions 
confirmed  by  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men 
■withheld  from  the  orders  and  pay  of  the 
General  Governnxcnt.  Propositions  for  a 
separate  peace  for  New  England  might 
grow  out  of  the  meeting  of  delegates,  lead 
to  a  compact  with  the  enemy,  introduce  a 
foreign  army,  and  subjugate  both  sections 
of  the  Union.  Against  a  convention  of  dele- 
gates from  tiio  New  England  States,  the 
jucmorablo  number  of  seventy-six  members 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  headed 
by  Levi  Lincoln,  in  another  protest  written 
by  him,  earnestly  remonstrated,  as  however 
disguised,  obviously  tending  to  a  separation 
and  division  of  the  Union;  of  which  there 
vas  more  designed  than  distinctly  exposed, 
it  having  been  reiterated  in  debate,  that  the 
Constitution  had  failed  in  its  objects,  and  that 
revolution  was  not  to  bo  deprecated.  The 
bond  of  our  political  union  was  thus  attempt- 
ed to  be  severed,  in  time  of  w.ar,  for  the  mad 
oxpcriment  of  abandoning  national  protec- 
tion for  selfish  enjoyment  of  partial  re- 
sources, so  that  other  States  will  say  that, 
unless  Massachusetts  governs  the  adminis- 
tration, the  govornmen;  shall  not  be  ad- 
uiinistored  in  Massachusetts.    That  Consti- 


tution is  to  bo  destroyed,  which  is  the 
charter  of  our  liberty,  and  ark  of  safety, 
(mr  liberties  annihilated,  and  our  country 
surrendered  to  implacable  foes.  Of  tiie  thir- 
teen (another  memorable  number)  signers 
to  the  Senate's  protest,  seven  were  after- 
wards members  of  Congress,  John  Holmes, 
Martin  Langdon  Hill,  Walter  Eolger,  'I'Iukj- 
thy  Puller,  Martin  Kinsley,  Joshua  Sloan, 
and  Al))ion  K.  Parris,  the  latter  now  the  only 
survivor,  and  ovn*  since  1814  in  respectaldo 
public  stations ;  Jlr.  Levi  Lincoln,  drafts- 
man and  firstsubscril)crof  the70  protestants 
of  the  House,  son  of  President  Jefierson's 
Attorney-Cjieneral,  father  of  a  son  who  h^ll 
gloriously  in  the  bloody  gorges  of  lUiena 
Vista,  has  been  in  Congress,  Governor  of 
^lassachusetts,  and  Collector  of  tiie  Port  of 
Boston,  while  none  of  the  majority  of  the 
Massachusetts  government  at  that  time, 
has  ever  since  hocn  aide  to  overcome  the 
odium  entailed  by  the  Hartford  Convention, 
extinguishing  national  men.  Striving  in 
vain  to  maintain  Massachusetts  after  her 
fall,  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
after  suffering  the  martyrdom  of  his  pre- 
dicament there,  Mr.  Otis  resigned;  con- 
fessing forfeiture  of  public  character,  more 
fatal  than  attainder  of  blood,  abolished  by 
our  code,  but  leaving  the  intolerable  morti- 
fication of  being  treated,  as  ho  feelingly 
complained,  with  civility  and  kindness,  with- 
out ever  being  at  home.  Stejdien  Long- 
fellow, the  only  other  Hartford  Convention- 
alist who  underwent  that  punishment,  a 
rcspectalde  gentleman,  father  of  the  pro- 
fessor and  poet  of  this  time,  still  sooner 
withdrew  from  the  impracticable  effort. 

On  the  IGth  October,  Mr.  Otis'  resolutions 
passed  the  House,  the  second  for  raising  a 
State  army  by  only  248  votes,  out  of  a  body 
500  strong;  more  voting  against  it  than 
signed  the  protest  of  '70.  The  Senate  soon 
concurrii.g,  the  two  Houses,  in  joint  meet- 
ing on  the  19th  October,  by  a  much  less 
ballot  than  the  whole  number,  chose  the 
twelve  delegates,  the  protesting  minority 
refusing  to  vote  for  what  was  denounced  as 
an  unconstitutional  act.  The  (  riginator  of 
the  Convention,  according  to  Noah  Webster, 
(o  arrest  the  war,  Joseph  Lyman,  was  chosen 
one,  George  Cabot  the  first  named,  Harrison 
Gray  Otis,  the  second ;  Nathan  Dane,  author 
of  the  well  known  ordinance  of  1787  for  the 
government  of  the  territory  north-west  of 
the  river  Ohio,  another,  but  none  of  the  rest 
of  national  repute.  The  President  of  the 
Senate,  John  Phillips,  and  Speaker  of  the 
House,  Timothy  Bigelow,  as  directed,  forth- 
with, on  the  17 til  October,  forwarded  these 
proceedings  to  other  States,  to  bo  laid  before 
their  legislatures,  as  "an  invitation  to  dele- 
gates to  deliberate  on  the  danr/ers  of  the 
eastern  section  of  the  Union  by  the  war,  and 
devise  means  of  preserving  their  resources," 
but  with  the  significant  addition  to  the  re- 
port and  resolutions  of  " no^  reimgnant  to 


[1814. 

•which  is   tho 

ark  of  siifuty, 
(I  our  fovuitry 
Ds.  Ofthotlilr- 
iiiubcr)  slj^iicrs 
ell  wero  aCtor- 

John  IltihiiL'.'j, 
r  F()l;^er,  Ti mo- 
Joshua  Sloan, 
oruowtiuMnily 

ill  rcspcetaljlo 
jincohi,  drafts- 
jTOprotostants 
out  Joll'or.soii's 

a  son  -wlio  Aill 
rges  of  liuciia 
s,  Governor  of 
V  of  the  Port  of 
najorlty  of  the 

at   that  time, 

ovorconio  tho 
rd  Convention, 
1.  Striving  in 
Motts  after  her 
United  State.*, 
oni  of  hits  j)ri}- 
rcsigned ;  eon- 
haracter,  more 
1,  abolished  hv 
;olerahle  morti- 
18  he  feelingly 
kindncsH,  \vitli- 
Stejihen  Long- 
)rd  Convention- 
pun  i.slunent,  a 
ler  of  tho  pro- 
ne, still  Moouer 
cable  effort. 
3tis' resolutions 
id  for  raising  a 
s,  out  of  a  body 
igainst  it  than 
'he  Senate  soon 
,  in  joint  nieet- 
)y  a  much  less 
iber,  choso  tho 
'bting  minority 
s  denounced  as 
lie  ( riginatov  of 
Noah  AVebster, 
lan,  was  chosen 
iiiuod,  Harrison 
m  Dane,  author 
sof  1787  for  the 
f  north-west  of 
none  of  tho  rest 
'resident  of  tho 
Speaker  of  the 
directed,  forth- 
brwarded  these 
to  bo  laid  before 
vitation  to  dele- 
dangers  of  the 
by  the  war,  and 
'heir  resources," 
lition  to  the  rc- 
^t  reimgnant  to 


Chap.  X.] 


OUTSET  OF  CONVENTION. 
— ♦ — 


229 


their  ohliijnthna  as  7tiemlers  of  the  Union." 
Whi('h  paramount  resolution,  incorporated 
by  the    legislature  with  assault  upon  tho 
Constitution,  was  furtherinoro  corroborat- 
ed, in  order  to  anticipate  objections  from 
jealousy  or  f<(ar,  by  assurance  of  the  well 
known   attachment  of  tho    Legislature  of 
Massachusetts  to  the  Union.     A  fjuestion 
of  constitutional  law,  according  to  Jlr.  Otis, 
had  arisen  lietwcH'ii  the  CJenoi-nl  and  State 
Oovcrnnionts,  which  no  umpire  could  settle. 
Under  the  impulse  of  necessity  above  law, 
the  State  doviate<l  from  its  regular  course, 
when  it  was  natural  for  tlie  government  of 
stat(;s  to  obey  the  dictates  of  tlie  law  of  na- 
ture, and  stand  together  for  their  own  de- 
fence.    To  this  casuistry  of  nullification, 
tho  apology  added,  that  if  tho  war  had  con- 
tinui'd,  and  an  attempt  been  mad(>  to  en- 
force th.e  impending  eonserijition,  tho  case 
would  have  been  pregnant  with   trouble, 
calling  for  measures  not  contemplated   in 
the  Constitution,  when  tlie  people  must  cut 
tho    Oordian    knot.     To    tiiat    extremity, 
either  wilfully  or  actually,  tho  report,  reso- 
lutions, state  troops  and  Hartford  Conven- 
tion  tended.     But  tho   minority  in    both 
branches  of  tho  legislature,  representing  in 
that  respect  a  large  nuijority  of  tho  people, 
cherished  the  federal  knot  of  their  own  work- 
manship ;  while  among  tho  majority  of  the 
general  court,  those  hesitations  and  fears 
which  in  all  bodies  of  men  exist  and  often 
prevail,  indefinite  and  conservative  appre- 
hensions, subjecting  tho  bold  and  rash  to 
the  prudent  and   timorous,  put  a  double 
curb  on  the  resolved  assault  on  the  Federal 
Constitution,  and  constrained  its  assailants 
to  profess  inviolable  reverence  for  it.    With 
credentials   thus    qualified,   the   delegates 
were  forbade  all  treasonable  action  and  de- 
claration, if  not  design.  ;>nd  sent  forth  os- 
tensil)ly  loyal.     Their  very  first  step  was 
faltering:  and  fortune,  the  great  regulator 
of   events,    srossed    their   whole   way   hy 
a  continual   sequel   of  counteractions   till 
overtaken  by   the   catastrophe,   both    Eu- 
ropean and  American,  that  crushed  thoni. 
The  people  of  tho  Blast,  like  all  the  rest,  in 
the  simple  majesty  of  unsophisticated  pa- 
triotism, the  war    by  universal  victories, 
tho  g(jverninent  roused  and  instructed  by 
tribulation    and    triumph   to    energy   and 
vigilance,  peace  hastening  from  beyond  the 
ocean,  whoa  Europe  did  not  desire  America 
to  be  suodued  by  England,  the  whole  course 
of   contingencies   in    providential   concert 
counteracted  treason  or  treachery  in  what- 
ever form.   Had  hostilities  lasted  to  another 
campaign,  their  pressure  and  party  machi- 
nery might  have  realized  convulsive  dis- 
union beyond   mere  passive  retention  of 
funds  to  active  revolt,  by  sectional  peace  and 
sanguinary  diss'  .ision,  for  Massachusetts 
must  have  been  either  English  by  the  un- 
resisted conquest  of  all  Maine,  or  Ame- 


rican by  co-operation   In   the   capture   ()f 
Halifax. 

The  States  beyond  New  England  n  ji'oti.i1, 
with  emphatic  repugnance,  the  new  )ilnt- 
ftirin  of  eitlier  ruptured  or  eiifcelilcd  union; 
some  by  legislative  proceedings,  all  by  )po- 
pular  indignation.  In  the  S(>nat(^  of  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  1.3th  February,  I'^lo,  (iover- 
nor  Snyder's  communication  of  the  r(\«(du- 
tion  of  r'.iiineeticut,  pivqiosing  amendments 
of  tho  United  States  Constitution,  was  re- 
ferred to  a  select  committee,  on  motion 
of  Nicludas  lJi(l(ll(>,  who  icported  against 
tho  Massachusetts  plan,  exposing,  v/itli 
special  force,  the  wholly  unf'oumled  pre- 
tence,, of  such  States  as  lihotle  Island, 
Vermoi.*,  Cimneeticut,  New  Hampshire, 
or  even  Massachusetts,  each  with  two 
Senators,  to  complain  of  undiu?  distribu- 
tion of  federal  power  as  against  the  peo- 
ple of  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Oiiio. 
On  the  4th  January,  Mr.  Biddle  !;ad  in- 
troduced, with  a  few  elor|iient  and  ]'a- 
triotic  remarks,  resolutions  for  raising,  by 
drafts  from  the  militia,  a  corps  of  eight  thou- 
sand men,  to  serve  during  twelve  months, 
for  tho  defence  of  Pennsylvania  and  tho 
adjoining  States;  for  procuring  one  or  more 
steam  frigates,  steam  batteries,  or  other 
means  of  defence,  for  tho  jn-otoction  (>f  tho 
shores  of  tho  Delaware;  and  for  borrowing 
a  million  of  dollars,  to  bo  employed  solely 
in  the  defence  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
On  Mr.  Biddle's  motion,  likewise,  incr(;ased 
bounties  wore  voted  to  seamen  fbr  the  Dela- 
ware flotilla.  His  father  was  an  active  mem- 
ber ofthe  Committee  of  Safety,  appointed  by 
the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  in  the  autumn  (jP 
1814,  when  the  capture  of  Washington  and 
official  threats  of  Admiral  Cochrane  put  all 
places  on  tho  Atlantic  on  the  alert ;  three  of 
whoso  sons  wero  in  the  army  or  navy,  on 
all  occasions  distinguished  by  that  spirit  of 
enterprising  bravery,  transmitted  r.s  the 
inheritance  of  ancestors  from  the  rie\olii- 
tion. 

Separate  eastern  or  northei-n  confederation 
was  regarded  almost  universally  with  horror 
and  contempt.  Of  the  New  England  States 
themselves,  Massachussets,  Khode  Island, 
and  Connecticut  wore  the  only  three  that 
gave  it  any  countenance :  Rhode  Island,  the 
only  one  whose  legislature  adopted  the  Mas- 
sachusetts project  without  tho  rostricti(Hi 
which  Massachusetts  herself  put  on  her 
delegates  to  Hartford.  That  little  State, 
last  to  join  tho  Federal  Union,  with  the  in- 
ordinate advantage  over  Virginia  of  equal 
representation  in  tho  Senate,  and  most  de- 
pendent on  it,  was  the  first  and  onlj-  one  to 
disregard  union.  Tho  preamble  of  their 
legislative  resolution,  invoking  tho  co-ope- 
ration of  neiijhhoriiKj  sister  States,  scarcely 
oven  all  Now  England,  for  common  defence, 
and  appointing  delegates  to  recommend 
measures  for  their  common  relief,  provided 


U  . 


HI 

t: 

t':   .: 

€■■ 


^ 


m 


""..>' p^i* 


230 


CONNECTICUT 

— — ♦ 


;"»■•' 


11 '^'^-v  ill 


.*    .        ■   'i 


»     'A 


Uu'"'i  I 


lucri'Iy  timt  tlii'y  sIkjuM  lio  I'liiisistcnt  irl//i 
t'liir  (il)lii/ati()iit<  to  irsttin'  ami  (•('cui'c  tlu-ir 
rii;lits  mill  iirivllo^jcs  iiiulcr  tlic  ( '(institution 
of  tilt'  L'nlteil  States.  Mr.  Dwi^^lit's  lii.stor.v 
interprets  that  liald,  iinineanin;;-  jiliraf-e  to 
ini]ily  ailluM-enee  to  tlie  I'nion.  IJut  Mr.  Otis 
Uoelaro.s  tliat  before  Massai-liuselts  niaile 
any  overture  to  her  .sister  States,  a  t'ort- 
iii;;ht  jirior  to  th(^  sittin;^  of  her  h'jjishi- 
ture,  the  State  of  IMioih'  Ishiiid  made  the 
j/irsf  (ii/nincc  to  the  States  of  .Massacliusetts 
aiid  Conneutieut,  toward  tlie  JIurtford 
C'on\ention.  in  A'erniont,  he  adds,  the 
fjovernor  actually  (inhnil  Imrlc  the  nii- 
iiiia.  In  New  llaiu|>shire,  when  (invernor 
(jilnicr  eonfurnied  to  the  l*resident's  reijui- 
sitlon.  ho  next  year  fast  his  i:li'i/li,it.  To 
this  state  ni'  thinjjs,  so  niiieli  alike  in  all 
]>arts  of  New  Kn<;land,  and  /"  f/f  roinuiii- 
nic(iiionjii\'it  uiitth'  I'liini  itliode  Ishmd.  may 
lie  traced,  says  ^Ir.  Otis,  the  lirst  ijtrm  cd' 
the  Convention. 

CVinnoeiient  and  lihodo  Ishmd  liein^  the 
only  two  States  hy  lej^ishitive  resolutions 
adojitinj;  those  of  ^I.^ssaehusetts,  orijiin- 
ated  ami  outrun  by  Hhode  Island,  a  (|Ues- 
tionalile  report  from  the  le;i-islatnre  of  I'on- 
noetieut  in  session,  at  New  llavon.  in  Octo- 
ber, 1,SI4.  still  further  fettered  the  prinu' 
movers  of  discord,  and  bound  tliein  to  tlw 
American  Uh'  >n.  Depictinj^  the  evils  of 
var,  in  the  connuon  terms  (d'  its  lamenta- 
tion by  the  ])ulpit,  press,  bar  and  countin;;'- 
hou-e,  it  was  said  to  be  waK'""!  f"i'  *-'"•'" 
(|ues'.,in  coalition,  as  evident  as  if  defined  by 
the  .articles  of  a  formal  treaty,  between  tin; 
nati(jnal  administration  and  the  f"arfal  ty- 
rant of  Europe,  as)nrin;i  lately  to  the  do- 
minion of  the  world.  To  that  alisurd  ca- 
lumny was  added  an  inn;enions  and  charac- 
teristic noti(jn,  that  the  very  doi  laration  of 
war,  without  pvovidinji;  means  inilispensablo 
to  conduc',  it,  was  a  breach  of  the  veci|)rocal 
oblit^aiion  of  the  ])Oople  and  their  ji;overn- 
mcnt.  Still  there  was  rodoeminj;  lioast 
tlu'.t  th  '  people  of  Connecticut  had  no  dis- 
loyalty to  the  interests  of  the  Union,  ]nuic- 
tually  iiaid  their  taxes  to  the  ticncral  Go- 
vernment, met  and  repulsed  the  cu'-my  at 
the  water's  odrco,  nor  forgot  the  tic,  of  con- 
fidence and  aft'ection  which  bound  these 
States  to  each  other,  durinjj  their  ..ills  for 
independence.  Concedinj;-  that  the  docu- 
monts  from  ^lassaclmsetts  ])resented  an 
olif^iljle  method  of  combining  the  wisdom  of 
New  England  for  devising  a  proper  course 
to  ()e  adopted,  the  report  insisted  that  it 
nmst  be  consistent  with  Connecticut  obliga- 
tions to  the  United  States.  And  while  it  was 
resolved  to  appoint  seven  delegates  to  meet 
those  of  Massachusetts  and  the  other  New- 
England  States  at  Hartford,  to  devise  and 
recommend  measures  for  the  safety  and  wel- 
fare of  these  States,  yet  it  was  particularly' 
re((uired  that  they  should  bo  only  such  as 
consist  Avith  our  obligations  as  members  of 
the   Nutioual   Union.     Not  only  riveting 


[1814. 

tlu^se  fetters  to  bind  down  disunion,  Cen- 
nectieiit  took  can.'  to  appoint,  moreover, 
seven  delegates  of  knoivu  aversion  to  it, 
se\eral  ol'  whom  had  long  servetl  in  Cua- 
gress,  all  disposed,  without  olf'ensiv(>  nui- 
nifestation,  to  I'alm  and  counteract  any 
evil  tendencies  of  the  jiroposed  convention. 
Ilhode  Island  apiiointeil  her  four  delegates. 
15ut  in  New  Hampshire  the  project  \va:i 
cohlly  received,  the  governor,  "bdin  Taylur 
(iilnu'r,  refusing  to  convene  the  legislaluri", 
so  that  no  Static  didegates  wei  •  appointed, 
but  only  two  pt  rsons  (d'  local  designation 
attended  from  that  State  at  llartlbnl,  and 
wi-re  admitted  as  delegates.  In  X'ernKait, 
the  victories  of  I'lattsburg  had  disiielled 
the  fdomls  and  silenced  the  idaniors  of 
ilisafl'ection.  The  legislature  unanimous- 
ly refused  to  appoint  tleh'gates,  upon  the 
unanimous  report  id'  a  Joint  commlttci! 
(d'  both  Houses,  of  which  committee  tlH> 
majorities  were  Federalists:  and  iustt'ad 
voted  unanimo;.s  residutions  of  thanks  to 
IMacdonough  and  Macomb,  and  a  farm  at 
('umlM'rlandheail,  the  scene  (d'  his  glorious 
\ictory.  to  the  Ibrmer.  One  local  merely 
self-a] (pointed  delegate  repaired  from  \'er- 
mont  to  Hartford,  and  was  received  into  the 
conclave  thi>re. 

IJefore  the  royal  charter  granted,  in 
1002,  by  Charles  the  Second,  to  Connecti- 
cut, for  Winthrop's  ring  (so  free,  that  he 
and  his  pedantic  brother  frtMpn'utly  tried 
to  revidKC  it),  was  republicanized  by  u  civil 
rev(d'jtion  in  church  and  .state,  in  If^lS, 
that  ancient  commonwealth  was  a  popu- 
lar, ecclesiastical,  and  scludastic  despotism. 
The  governor,  judges,  and  most  other  oilicers 
were  elccti^l  annually,  the  legislature  and 
Council  twice  a  year;  primary  niec-tings  to 
nominate  candidates  opeidy,  and  stated 
(dections  secretly  to  choose  them,  were  held 
in  places  id'  wiu-ship,  wdiich  it  would  have 
been  jirofanation  to  call  churches  or  govern 
by  bishops;  the  government  was  hidd  at  twii 
different  jilaces  in  rotation,  and,  till  latterly, 
party  and  inditical  meetings  were  opened 
with  ])rayer.  'S\"n\\  such  incessant  routine, 
and  unconniion  solemnity  td'popular  transac- 
tion, men  were  seldom  changed,  and  son  suc- 
ci'oded  father  in  office.  The  whole  popula- 
tion were  educated  in  ]mblic  schools  ;  one 
of  the  largest  colleges  of  the  United  States 
was  constantly  replenished  by  crowds  of 
students  ;  i)astoral  inflnencc  was  more  abso- 
lut(!  than  jtarental;  hierarchies,  ])olitical, 
social,  and  religious,  managed,  with  clerical 
exactitude,  a  frugal  and  industrious  com- 
munity, extrenndy  intelligent  and  intole- 
rant. Massachusetts,  more  connnercial  and 
freethinking,  not  less  proscriptive,  with 
IJoston,  the  metropolis  of  all  New  Eng- 
land, was  the  centre  of  its  pcditics,  oj)in- 
ions,  and  predominance,  dictating  its  mea- 
sures. On  the  20th  of  October,  1814,  pro- 
limitMxry  to  the  lIartfV)rd  Convention,  the 
legislature  of  that  leading  State,  pursuant 


CuAr.  X.] 


CONNECTICUT  LKGISLATrUE. 


liximidii,  Ci:n- 

iiit,   niiirouvcr, 

ivci'siuu  til  it, 

icivcil  in  Cuii- 

oH'ciisiM'  iiiii- 

iiiitcriiit   liny 

(m1  convcntiDU. 

fiUlV  (lt'li';;ati's. 

1'   iinijcct  wuH 

',  ./oli'n  Tavliir 

lio  lc;;i>latiin', 

I'l  '  a|i|iiiinti'il, 

i!  tli'sifiinatiiiii 

llarll'onl,  ami 

1m  \  rnnimt, 
hail  dispi'lUMl 
10  claim ii'^i  (jT 
•0  unaninii'us- 
iti's,  upiin  tlu.' 
inl  ('(inuniltce: 
iininiiitic    tiic 

and  insliad 
H  iif  thanks  tu 
mil  a  farm  at 
if  liis  ;;liiiioiis 
!  local  nii'i'uly 
ircd  from  \'er- 
ccived  into  tho 

firantoil,    in 

1,  to  Connecti- 

frcc,   tiiat   ho 

i.'(|ncntly  tried 

izcd  liy  ti  civil 

(itute,  in  ISlf^, 

I    AVIIS    tl    ]IOJUl- 

stic  dcs])otisni. 
stotluu-  odicers 
c;;'islatiire  and 
ry  nii'i'tinjis  to 
y,  and  .stati.'d 
icni,  were  hold 

it  would  have 
■ches  or  ;;-overn 
vas  held  at  two 
id,  till  latterly, 
s  wero  oppiiod 
I'ssant  rontino, 
opnlartransac- 
.'d.anil  Son  suc- 

whole  poiuila- 

(!  schools  ;    Olio 

United  States 
by  crowds  of 
rt'as  more  abso- 
hies,  ])olitical, 
1,  with  clerical 
dnstrions  coiu- 
iit  and  intdlo- 
Lininiercial  and 
icriptive,  with 
%\l  A'ow  Eng- 
IMilitics,  ojiin- 
:atin>i-  its  mea- 
Ikh-,  1814,  pro- 
onventiiin,  tho 
itiitc,  pursiuvut 


to  the  iilan  of  a  proat  Eastern  movement,    rated    from    IJostoii,    in    vai 


n    niixii 


ni 


I  liti  ted   with  maiico  from  tlio  jmrch 


rated 


as'j 


itiioiit  lieing  o)iiiosed   by  a   prudent  ;;■ 


f  JiOi  isiana,  n-solved  to  raise  an  army  ten    veriior,  broke   out,  not,  like    that   of  .M 
tjnnisand   litronj;,  not   to  aid,  )jut  awi;  the    saehuso"-',  in  the    single    enactment  of   a 


Union;  not  to  wage,  lint  arnvst  this  war ;  i  formid!; 


force,  but  a  series  of   smaller 


not  to  bo  placed  under  tlie  command  of  deliances  co  the  Union,  'ly  thirtiH.ii  acts  of 
aiiyof  tiie  I'resident's  jirefects,  as  the  I'nit-,  Jietty  and  vexatious  restr.etioiis  on  national 
cd  States  gc^nerals  commanding  military  government  in  (.'oiinecticut ;  b- '  .g  ail  but 
districts  wcu'o  stigmatized,  but  to  be  called  six,  and  tliose  six  iiisigiiilieant,  oi'tiie  wholo 
out,  armed,  otlicered,  uniformed,  stationed,  nineteen  enaetiiients  ol'  tiie  Connecr.icnt  le- 
omployed,  and  disjiosed  of  ex'dusiveiy,  and  gislature  at  tlieir  special  session,  pending 
altogether,  by  tiieir  own  disalfected  govern-!  tiie  Hartford  Convention, 
or,  in  deiiance  of  federal  autiiority,  j      In  August  lSl2,  at  tho  first  session  after 

But  .Jolm  Cotton  Siiiitii,  the  (Jovernor  of  Congm'ss  declared  war,  an  act  of  Connecti- 
Connecticut,  was  by  no  means  inclined  to  cut,  adojiting  the  military  hi.'resy  ol'^la>sa- 
sunder  his  State  from  the  Union.  An  an-  cliusetts,  provideil  tiiat  the  volunteer  corps 
cieiit  I'oderalist  of  tiiat  State,  now  in  his  of  tiie  State  should  not  bo  lialde  to  any  olliev 
eiglit'-iirst  year,  "a  Federalist  from  tho  In;-'  military  duty  than  to  lie  called  out  by  the 
lief  tiiat  an  unrestrained  diunocracy,  to  say  governor  for  tiie  defence  and  iirotectiim  of 
tlie  least  of  it,  would  not  conduce  to  [leaco  tiie  State,  nor  sulijoct  to  any  otlier  coiiiiiiand 
anil  si'curity  of  society,"  roiireseiits  (io-  tiiaii  tliat  of  their  own  officers,  nor  oljliged 
veriior  Smith  as  ''of  opinion,  that  tho  dc^  :  on  any  occasion  to  do  military  duly  out  of 
chiration  of  war  in  1812,  was  indiscreet, ,  the  State,  to  which  original  sin  as  many 
but,  as  it  was  commenced,  it  was  his  duty,    minor  oUV'iices  were  superadded  just  before 


tlio  llartlbrd  Convention  as  tliere  were  ori- 
ginal States  in  tho  Union.  The  fust,  Ibr  a 
council  of  safety  of  fivt!  persons  iiaid  to  ad- 
^iso  the  governor  relative  to  raising,  organ- 
izing and  employing  tho  State  military 
forces,  ami  all  measures  of  defence  growing 


and  tliat  of  tlio  State,  spiritedly  to  jirose- 
cute  it  to  an  honoralilo  conclusion  without 
referring  to  necessary  expense."  Although 
many  inlluential  persons,  some  of  them 
openly,  were  opposed  to  his  views,  (bivern- 
or  Smith's  views  of  tlio  proposed  conven- 
tion were,  "that,  however  some  may  have  out  of  tlio  war;  a  second,  for  a  tliousiuid 
^Yicked  designs,  there  was  nothing  to  be  nioii  to  bo  raised  for  defeuco  of  the  State 
feared  from  it  more  than  tho  result,  which  ,  during  the  war,  disciplined  and  uniformed 
was  to  rei|uest  Congress  to  omit  collecting;  as  State  troops,  to  bi,>  stationed  ami  employed 
revenues  from  Xow  Enghind,  and,  at  tiie  at  the  governor's  discretion ;  a  third,  grant- 
same  time,  reipiiro  them  to  defend  them- :  ing  them  liberal  bounties;  a  fourtli,  to  pay 
selves."  Tliis  simple  argument,  in  his  own  ,  tlieni  by  a  loan  of  four  hundred  tliousaml 
words,  of  a  retired  and  diffident  octoge-  dollars;  a  iiftli,  authorizing  the  employmeiit 
narianof  Hartford,  tixcusos  the  stand  there  of  the  State  troops  in  an  adjoining  State  to 
as  reiiuiriug  only  national  omission  to  col-  repid  invasion;  a  'i.xth,  for  an  additional 
lect  revenue  from  New  England  ■while .  aid-de-camp;  a  L'ventli,  repealing  the  act 
obliged  to  defend  themselves,  whiidi  was  prohibiting  bank  notes  of  less  than  one  dol- 
tlio  plausllilo  but  impraeticalile  ]iretoxt  i  hir,  and  sanctioning  tlie  omission ;  an  eightli, 
of  the  ])caceable  portion  td'  the  disaH'ect- ,  making  extensive  arrangements  concerning 
cd.  Connecticut,  wisely  governed,  was  ;  the  militia,  taxing  (Quakers  ten  dollars,  each 
not,  however,  altogi^ther  ruled  liy  her  to  bo  collected  sumniarily  during  tlic  war 
chief  magistrate,  whoso  moderate  anil  |  in  1'.;"'  of  militia  services;  a  ninth,  of  which 
patriotic  counsels  were  thwarted  by  the  '  tho  impotent  lualice  was  signalized  during 
legislature,  inllamed  by  schemes  of  legal  Ulio  convention  at  Hartford,  authorizing 
resistance  to  acts  of  Congress,  parti,  u- ;  onlinaiices  by  cities  to  designate  the  pltico 
larly  those  condemned  as  conscriptive,  and  j  and  method  of  military  parades,  their  vvn- 


enlistnients  interfering  with  paternal  or 
masterly  {lower.  Tho  council,  or  senate^ 
a  small  body  or  eoiniiiittee,  attacked  the 
militia  act  of  Congress  ami  Secretary  of 
War's  proposal  for  classification,  by  a  reso- 
lution put  forth  as  unanimous,  though  but 
the  voice  of  a  dozen  angry  politicians,  ac- 
quiesced in,  however,  by  a  nearly  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  House  of  llepresentatives, 
that,  in  case  any  such  bill  sliould  assume 
the  form  of  an  act  of  Congress,  the  govern- 
or might  immediately  convene  tho  legis- 
lature to  consider  what  measures  should  be 
adopted  to  preserve  the  rights  and  liberties 
of  tlio  people  of  Connecticut.     Legislation, 


dezvoiis,  marching  and  music  in  the  tjtreetrf  ; 
a  tenth,  concerning  the  quarter-niastin'-geno- 
ral;  an  eleventh,  directing  tho  collectors  of 
State  taxes  to  make  lists  of  all  free  white 
males  exemiit  from  militia  duty  ;  a  twelfth, 
authorizing  justices  of  the  peace  to  employ 
the  State  military  to  suppress  tunuiltuou.s 
or  riotous  night-meetings;  and  the  thir- 
teenth, ])rohil)iting  stage  travellins;;,  except 
for  necessity  or  charity,  on  the  Sabbath,  by 
which  the  U.  S.  mail  and  marching  of  troops 
might  1)0  hindered. 
To  this  distempered  State  legislation,  wore 
superadded  city  ordinances  of  like  annoying 
loyialit'-   particularly  at  Hartford,  to  jn'os- 


iustigatod  from  AVashingtou  and   ciu^pe-  i  trate  tl  .  military  service  there.    At  a  spo 


:  111  i 


!  i:  ! 


t.- 


I, 


!1 

mIf  ■■!■ 

!■■::      i 

I:.,. 


•  >■ 


S82 


Ir  »■■"■  '  fir;  » 


I; 


••"if 


cinl  mootinj:;  of  tlio  citizens,  a  Mil  jmHscfl 
})y  tho  boiird  of  t'ojniiion  coiinoll  was  |)rc- 
Hontod  and  accepted  liy  a  small  majority  of 
the  freemen,  to  i)rohiljit  recruiting  for  tho 
United  States  service.  Tho  ordinance  en- 
acted that  any  one,  except  the  governor's 
guards  and  the  militia,  carrying  a  flag  or 
color,  drumming  or  playing  on  any  martial 
instrument,  within  certain  jirescrihed  lim- 
its, which  includ(Hl  most  of  the  populous 
parts,  and  nearly  tho  whole  area  f)f  the  city, 
should  for  each  of  sucdi  olfcnces  forfeit  and 
pay  tiiirty-four  dollars.  I'ende/.vons  for 
recruiting  or  recruiting  officers  were  liy  the 
same  ordinance  forhid  to  Ik*  opened  in  cer- 


TtAllTFORD. 
-♦ — 


[1S14. 


ed,  and  known  f<ir  asylums  for  tho  insane 
and  the  dumb.  On  the  Llth  iVccndjcr, 
iHld,  with  excited  sentiments  of  apprehen- 
sion, mingled  approval  and  derisinn,  the  in- 
haliitants  awaited  the  i\efandnus  (\iiiventi(m 
which  takes  its  had  mime  frnm  that  (|niot 
town.  The  winter  was  niu'omnioidy  mild  f^r 
military  operations  north,  and  the  weather 
hland,  whde  in  the  slime  df  the  hiwiu"  .Min- 
sissip[)i,  the  season  favored  (leneral  Jaek- 
son  hy  extrem(>  sevi'rity,  tiu'  British  hlack 
ti'oops  being  benumbed,  and  perishing  with 
unseasonable  cold.  A  concourse  of  curious 
persons,  generally  with  sinister  asjieet,  were 
collected  in  the  streets  of  Hartford,  to  wit- 


led' 


M-^rZ-,'  ill 


1((  ()])( 
tain  parts  defined.  This  spitef^iil  nHini(!ipal  ness  the  inaiiguratiim  of  a  body  of  whom 
offspring  of  the  legislative  act  conferring  j  so  much  evil  was  foretold  and  speculation 
the  power,  was  obviously  contrary  to  the  1  ha/arded.  The  winter  quarters  and  ro- 
suprenu;  authority  of  the  t'nited  States,  and  !  cruiting  reTide/.v(uis  were  there  of  the  2r)th 
so  treated  l)y  Col.  Jessup,  who,  by  personal  regiment  of  infantry,  mostly  raised  in  Con 
courtesy  to  tho  distinguished  citizens  of 
Connecticut  brought  together  by  tho  Con- 
vention at  Hartford,  conciliated  their  re- 
spect, while  ho  treated  tho  provocations  of 
their  inferiors  with  contempt.  Tho  single 
act  of  Massachusetts  of  defiance  by  a  State 
army  of  observation,  ten  thousand  strong, 
on  which  alone  tho  legislation  of  that 
great  State  rested,  would  have  boon  more 
formidable  than  the  thirteen  acts  of  Con- 
necticut petulance  and  vexation,  if  the  will 
of  cither  people  had  seconded  their  laws. 
But  in  the  large  State  it  faltered, iii  tho  small 
one  there  was  no  such  will.  Of  the  five  New 
England  States,  two,  Vermont  r'jected, 
and  Now  Hampshire  declined,  an  Kastevn 
confederacy  ;  which  Connecticut,  seemingly 
seconding,  in  fact  countervailed.  Tho  fee- 
blest of  all,  Rhode  Island,  was  the  only  un- 
hesitating State.  The  Massachusetts  lead- 
ers, therefore,  repaired  to  Hartford  with  only 
one  State,  and  but  one,  even  if  that  should 
be  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Otis'  report  confessed 
would  bo  insufficient.  Mere  countj'  dele- 
gates, self-styled  suffragans,  whoso  surrep- 
titious appointment  is  familiar  to  the  lowest 
partisan,  volunteered  to  represent  parts  of 
counties  from  Vermont  and  New  Hamp- 
shire ;  but  one  of  them  did  not  join  the 
Convention  till  the  28th  December,  when  its 
business  was  nearly  done,  and  the  whole 
three  were  insignificant  additions  to  tho 
altogether  small  cabal  of  two-and-twentj', 
nearly  all  lawj-ers,  almost  without  co-opera- 
tion from  the  agricultural,  commercial,  me- 
chanical or  any  other  of  the  muscular  parts 
of  New  England.  A  cabal  of  liarristers, 
more  men  of  the  extremities,  undertook  to 
dislocate  a  huge  body  politic,  too  strong  to 
be  vitally  hurt  by  any  one  of  its  members, 
by  an  attempt  as  forlorn  as  it  proved  un- 
luck)-. 

Hartford,  at  tho  head  of  tidewater,  on 
the  fine  stream  which  shares  its  name 
w'ith  the  State  of  Connecticut,  is  an  in- 
corporated cit}^  then  of  some  eight  or  ten 
thousand  inhabitants,  sincj  much  increas- 


neeticut,  though  conmianded  by  Colonel 
McFet  ly  of  I'ennsylvania,  and  gallantly  led 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fight  by  Major,  for 
that  '.irevetted  Licutenant-Coloncd  -lessup 
of  K-nliu^ky,  at  the  battle  of  Bridgewater, 
where,  defeating  at  close  ((uarters  more  than 
twice  its  number  of  tho  best  British  grena- 
diers, it  was  as  much  distinguished  as  re- 
duced by  tho  hard-earned  glory  of  that 
bloody  night.  Nearly  all  the  non-commis- 
sioned ofHcers  had  their  only  decoration  by 
recent  wounds.  With  his  arm  in  a  sling  and 
his  person  nuich  scarified,  the  young  lieuten- 
ant-colonel was  s(dected,  as  nmch  from  pru- 
dence and  conciliatory  temper  as  for  daunt- 
less courage,  to  be  entrusted  with  the  critical 
task  of  superintending,  circumventing,  and 
overawing  the  treasonable  convention  which 
all  the  public  indications  threatened  at 
Hartford.  Tho  young  officers  and  men  of 
the  regiment  held  in  declared  aversion  and 
contempt  the  traitors  they  pronounced 
those  who  designed  opposition  to  their 
vocation,  and  relying  on  its  arrogated  im- 
punity, or  indulging  the  inscdenco  of  mili- 
tary pcnver,  sometimes  insulted  inoflensivo 
inluildtants,  and  provoked  the  city  authori- 
ties, prone  to  interfere  with  the  march  and 
music  of  the  soldiery,  as  tho  soldiers  were 
to  aggressive  and  unwarrantable  liberties 
with  them.  For  tho  meeting  of  tho  Con- 
vention their  drums  beat  funeral  airs 
through  tho  streets,  while  the  British  flag 
was  hung  half-mast,  and  the  American  dis- 
played surmounting  it.  Even  some  of  the 
meeting-house  bells  tolled  solemn  dirges. 
Such  martial  and  popular  reception  was 
discouraging  to  the  small  cabal,  of  less 
than  two  dozen  dispirited  and  compunc- 
tious New  Englanders,  venturing  to  pro- 
scribe tho  severance  of  eighteen  united 
sovereignties  by  means  that  must  be  fatal 
to  themselves;  like  woodmen  chopping 
off  limbs  on  which  they  stood,  to  fall 
and  bo  demolished  with  them.  As  tho 
Boston  members  left  their  homes,  tho 
Constitution  frigate,  then  beginning  to  bo 


[ISU 

for  flio  iiisnne 
til  l>(>('('iiil)i'r, 
I  tif  iipitrclicii- 
iTisidii,  the  in- 
ns Coiwciition 
•mil  that  i(nict 
mmily  mild  fur 
il  the  wcuthor 
:li('  liiwm'  .MiH- 
lii'iicnil  Jiick- 

I5ritisli  l)l!U!k 
ii'i'isliiti;;  '.vith 
iixMpf  curious 
M'  iispt'ct,  wore 
irtforil,  tti  wit- 

•dy  of  whom 
1(1  siifc'iilation 
rtcTH  iiiid  ro- 
ve of  tli(«  'JAth 
raised  in  Con- 
d  I>v  Cohinol 
1  <;al!antly  led 

liy  ^liijor,  for 
ol(>n(d   "lessup 

Bridjpowutor, 
trrsiiioro  than 
liritish  f^rona- 
[;uished  as  rc- 
glory  of  that 

0  non-comniis- 
dcooratioii  liy 

1  in  a  sling  and 
youiif^lienten- 
UK'h  from  pru- 
r  as  for  daunt- 
itli  tlio  critical 
mvontiiif]^,  and 
ivontioinvhich 
threatened  at 
•s  and  men  of 
I  aversion  and 
f  pronounced 
tion  to  their 
arrogated  im- 
denco  of  mill- 
ed inofl'ensivc 
e  city  authori- 
:ho  march  and 

soldiers  were 
ta1)lo  liberties 
g  of  the  Con- 
funeral  airs 
le  British  flag 
American  dis- 
n  some  of  the 
(ilemn  dirges, 
reception  was 
cabal,  of  less 
ind  compunc- 
II ring  to  prc- 
;htcen  united 
must  1)C  fixtal 
ion  chopping 
stood,  to  fall 
lem.  As  tho 
■  homes,  tho 
ginning  to  be 


Cnxr.  X.]  RESOLVES  OF  CO'  VINTION. 

— ♦— 

famous  as  Old  Tronsidos,  went  to  sea  from  I  elucidaU  in.     Aw  ul.rldgrd 
■     .  .1       .      .  .  .1    .11.       .     »i...:„  .1 


^ 


Mr  Oti- 

"vrards,  I 

icd,  wUhr* 

»«;  find  if  I 

'  thellarlft 


that  port,  ou  the  last  and  most  brilliant  their  defence,  Heveni!  yi>ai> 
of  her  tliree  glorious  cruises,  with  a  crew  were  harmless  and  tiiiii.l  pi 
of  hardv  Kastcrn  nmriners.  As  the  Con- 1  Hingle  glance  at  destructive 
vcntion'  heard  the  first  prayers  offered  thing  more  was  conteiiipliH''  the  Ilarlf  i4 
up  for  their  benediction,  other  American  Convention  was  a  vapid  fiitiii- v.  They  v,r» 
scamiMi,  in  a  far-distant  American  lake,  i"  .Mr.  Otis' own  summary,  first,  applicn- 
I'onchartrain,  in  half  a  dozen  gun  boats,  tion  to  Congress  for  their  consent  to  an  ar- 
noldy  resisted  tho  forty  barges  from  a  '•ii";^<'iii«'iit  whereby  the  States,  parties  to 
British  fleet  of  sixty  sail  wliicii  attacked  ,  the  I'oiiventioii,  migiit,  se|.arately  or  in  con- 
them,  commencing  'that  series  of  noble  cfi't.  nssiiiiie  the  defence  of  tlicir  territory, 
blows  by  which  Louisiana  was  welded  to  at  the  national  expcnso ;  secondlv,  certain 
tho  Union  with  more  than  constitutional;  n'»*'""|in<'iitH  to  the  Constitution,  i'lic  mode 
incorporation.  With  these  auspices,  a  ''y  which  it  was  thus  proposed  hannoninus- 
splendid  aurora  borcalis,  lighting  the  liea- ,  U',  as  was  saiil,  to  sejiarate  the  States  from 
vens,  streamed  from  the  north  as  tho  ;  tho  Union,  was  to  allow  the  Kastern  States 
Hartford  Convention  adjourned  its  first , 'i  rcasonalde  iiortion  of  the  taxes  collected 
day's  session,  retiring  to'  rest  without  any   within  them,  to  be  paid  into  their  own  tiea- 

tolion    of   approbation    from    without    or  !  ni.""'"'''' ''I'F'T,''''.^**''' ",'''''''■''''''''''■''•'''''' '.''^'" 
within.  1  bit(Ml  to  the  Unitoil  States;  and  aiithoi'izo 

One  of  their  number,  ChauneeyC.oodricb,  their  governors  to  make  detadinients  from 
was  :Mavor  of  Hartford,  by  whose  arrange- ,  the  militia,  form  V(duntary  corj.s,  eniplov 
ments  the  Convention  wore  disposed  of  in  them  and  the  State  regular  troops  in  repel- 
the  retirement  of  the  second  storv  of  an  ■  HnK  invasions.  By  these  extremely  diffi- 
isolated  stone  building,  in  which  tlie  little ;  "lent  reipiests,  it  was  obvious  that  tli(>  Con- 
State  Senate  or  council  sat  wbi'U  in  rota- j  vontion  was  either  deterrc<l_from  acts  by 

fear,  or  guilty  of  double  dealing. 

To  so  tran(inil  and  amiable  a  dissolution 


tion  Hartford  was  the  scat  of  giAcrnment. 
Locking  themselves  up  stairs  there  in 
awfully  oliscure  concealment  for  three 
weeks,  twice  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
Christmas  and  New  Year's  day,  they  were 


of  the  Union  thci'e  could  be  no  objection 
liut  that  it  was  such  ;  not  forcible,  vicdcnt, 
liomiciilal,  ye^,  nevertheless,  dissohition  as 


l^lill.^llllUnUllll      illMY       i  I'll  I. -I    tit  l^,     HIV    V      ,,  v-i...    I"      -  /V  

I'ontinuall  V  in  conclave,  and  for  nearly  four   eflectual.  Could  such  be  the  last  will,  or  was 

n.    •'  11  .      .1       •  _    l' ;♦■    r.r.lir    tl..^    i\r.ai    c:*n1^    ,^f  inaini.^va      \-,-,^i\,^,y^nA 


years  afterwards  kept  their  ju-occodinga  a 
profound  and  impenetrable  secret,  of  itself 
a  circumstance  extremely  suspicious  and 
detrimental.  Bumors  were  afloat,  and  Colo- 
nel Jcssup  had  occasional  disclosures  of, 
their  discussions.  But  till  the  final  ad- 
journment on  the  5th  January  1H1.5,  no 
reports,  publicatimi  or  authentic  intimation 
of  any  kind  appeared.  Nothing  but  dark- 
ness was  visible;  for  the  formal  report, 
printed  and  circulated,  could  have  little 
effect  to  quell  misgivings  as  to  an  assem- 
bly, from  which  all  but  themselves  were 
excluded  with  inexplicable  and  masonic 
mystery.  Not  till  several  years  afterwards, 
when  the  Convention  was  universally  con- 
demned, branded,  ridiculed  and  its  members 
discharactorized,  could  even  the  journal, 
always  a  bald  and  unsatisfactory  account 
of  aiiy  public  body,  bo  extorted  by  Judge 
Johnson  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  from  Mr.  Otis  at  Washington, 


as  some  tardy  and  imperfect  explanation  of  without  reason. 


what  till  then  remained  hermetically  seal 
cd  from  light  and  knowledge.  Till  then, 
George  Cabot,  the  mysteriarch,  remained, 
and  wherefore  ?  solo  keeper  of  even  what  was 
but  faint  expression  of  the  actual  delibera- 
tions, suggestions,  votes,  motives  and  pro- 
ceedings of  the  ill-starred  Hartford  Conven- 
tion, in  its  conception,  transactions  and 
termination  equally  unwise,  unfortunate 
and  contemptible. 


it  only  tho  first  step  of  testators,  instigated 
by  grievances  so  inveterate,  denounced  by 
infuriate  abuse,  and  for  the  extinction  of 
which  such  infinite  pains  had  been  taken? 
One  faint  hint,  scarcely  a  threat,  of  ulterior 
measures,  half  concealed  in  a  gentle  para- 
graph of  tho  report,  accompanied  resolves 
of  mere  hackneyed  party  hostilities:  exclu- 
sion of  slave  representation,  new  states, 
and  naturalized  foreigners;  restraints  of 
restrictive  systems,  war  power,  and  presi- 
dential tenure — were  these  the  results  ef  so 
much  preparation?  Small  minorities  in  tho 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts  were  incapa- 
ble of  tho  supernatural  and  incredible 
power  of  defaming  him  and  his  associates, 
ascribed  by  Mr.  Otis  to  their  unparal- 
Iclled  virulence  and  effrontery,  for  such 
venial  offences.  In  a  country  where  all 
secrecy  is  unpopular  and  treason  detested, 
mystery  may  have  helped  to  decry  what  it 
was  impossible,  however,  to  make  infamous 


In  fearful  suspense  as  to  the  fate  of  New 
Orleans,  which,  by  our  last  accounts  at 
Washington,  approached  its  crisis,  tho  go- 
vernment rejoiced  in  tho  close  of  a  convoca- 
tion characterized  by  the  National  Intelli- 
gencer as  "  a  mere  caucus,  in  factious  tem- 
per seeking  redress  for  imaginary  evils  in 
ail  illegal  manner;  which,  in  its  maturity, 
must  have  been  unconstitutional — whoso 
abortion  was  always  anticipated  by  those 


For  tliolr  reports  and  published  procee.l-   who  knew  its  promoters.     Mentionr  1  but 
ings  scarcely  require  or  deserve  historical  I  once  in  Congress,  they  caused  little  por- 


ft.:,  '1 


if 


i  ■ 


■it 


234 


nOLMKS'  SPEECH. 


[1^14. 


tuvlmliiiti  lit  the  scat  nf  ({iivcl'niui'llt.  The 
Vinlcnt    lliistipll    llll'll,  wild,   iVdlll    tllllt    foclIM 

of  (iu'tiiiii,  n('ii(!nit('il  till!  <'(iiivi'iitii>ii,  itiiil 
lilli'il  tin-  iMiliIii'  |iriiitH  with  cxiispcrution, 
to  ili'iiicli'  till-  |i('ii|(l(',  wi>ro  no  (loiilit  coii- 
ti'ollcil  liy  till'  solicr  in(l;;iiii'nt  of  tlioMo  of 
C!oiiiii'clii'iit ;  luiil  tlirir  iiroiccdinir.x  iip|ii'iir 
toiii|MTi''l  with  iim'X|M«i't('il  iiioilcratiiiii.  Sl'- 
jiiirutioii  froiii  till"  I'nioii,  far  from  hfin;;  iw- 
I'oiiiiiK'inlcil,  is  hut  roin./ti'ly  iilliuli'd  to. 
t.'i\il  will-  is  |ircvi'iiti'il,  not  hy  its  iiisti- 
f^iitors,  hut  hy  the  jieojilo;  so  that  the  for- 
mer lire  cutith'il  to  t\ono  of  the  merit  of 
moderation.  Their  very  report  will,  in  after 
day,  eover  them  with  shame  and  I'onfusiiui. 
Their  party  manifesto  shown  them  unlit  to 
))('  trusted  with  iiower." 

Kmlicddeiicd  hy  .Jackson's  victories  at 
New  Orleans,  and  more  excited  than 
nlarmed  hy  the  Hartford  Convention,  on  its 
report  to  the  liceishituro  (d'.Massaidiusetts, 
«T(din  ll'dnu's  muih^  tin;  last  of  those  re- 
mar!;aldi'  speeidies  hy  which  in  the  Senate 
of  thi.t  State  he  hidilly  relinked  its  vapitl 
anti-f'deralism.  "Afraid  to  ovi^rthrow  tho 
Constitution,"  saul  he,  "you  try  to  under- 
mine it  hy  pretence  of  amendment.  Vou 
called  it  perfect  whili!  you  were  //( //((//.  The 
friends  of  peace,  dindarin;;  that  the  country 
cuuld  not  lie  kicked  into  war,  forced  it  on  ; 
and  failing;  to  repossess  thi'iiisidvcs  of  the 
nJmini«itration,  triml  to  destroy  tho  {;ov(>rn- 
ineut.  An  unauthori/.ed  and  unconstitu- 
tioiuil  assemhla;;o  at  Ifartford,  ari!  to  chan;;'e 
a  Constitution  declared  unfit  for  either  war 
or  jieace,  Imt  which  you  dare  not  attack 
openly.  The  leadinj^  paper  of  your  party, 
wlio.st'  editor  as  a  niemlier  of  this  le;;ishi- 
ture  voted  for  tho  deh'jiates,  has  opiuily  and 
uniformly  deidared  that  there  must  lie  ro- 
drt'ss,  even  hy  violence  and  resistance. 
But  violence  is  dan^jerous,  and  therefore 
you  undermine  hy  altm-aticms.  Opposition 
provoked  tho  war  anil  protracts  it.  Tho 
enemy  takes  possession  of  a  larjje  extent 
of  your  country.  Instead  of  expellinj;  him 
from  it,  you  appoint  a  convention  to  divide 
tho  States,  unless  you  aro  permitted  to  rule 
thorn.  'J'lie  llartfcu'd  Convention  exjdodod 
in  a  mission  to  Washin;;ton.  If  (ircat 
Britain  has  not  lost  conlidenco  in  Massa- 
chusetts, scoldinj;;,  throatenine;,  vaporinf;;, 
Cva|ioratin)j;,  sho  prolonj^s  tho  war,  but  that 
is  all.  She  nnikos  tho  war  disastrous,  and 
calls  it  dis;^racoful,  which  dishonors  the 
enemy  sho  courts.  Amid  all  its  atro(;ious 
Vandalism,  which  of  you  has  over  douhtod 
that  En;^laud  is  in  the  ri^ht'/  If  there  is  such 
a  one,  I  am  ready  to  ask  his  pardon.  You 
accuse  tho  late  President  .Jeflorson  of  caus- 
ing tho  war  and  defonJing  it.  But  why 
excuse  his  predocessor,  President  Adams, 
■>vho  still  more  vigorously  defends  the  war, 
and  -vviiom  you  consider  ten  times  worse 
timn  Jefferson.  You  oltject  to  defendinji; 
liouisiana,  wdiich  all  your  party  wanted  to 
tftko  by  force  from  iSpaiu,  to  rush  iuto 


invasion  and  war,  but  which,  peacoahiy  ac- 
oulred  by  purchase,  you  will  not  defend. 
After  duping  England  into  tho  war,  you 
Continue  to  deceive  lu^r;  you  dupe  lier 
again  by  adulation  of  our  common  enemy, 
ami  re]iroacii  of  our  (ieneral  (Joveniment. 
'i'he  war  has  been  as  useful  and  glorious  as 
that  of  the  lievolutiou,  and  eventually  will 
be  so  recogni/ed,  Bur  Alassachusetts  mu»t 
join  it,  or  all  the  disgrace  will  hi;  hers." 

AVhilo    tlu!    Executive   organ,  as   lieforo 
mentiotu'd.   pronounced    the  Convention'.') 
ohitiniry,  the  administration  had  been  fon;- 
casting  means  to  put  an  end  to  it  peaceablv, 
and  even  gloriously,  if  possible,  but  forcibly 
if  necessary,  and  at  all  events;  which  was 
Monroe's  master-stroke,  the  bright  thought 
of  a  not  brilliant,  but  thiu'ough  statesnnin; 
who  united  with  the  capital  design  id'  con- 
quering Canada  in  Xova  Scotia,  its  aidiieve- 
ment  by  the  very  revoltors  of  New  Kngland, 
converted  from  conspirators  or  traitors  to 
patriots   and  volunteers,  by  seducing   the 
llartibrd  Convention  thonis(dves  to  annex 
the  Uriti.di  possessions  in  North  America 
to  their  own,  thus  rendering  the  Eastern 
States  preponderant  in  the  I'nion,  and  the 
greatest  maritime  community  in  the  world. 
If  the  energy  and  ingenuity  of  tlanr  peo- 
ple,   instead    of    b'oing    misdirected    and 
wasted,  had   from   the   beginning  of    tho 
war  lieon  bestowed  on  the  annexation  of 
Canada,  Now  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia 
to  New  England,  (ireat  Britain  might  have 
ceased  to  bo  the  mistress  of  the  ocean,  and 
the  North-eastern  posses.sions  of  the  I'nited 
States  have  more  than  countei')K)ised  end 
surpassed  all  their  nnignittcent  South-west. 
Apprised  of  that   intrigue — shall  wo  call 
so  admirable  a  scheme  ? — at  the  tinu',  by  its 
wary  contriver,  Mr.  Monroe,  and   having 
freijuently  I'ovisod  its  circumstances  since, 
with  tho  prudent  agent  of  tho  attempt  at 
Hartford,   General    Jessup,    its   narration 
may  suggest  further  reason  why,  begun  in 
hazardous  disloyalty,  disappointed  of  expect- 
(id  co-operators,  and  countcracti'd  by  othtirs, 
finding  tho  pooiilo  averse,  alarmed  theni- 
solvcs  at  their  own  design,  and  finally  both 
undermined  and  menaced  by  government, 
consi)irators  in  the  beginning,  shrunk  from 
their  undertaking,  and  at  last  sunk  to  mere 
fellow-countrvmen  siiliciting  impracticable 
concessions,  instead  of  trying  by  force  to 
redress  inuxginary  grievances. 

For  his  liighly  distinguished  conrago, 
discretion,  and  western  patriotism,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Jessup  was  selected  from 
the  army  for  the  critical  responsibility,  by 
fixing  his  recruiting  rendezvous  at  Hart- 
ford, of  fooling,  under  that  demonstration, 
the  pulse  of  tlie  people  thoreal)outs,  should 
extreme  measures  be  suggested  by  the  Con- 
vention, opposing  them  by  force  if  necessary, 
and  if  encouraged  l)y  popular  sympathy,  dis- 
persing the  rebels.  He  was  one  of  the  ad- 
!  vocatcs  of  Wilkinson's  and  Pike's,  as  before 


[1814. 

lii'lU'i'iil.ly  ao 
1  not  (Icfciid, 
thu  wiir,  you 

■(III    (lll|i('     \WT 

niiiiiii  riu'iny, 

(idvciimiciit. 

ml  ;j;l(H'i(iiis  in 

vciitimlly  will 

cluiScttS   lIUK-jt 

1  1k!  hci'M." 
nil,  iiH  Iteforn 
Couvciitiiiii'.s 
mil  |j(M'n  foro 
)  it  jiciK't'sililv, 
(',  hilt  f'orcihly 
s ;  Avliicii  WiiM 
ri;!;lit  tli()ii;>;lit 
j;h  Ntiiti'siMiiii; 

lo.sifill    of   CHJIl- 

11,  its  iicliii'vo- 
S'uw  Kiijihiiul, 
or  traitors  to 
soducin;^    the 

Ives    to    UIUU'X 

ortli  Anu'rioii 
•;  tlio  Kasteru 
nion,  and  the 

ill  the  world. 

of  tlanr  poo- 
diroctt'd  aiul 
iniiijj;  of  tho 
iniifxation  of 

Nova  Scotia 
in  ini}i;ht,  have 
he  ocean,  ami 
(if  the  United 
terjioised  imd 
it  ,S(iutli--\vest. 
-hIuiII  wo  call 
he  time,  by  its 
,  and  havin<» 
stanccH  yinco, 
!io  attempt  at 
its  narration 
vliy,  lK'n;un  in 
ntcdofoxpect- 
L-tedliy  others, 
larnied  tliem- 
id  finally  both 
{  f^overnmeut, 
;,  shrunk  from 
sunk  to  mere 
impracticable 
g  by  force  to 

ihed  courage, 
riotism.  Lieu- 
selected  from 
lonsibilitv,  by 
vous  at  Ilart- 
emonstration, 
ibouts,  should 
edby  tlioCon- 
!e  if  necessary, 
sympathy,  dis- 
one  of  the  ad- 
ko's,  as  before 


CUAP.  X.] 


JESSUP'S  MISSION'. 


mentioned,  plan  of  a  Ilalifiix  i-ainpai>;n : 
instead  of  wiistinj;  etl'ort.s  on  tiie  extremities 
(if  Hritisii  AiiK'rican  power,  to  strike  at  its 
licud,  which,  if  tak(Mi,  would  brini^  with  it 
the  limlis ;  and  even  us  a  mere  demonstra- 
tion, do  more  than  all  the  State  trooiis 
that  all  the  States  could  raise  to  ndievetlie 
Atlantic  shores  and  cities  from  hostile  deso- 
lation. This  plan,  rejected  by  Kiistis,  and 
not  ailojited,  (»r  deferred,  by  Arnistroiij;, 
w.'.s  warmly  espoused  )ty  Monroe,  who,  liy 
II  masterly  stroke  of  ]i(dicy,  resolve(l  to 
coniljine,  with  the  expulsion  of  tin;  IJritish 
i'roin  America,  the  circumvention  and  con- 
version oi"  the  F.astern  !nah!ontents  to  its 
Ui'iievemeiit,  by  inducements  which  it  was 
believed  they  would  aopreciate.  AVitli  forci- 
ble repr(>ssion  of  their  resistance,  if  need 
be,  ilessup  was  to  seduce  some  of  the  lead- 
in;:'  men  to  an  admirabh^plan  for  rectifying 
and  a;;grandi/.ing  New  England.  After 
long  confidential  oral  instructions  for  both 
these  |iurposes  from  the  Secretary  of  AVar 
and  the  I'resitbnit,  Colonel  Jessuji  repaired 
to  his  martial  diplomacy,  deemed  iiioro 
ha/.ardoiis  than  the  fields  of  Chit-'pewa  or 
liridgewater. 

The  ''resident  and  Mr.  Monroo  were 
unoasv  at  the  threatening  r  ;ipearances 
of  the  Hartford  Convention,  as  resolvd 
at  llostoii,  by  tho  Lc^gislaturo  of  Massa- 
chusetts. The  coiitidentiul  and  perilous 
mission  of  counteracting  it,  by  force,  if 
need  be,  it  was  deeuietl  best  not  to  im])ose 
on  tieiieral  Dearborn  or  General  Cushing, 
both  New  Fiiigland  men,  but  to  select 
an  officer  from  another  part  of  the  e(um- 
try.  nd  who  had  served  gallantly  with  a 
Ne\\  ihigland  regiment.  It  was  intended, 
however,  that  (ienerul  Dearliorn  should  col- 
lect a  force  at  (Irecnbush,  in  New  York, 
and  co-operate  with  Jessup,  in  the  event  of 
resort  to  force,  in  which  contlict  (iovornor 
Tonikins  would  have  taken  an  active  part. 
tJreat  conlidence  was  entertained  that  any 
attempt  at  forcible  resistance  would  be  easily 
subdued,  as  the  ])ody  of  tho  [ie(jple  of  New 
Kuglaiid  apjieared  to  be  disgusted  with  the 
Hartford  Convention,  and  numbers  of  young 
Federalists  were  applying  for  coinmissions 
in  the  army.  After  a  short  stay  at  New 
York,  to  confer  with  Governor  Tomkins, 
Colonel  Jessup  proceeded  as  far  as  New 
Haven,  but  not  to  Hartford,  till  assured 
that  his  appearance  there  would  not  be 
suspected.  A  secret  agent  from  Hartford 
met  him  at  N'ow  Haven,  and  conferred  with 
him  as  to  w'liat  was  best  to  do. 

On  his  way  to  his  post,  Lieut.-Colonel 
Jessup  wrote,  on  tho  10th  of  December, 
1814,  from  New  York  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  INIonroe:— "I  have  had  several  con- 
ferences with  Gov.  Tomkins.  He  thinks 
tho  Convention  will  complain,  remonstrate, 
and  probably  address  tho  people;  but  that 
its  proceedings  will  ueither  result  in  an 
attempt  to  sever  the  Unii^n,  nor  iu  a  deter- 


minati.iii  to  resist  by  force  the  nn  asuns  uf 
the  (ieiieral  ( ioveninieiit.  From  iiifoiiiia- 
tioii  whi(di  1  liavi!  derived  from  se\erul 
friends  (d'  the  I'nioii,  in  Connecticut,  I  am 
inclined  to  the  same  o]iinioM.  It  is  a  fact, 
however,  that  there  are  men  who  Would  bo 
willing  to  go  all  lengths  in  favor  of  llritisli 
|iretensioiis  and  IJritish  views;  but,  I'or- 
tunat(dy  Ibi"  the  nation,  the  leading  Federal- 
ists, particularly  in  lioston,  have  not  tho 
inlluence  attached  to  talents  and  chi'raeter, 
but  that  only  which  accompanies  wealth. 
They  ar(^  men  of  calculation,  and  an!  all 
aware  that  a  single  hour  of  revolution  may 
deprive  them  of  Ibrluiu!  and  its  I'tinseipieiit 
iniluenc(>.  I  will  take  occasion  to  jiass 
through  Connecticut  during  the  first  days 
(jf  the  sitting  of  the  Convention.  The  ex- 
citement of  the  public  mind  will  then  be  at 
the  highest  pitcli,  audi  shall  be  better  able 
to  judge  of  the  sentiments  of  the  neitp'o  ■<<; 
large.  Ilest  assured  that  no  exertio' 
be  wanting  on  my]>art  to  forward  t'  ivc- 
of  th(!  government."  From  New  H  ,» op,  . 
tli(!  loth  of  December,  l!Sl4,  he  ^\\\>l 
"The  Convention  which  meets  lo-'^' 
Hartford,  will  sit,  I  am  lidd,  with  i-e  i 
doors.  I  am  astonished  at  the  little  .i  ■  .-.u 
excited  by  the  meeting.  It  is  jiroliable, 
however,  that  their  ((uarters  will  be  made 
jiretty  warm  before  the  close  of  tln^  session  ; 
for,  although  tlusy  have  a  majority  of  tho 
voters  in  this  State,  there  is  a  majority  of 
the  fighting  nuMi  in  favor  of  the  government. 
1  think  it  would  have  a  good  effect  to  give 
lirevets  to  Caiitains  Howard,  Heed  and 
White,  of  the  twenty-fifth  rcgiiiumt.  They 
have  powerful  influence  here,  and  I  believe 
are  able  uiid  willing  to  render  esscuitial 
services  to  gov(H'niiient.  The  two  first  were 
highly  distinguished  on  the  5th  of  July, 
nnd  the  latter  on  the  Sotli.  I  expect  in- 
formation from  Hartford  to-morrow,  when 
I  w'ill  write  again,  should  anything  of  im- 
portance have  occurred." 

Mixing  freely  with  people  of  all  classes, 
i;specially  tho  disaflectod,  and  above  all,  the 
Connecticut  delegates  to  the  Convention, 
whose  good  will  he  courted  by  conciliatory 
conduct,  strict  discipline,  and  repressing  the 
aggressive  disposition  of  his  officers  and 
soldiers,  Colonel  Jessup,  ingratiating  him- 
self with  some  already  well-disposed,  soon 
ascertained  that  the  Connecticut  members 
of  the  Convention  were  opposed  to  disunion 
or  disorder,  that  every  throb  of  the  people's 
heart  was  American,  and  that  if  blood  was 
spilt,  it  would  be  for  tho  country,  tho  go- 
vernment, and  the  Avar,  rather  than  against 
them.  A  small,  but  resolute  minority, 
avowedly  supporting  the  war  and  the  Unit- 
ed States  government,  held  a  meeting  by 
delegates  at  Hartford,  during  the  session  of 
the  legislature,  introducing  tho  Convention 
there,  and  protested  against  their  acts  as 
more  for  their  own  than  national  interest 
in  a  State,  the  advocate  of  order,  by  a  legis- 


1(1 


tj; 

■itr 

Hf 

.■ 

1? 

1 1'    • 

■*!  ■ 

!••■;' 
1!.  ■ 

m 


'M- 


''*<$M 


236 


CHAUXCEY  GOODRICH. 


[1814. 


|r  y-,  •■> 


if^\''5'^  I 


II-  • '  ■ 

fi,:  v  ' 

!»■    '■ 

But  ltt*.L  Vll 


lativo  act  hriiiKiiiK  itfiolf  into  direct  conflict 
with  an  nnportant  national  law.  Tlio  law 
called  nnconstitutional.  authorizes  the  en- 
listment of  minors ;  so  do  the  law  and 
practice  of  Connecticut ;  who,  liy  a  recent 
provision  of  the  State,  may  he  compelled, 
conscribed,  and  marched  out  of  the  State  on 


and  unequivocal.  Together  with  inj:;rain 
republicanism,  a  feelinj];  of  at  least  Ame- 
rican independence  of,  if  not  aversion  to, 
the  English,  pervaded  the  mass  of  the  popu- 
lation. The  Montreal  Journal,  of  the  I4th 
January,  1815,  published:  "It  is  said  the 
Hartford  Convention  has  broken  up:  it  ap- 


foreign  service.  The  national  is  the  su-  j  pears  to  bo  a  kind  of  bugl)ear  to  frigliten 
preme  law,  paramount  to  that  of  the  State ;  ' 
and  surely  may  enact  what  tiio  State  law 
does  to  raise  troops  for  the  country.  Then, 
as  alwaj's,  there  was  an  intrepid  minority, 
determined  and  able  to  spread  ligiit  before 
tlie  community,  who,  in  case  of  actual  col- 
lision, would  have  been  a  loyal  majority. 
Of  that  minority,  Mr.  John  Nilcs,  the 
present  Senator,  was  an  active  Avriting 
member. 

Disorganizers,  perhaps  some  traitors,  and 
at  any  I'ate  speculators  on  public  necessities 
and  miseries,  there  were,  with  numerous 
factionists  and  fault-finders.  But  the  great 
body  of  the  people,  of  all  classes  and.  par- 
ties, Tessup  found  American  republicans, 
however  federal  or  inimical  to  the  national 


the  nationiil  government,  and  deceive  the 
British.  Its  sittings  had  been  secret.  The 
members  had  summoned  two  or  three 
preachers,  or  father  confessors,  whoso  dis- 
courses will  preface  their  resolutions.  But, 
like  Jesuits,  they  will  keep  the  whole  under 
the  rose  until  a  fit  moment  to  develop  their 
solemn  designs.  All  may  rest  assured 
those  designs  are  not  favoraldc  to  Britain. 
If  they  hear  of  a  rich  prize  brought  into 
port  by  a  federal  privateer,'  they  will  set 
their  principal  preachers  to  work  in  tho 
cause  of  praise  and  admiration  of  just  and 
no))le  deeds.  They  who  can  prove  that  the 
people  of  New  England  arc  better  friends 
to  old  England  than  they  Avere  in  lli't,  ' 


them  come   forward  and   do   so ; 


let 
but  wo 


Executive,  still  instinctively  and  inflexibljr   must  have  more  substantial  evidence  than 
faithful  to  their  country;  .and,  indeed,  suspi-  "-         "^      ^'       "  " 

cious  of  a  secret,  ill-reputed  and  portentous 
Convention  to  disturb  it.  Bj'  daily  letters  to 
Washington,  Cohmel  Jessup  informed  tho 
Secretary  of  War  of  this  state  of  things, 
and  that  at  least  one  member  of  the  Con- 
vention itself  listened  favor.ably  to  his  coun- 
terplot. T!io  citizens  of  Connecticut,  who 
opposed    Madison's    administration,   wore 


comes  from  the  lips  of  many  among  us, 
who  are,  perhaps,  sincere  in  what  they 
advance."  The  Hartford  Convention,  the 
extremest  resort  of  Eastern  disaffection, 
served  tho  country,  at  least,  in  disalnising 
the  English  government  and  its  agents, 
pensioned  to  dismember  the  Union,  by  con- 
vincing thorn  that  tho  mass  of  the  American 
people,  of  all  parties,  had  been  dragooned 
filiations  ofthooi'iginal Federal  part}', which  I  by  England  into  self-preservation  by  union 
twentv-fivo  years  before  i-atified  the  present  under  any  government  rather  than  risk  de- 
Constitution  ofthe  United  States;  which  was,  I  struction  by  English  alliance.  A  Halifax 
in  ISl  l,upheld  morezoalously  by  thodescen-  'journal,  of  tho  30th  December,  1814,  argued 
dants  of  those  who,  in  1788,  by  public  meet-  \  for  peace,  that  "  tho  American  legislature, 
ings,  conventions,  and  other  demonstrations  ]  by  passing  the  conscription  bill,  have  placed 


of  popular  opposition,  rejected  it,  with  tho 
assumption  of  state  debts,  funding  system, 
order  of  Cincinnati,  and  other  measures  of 
the  Federalists  of  that  period,  become  anti- 
federal  in  1814.  As  regarded  the  Federal 
Government,  parties  had  changed  places: 


Croat  power  in  the  hands  of  the  President. 
Though  nominally  an  act  for  establishing 
a  militia  force  for  tho  defence  of  the  fron- 
tiers, it  has  evidently  a  view  of  draining  the 
different  States  and  territories,  and  greatly 
strengthening  the  disposable  force  of  the 


Connecticut,  anti-federalists  in  1814,  hoing  j  general  government,  which  could  be  effected 


the  federal  majority  of  1788.  Still,  of  a  largo 
majority  in  1814,  become  anti-federal  as  far 
as  opposition  to  the  war  and  Madison's  war 
construction  of  tho  Constitution,  but  fow 
among  them  were  disposed  to  take  up  amis 
against  the  war,  destroy  the  Constitution, 
and  plunge  the  country  in  civil  sanguinary 
strife,  merely  to  rid  themselves  of  an  ob- 
noxious administration.  All  parties,  inured 
at  all  times  to  strenuous  party  contests, 
hard  words,  and  proscription,  were  still 
unwilling  from  words  to  proceed  to  blows. 
The  sheet  anchor  by  which  tho  American 
people  are  held  fast  to  tho  rock  of  one  and 
the  same  vital  nationality  is  colonial,  an- 
cestral, sempiternal,  and  universal  republi- 
can attachments. 

English  hostile  testimony  to  tho  honor  of 
Eastern  Americanism,  was  frequent,  public, 


by  no  other  means.  This  measure  seems, 
therefore,  to  be  a  palpable  hit  at  tho  Con- 
vention of  the  Eastern  States  ;  for  without 
an  independent  army  under  their  command, 
their  inflated  resolves  are  littlo  better  than 
waste  paper." 

Chauncey  Goodrich,  with  James  Ilill- 
house,  and  several  other  members  of  the 
Convention,  had  mellowed  local  prejudices 
and  asperities  in  the  refining  crucible  of 
Congress ;  determined  Federalists,  but  not 
disorganizers  ;  and  without  infidelity  to  his 
trust  in  the  Convention,  Goodrich  particu- 
larly encouraged  Jessup's  advances.  Ac- 
cording to  his  instructions.  Colonel  Jessup 
imparted  cautiously  to  Mr.  Goodrich  tho 
scheme  of  a  great  expedition  from  New 
England  for  tho  capture  of  Halifax  by,  and 
for,  the  Eastern  people ;  tho  certainty  that 


I 


[1814. 

with  inf];rain 
at  least  Amc- 
)t  aversion  to, 
ss  of  the  popn- 
al,  of  the  14th 
It  is  said  the 
ken  up:  it  ap- 
ar  to  frigiiten 
d  deceive  the 
n  secret.  The 
two  or  three 
rs,  whoso  dis- 
lutions.  But, 
le  whole  under 
)  develop  their 

rest  assured 
iile  to  Britain. 
;  hrought  into 

they  will  set 

)  work  in  the 

on  of  just  and 

prove  that  the 

better  friends 

;re  in  1775,  let 

0  so ;  hut  wo 
evidence  than 
ny  anionp;  us, 
in  what  they 
onvention,  the 
n   disaflection, 

in  disalnisiug 
lid  its  agents, 
Union,  hy  con- 
f  the  American 
)eon  dragooned 
ation  by  union 
'r  than  risk  de- 
?e.  A  Halifax 
T,  1814,  argued 
an  legislature, 
ill,  have  placed 

the  President. 
)r  establishing 
CO  of  the  fron- 
of  draining  the 
OS,  and  greatly 
le  force  of  the 
ould  ]je  eflPoctcd 
leasure  seems, 
lit  at  the  Con- 
is  ;  for  without 
heir  command, 
ttlo  better  than 

1  J.amcs  Ilill- 
embors  of  the 
ocal  prejudicea 
ng  crucible  of 
palists,  but  not 
infidelity  to  his 
^drich  particu- 
idvances.  Ac- 
^olonel  Jessup 

Goodrich  the 
ion  from  New 
lalifax  by,  and 

certainty  that 


Chap.  X.] 


HALIFAX  CAMPAIGX. 


237 


it  would  be  undertaken  and  probably  ef- 
fected without  them,  if  they  held  oft",  and 
whether  they  joined  in  it  or  not,  should  the 
war  last  another  year;  the  honor,  glory, 
wealth,  and  prosperity  for  New  England, 
involved  in  the  movement,  by  extricating 
the  malcontents  from  their  c(iuivocal,  pain- 
ful, and  dangerous  dilemma.  The  con- 
fidence of  government  was  declared  that, 
in  spite  of  the  blind  perversity  of  the 
Eastern  oligarchy,  the  gallant  yeomanry 
of  the  Eastern  States  would  nearly  to  a 
man  rally  to  the  standard  to  be  planted  by 
them,  or  without  them,  at  Halifax.  Their 
attachment  to  union,  law,  and  order,  the 
country,  the  whole  country,  its  complete 
vindication  from  ruthless  invading  enemies, 
making  no  distinction  between  the  patriotic 
and  <lisaifeeted,  but  devastating  the  homes 
of  all  alike,  as  barliarous  in  Connecticut  in 
1814  as  they  had  been  in  1779;  part  of 
New  England,  the  only  conquered  part  of 
the  United  States,  to  be  vindicated  by  car- 
rj'ing  the  war  where  the  insolent  conquerors 
came  from — were  considerations  urged  by 
Jessup  to  Goodrich.  "A  small  cabal  of 
madmen,  shut  up  in  secret  here,  cannot 
hinder  us,"  said  he,  "from  rescuing  New 
England,  by  carrying  the  war  into  the  ene- 
my's country;  four-fifths  of  your  young 
men  in  arms  will  volunteer  for  the  expedi- 
tion. The  farmers'  sons  of  Connecticut  are 
every  hour  flocking  to  my  standard.  Before 
spring  I  shall  have  a  thousand  in  my  regi- 
ment, perfectly  drilled  and  prepared  to 
march,  wherever  led,  in  defiance  of  your 
C(mvention,  or  any  such  impediment.  We 
will  transfer  from  Old  to  New  England  the 
greatest  commercial  and  maritime  power 
on  earth  or  water,  in  spite  of  its  own  in- 
fatuated opposition."  Mr.  Goodrich  was  at 
first  incredulous.  I  know  your  President, 
said  he,  and  his  southern  associates,  having 
served  in  Congress  with  them.  They  are 
incapable  of  so  great  an  adviintage  for  the 
East.  And  besides,  if  we  should  accomplish 
it  for  them,  they  would  abandon  us  and 
give  it  up  for  peace.  Jessup  assured  him 
that  it  would  not  be  so :  but  that,  if  taken, 
Halifax  and  its  dependencies  would  be  re- 
tained and  annexed,  with  Canada,  to  New 
England.  Mr.  Goodrich's  Eastern  pride 
was  touched.  Louisburg  had  been  taken 
seventy-six  years  before  from  the  French 
by  the  people  of  the  East,  and  if  they  chose, 
he  had  no  doubt  they  could  take  llalif\xx. 
Four  hundred  miles  of  sea  coast,  with  good 
harbors  every  ton  miles  in  Maine ;  three 
hundred  miles  more  along  the  remaining 
shores  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
Khodc  Island,  and  Connecticut,  with  num- 
berless excellent  ports,  the  seafaring  popula- 
tion, enterprise,  and  uncqualcd  commercial 
skill  and  advantages  of  N^ew  England,  its 
natural  and  feasible  aggrandizement  by 
excluding  the  English  from  the  Eastern 
provinces,  whose  conquest  would  conquer 


Canada  too,  were  considerations  of  perma- 
nent benefit  to  outweigh  the  transient  an- 
noyances of  war  and  a  Southern  adminis- 
tration, which  such  increase  of  the  Eastern 
States  was  the  surest,  if  not  only,  way  to 
overcome,  by  restoring  New  England  as- 
cendency in  the  national  government.  For, 
as  in  all  American  politics,  the  future  en- 
hanced the  present.  Four  or  five  new  and 
free  X'orthern  States,  forty  or  fifty  more 
members,  with  eight  or  ten  additional  Sena- 
tors, in  Congress,  were  prospectively  more 
persuasive  than  even  the  immediate  and 
the  maritime  inducements.  New  England, 
exchanging  odious  and  unavailing  resist- 
ance for  her  large  share  of  the  glory,  and 
still  more  of  the  profits,  of  the  war,  for  all  the 
disbursements  would  be  there,  together  with 
large  military  bounties  in  land,  and  pensions 
in  money,  such  as  for  the  militia  services  of 
the  Revolution  are  lavished,  with  more  than 
monarchical  profusion;  in  short,  the  rea- 
sons for  frustrating  a  national  scission,  to 
which  Mr.  Goodrich  was  already  disinclined, 
and  promoting  a  national  result  much  more 
congenial  Avitli  his  own  feelings  and  the 
interest  of  New  England,  were  set  before 
the  Hartford  conventionalist;  and  Colonel 
Jessup  informed  liis  superiors  that  he  had 
reason  to  believe  a  favorable  impression 
had  been  made.  If  the  wonderful  future, 
since  developed  by  the  Valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, the  fiir  west,  Florida,  Texas,  New 
Mexico,  Oregon,  and  California,  could  then 
have  been  foretold,  the  political  and  goo- 
graphical  argument  would  have  been  still 
stronger  for  the  East  to  perform  the  Halifax 
campaign.  Colonel  Jessup  believed  that 
the  co-operation  of  N^ew  England  for  that 
great  Eastern  exploit  of  another  year's  hos- 
tilities might  be  expected  from  the  Hartford 
Convention  itself. 

Confidential  and  clandestine  as  this  epi- 
sode to  the  Hartford  Convention  necessarily 
was,  we  cannot  tell  whether  his  belief  was 
well  founded ;  nor  if  Chauncey  Goodrich 
ever  imparted  to  others  the  vision  sot  before 
him  of  Eastern  aggrandizement,  by  waging, 
instead  of  arresting,  that  war,  as  the  follow- 
ing enigmatical  paragraph  from  the  Boston 
Gazette  at  that  time  implied.  "  It  is  whis- 
pered that,  after  four  or  five  months'  utter 
neglect,  a  groat  expedition  is  to  be  under- 
taken, we  will  not  say  where,  lest  the  ene- 
my should  know  it.  It  is  said  the  militia 
of  Massachusetts  are  to  be  invikJ  to  achieve 
it,  without  money  or  provisions.  The  gene- 
ralissimo selected  on  this  occasion  will  be 
generally  approved,  as  he  was  among  the 
principal  promoters  of  the  war,  and  it  is 
right  he  should  have  an  opportunity  to 
signalize  himself.  A  wag,  who  is  addicted 
to  alliteration,  remarked,  that  the  only  ob- 
stacles to  its  success  were  the  want  of' 

Arts,  arms  and  ability. 
Courage,  conduct  and  credit, 
Men,  money  and  merit. 


is;^ 


lii'" 


t 


^1 


288 


COXXECTTCUT  TOLITICIAXS. 


[1814. 


:''-■■'  \-'  '   H 


l^- 


J-'i  I.  ' 


It  will  ho  poen  thnt  wo  make  no  reflections 
on  the  militia,  for  icc  arc  satisfied  they  \cill 
not  I/O." 

Between  the  Ifjtli  December,  1814,  and 
23(1  Januarj-,  1815,  Colonel!  -lessup  wrote 
daily  to  Air.  Alonroe,  to  keep  him  informed 
of  all  that  conld  be  learned  of  the  desijjns 
of  the  Convention,  mostly  sendiri";  his  let- 
ters hy  private  conveyance,  sometimes  tak- 
ing them  himself  as  far  as  New  York,  to 
Erevent  interception  and  ensure  their  un- 
nown  deliver}'.  From  all  he  could  learn, 
the  organized  proceedings  of  the  Conven- 
tion were  always  unexceptionable.  If  any- 
thing obnoxious  was  mentioned,  it  was  at 
inforniiil  and  strictly  secret  meetings.  At 
one  time  the  seizure  of  the  United  States 
armory  at  Springlield  was  said  to  bo  agi- 
tated, and  it  was  apprehended  that  if 
the  British  army,  which  struck  its  great  I 
blow  in  the  South,  had  landed  on  Long 
Island,  as  was  much  conjectured  for  a 
consideralile  time,  there  wei-c  Americans 
of  respoctaljle  standing  ready  with  that 
encouragement  to  join  the  enemy.  It 
was  confidently  l)elieved,  however,  that 
any  such  attempt  would  have  been  easily 
anil  quickly  crushed.  Garrisoned  with  seve- 
ral hundred  regular  troops,  commanded  l)y 
tried  an<l  devoted  officers,  at  Hartford,  coun- 
tenanced by  nearly  all  the  j'outhful  and 
fighting  men  of  Connecticut,  J(>ssup,  in  the 
event  of  forcible  collision,  would  have  rallied 
to  his  standard  a  greater  force  than  anj' op- 
position could  muster.  Such  conflict  with 
the  hnvful  federal  authority  would  probably 
have  proved  the  sudden  death-blow  of  revolt 
iind  disaffection,  whicli,  imbrued  in  blood, 
should  have  roused  all  the  bettor  feelings  of 
an  orderly  people ;  most  of  them  opposed  to 
Madison's  administration,  indeed,  and  dis- 
approving the  war,  but  a  large  majority  of 
them  still  more  averse  to  lawless  resistance, 
commotion  and  civil  war,  and  nearly  all  the 
young  of  all  parties  willing  to  join  the  stand- 
ard of  their  country.  The  Governor  and 
most,  if  not  all  the  Cfonnccticnt  delegates  in 
the  llartford  Convention  earnestly  depre- 
cated such  dreadful  strife,  and  would  have 
spared  no  pains  to  pi  vent  its  occurrence. 
An  educated,  well-behaved  and  intelli- 
gent population,  totally  unlike  the  boors 
and  yet  more  l)rutish  townsfolks,  of  whom 
rebels  are  made  liy  reckless  instigators  in 
Europe,  uniformly  treated  Colonel  Jessup 
with  respect  and  kindness,  which  hospitali- 
ty he  returned  by  tho  utmost  .attention,  and 
obliging  his  oflicors  to  similar  ;respect  of  all 
public  requirements,  not  incompatilde  with 
paramount  military  oldigations.  When  the 
city  of  Hartford,  pursuant  to  authority  con- 
ferred by  the  legislature,  enacted  ordi- 
nances against  tho  residence  and  •ecruiting 
of  his  regiment  there,  ho  mildly  but  firmly 
informed  Mr.  Goodrich,  the  Mayor,  that 
as  a  soldier  ho  was  imperiously  bound  to 
obey  the  orders  of  his  superior  officers. 


and  execute  tho  supremo  Inws  of  the 
United  States,  and  that  he  could  not  sul). 
mit  to  city  ordinances,  or  State  laws, 
which  contravened  such  commands;  on 
which  remonstrance,  Mr.  Goodrich  found 
means  to  suspend  tho  conflicting  local 
regulations.  The  Governor  of  the  State, 
repairing  to  Hartford,  when  the  legis- 
lature assembled  there,  in  the  beginning 
of  February,  1815,  Colonel  Jessup,  through 
a  gentleman  of  tho  governor's  circle,  in- 
quired, if  an  official  visit  from  him  and 
his  officers  would  bo  well  receivoil,  which 
being  answered  kindly,  he  went,  with 
all  his  officers  in  full  uniform,  to  pay 
tho  respect  duo  to  the  Chief  Magistrnte  of 
the  CommouAvealth,  and  was  graciously  en- 
tertained by  tho  governor,  surrounded  by 
his  council.  Colonel  Humphries,  one  of 
Washington's  aids  of  the  Revolution,  a  de- 
cided Federalist,  but,  like  his  great  leader, 
devoted  to  tho  Union,  and  who,  two  years 
afterwards,  accompanied  President  Monroe, 
on  his  eastern  tour  from  Hartford  to  Boston, 
expressed,  in  presence  of  all  those  assembled, 
tho  gratification  which  ho  felt  at  a  meeting 
between  tho  army  and  the  State  Executive, 
which,  he  said,  he  regarded  as  a  favorable 
sign.  Soon  after.  Colonel  Jessup  and  his 
officers  were  all  invited  to  a  public  ball 
at  llartford.  which  they  attended  in  full 
dress,  several  of  them  decorated  with  recent 
wounds;  the  impressions  of  all  which  inci- 
dents bruited  throughout  the  community, 
softened  many  prejudices,  and  reconciled 
numerous  converts  from  party  antagonism 
to  national  adhesion. 

Still  tho  surface  was  ruffled,  while  be- 
neath it  a  spirit  of  concord  began  to  move. 
Tho  statesmen  were  for  their  country  and 
its  union,  at  all  events.  But  the  politicians, 
that  abouiinable  category  of  disturbers  of 
tho  public  welfare,  who  by  their  craft  fill 
legislatures,  mislead  governors,  and  though 
detested  by  tho  people  at  large  of  all  parties, 
filch  and  pervert  their  sovereignty  -the  po- 
liticians were  indefatigable  in  their  con- 
trivance to  disturb  government  and  pro- 
pagate confusion.  General  Jessup's  daily 
letters  from  Hartford,  except  the  three  in- 
corporated with  my  text,  cannot  be  found. 
When  President  Adams,  in  1S28,  pro- 
claimed the  treason  of  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention, they  were  diligently  searched  for, 
as  materials  for  his  use.  There  is  reason 
to  believe  that,  passing  from  Monroe  to 
Madison,  and  by  both  considered  private 
correspondence,  they  wore  destroyed  by 
Mr.  Madison,  who  was  as  careful  to  destroy 
whatever  he  deemed  dangerous  papers,  (pa- 
pers which  ought  not  to  Ijomade  public  till 
many  years  after  they  were  written,)  as 
Mr.  Monroe  was  to  preserve  all  papers 
whatsoever.  Soon  after  tho  adjournment 
of  the  Convention,  Colonel  Jessup  wrote  to 
Mr.  Monroe,  tho  20th  January,  1815— "No 
regard  is  paid  to  the  claim  or  authority  of 


[1814. 

IflAVS      of     tllO 

could  not  sul). 
IV  Stiito  livwiJ, 
ommands ;  on 
roodricli  found 
inflictiug  local 
of  the  iStato, 
ion    the   loj^is- 

tho  lje;;'inninj; 
o.ssup,  througli 
or's  circle,  in- 
from  him  and 
eccivcd,  -which 
10  -wont,  with 
iforni,  to  pay 
■  JMagistratc  of 

graciously  on- 
surrounded  by 
phrios,  one  of 
evolution,  a  dc- 
is  great  leader, 
vho,  two  years 
sident  Afonroo, 
:ford  to  IJoston, 
loseassiMuMod, 
It  at  a  meeting 
tatc  Executive, 

as  a  favoraV)lo 
Fcssup  and  his 

a  pulilic  ball 
;ten(led  in  full 
tcdM'itli  recent 
all  which  inci- 
te conununity, 
and  reconciled 
•ty  antagonism 

fled,  while  be- 
began  to  move, 
ir  country'  and 
the  politicians, 
f  disturbers  of 
their  craft  fill 
)rs,  and  though 
;o  of  all  parties, 
jignty  — the  po- 

in  their  con- 
nent  and  pro- 
Jessup's  daily 
)t  the  three  in- 
nnot  bo  found, 
in  1S28,  pro- 
Ilartford  Con- 
Y  Roarcheil  for, 
'hero  is  reason 
3m  Monroe  to 
iidercd  private 

destroyed  by 
•oful  to  destroy 
us  papers,  (pa- 
lade  pultlic  till 
•0  written,)  as 
vc  all  papers 
}  adjournment 
essup  wrote  to 
ry,  l,sl;j_.'<No 
)r  authority  of 


Chap.  X.] 


ADJ0URX3IEXT  OF  COXYEXTION. 

-♦ — 


the  United  States.  A  soldier  was  recently 
arrested  for  debt,  and  is  now  confined  in 
jail.  Another  was  fined,  and  being  without 
funds,  was  thrown  into  prison,  where  he 
must  remain  until  tlio  fine  is  paid.  In  some 
parts  of  the  country,  suits  have  been  com- 
menced against  the  officers  for  debts  of  sol- 
diers ;  and  we  arc  threatened  daily  with  pro- 
secutions in  consequence  of  the  enlistment 
of  minors.  Tlie  legislalurc  will  commence 
in  this  city  early  in  the  next  week;  the  os- 
tensililo  object  for  which  it  is  called  is,  '  to 
take  into  consideration  flie  alarminr/  state  of 

piihlir  aJJ'airs,'  but  if  I  mistake  not,  its  real '  tual  rebellion,  or  overt  act  of  trc 
object  M'ill  be  found  to  bo  resistance  to  the    tinual   impediments     were    by 
hvAvs  of  the  Union.     The  act  authorizing  the  l  thrown  in  their  way  by  pcditicians,  in  spite 
enlistment  of  minors  will  be  a  subject  of  I  of  the  counsels  of  statesmen  and  the  Mishcs 
discussion,  and  I  have  no  doulit  measures   of  the  people. 


I'al  Constitution  to  all  the  privileges  and  im- 
munities of  !i  citizen  of  any  State.  Avas  lia- 
ble in  Connecticut  to  convictiim  without 
indictment  by  a  grand  jury,  deprived  of  the 
benefit  of  the  two  juries  to  pass  on  his  case, 
for  obeying  the  orders  of  his  superiors  givi^n 
according  to  an  .act  of  Congress,  which  ho 
and  they  were  bound  to  consider  the  su- 
premo law.  Many  other  such  vexatious 
state  and  local  regulations  beset  and  im- 
peded oflicers  of  the  United  States,  civil  as 
well  as  military,  in  the  performance  of  their 
duties  in  New  England,  where,  without  ac- 

;ison,  con- 
authority 


will  be  taken  to  prevent  its  execution.  In 
that  event,  which  course  n-ust  I  pursue? 
Shall  I  submit  or  resist?  Should  there  be 
an  attempt  (which  I  think  not  unlikeh-)  to 
seize  the  public  stores,  my  course  is  a  plain 
one ;  and  whatever  jnay  bo  the  conseriuencos 
to  myself,  I  will  raise  such  ii  storm  as  this 
country  has  never  witnessed,  and  which  in 
its  course  shall  overwhelm  all  those  turbu- 
lent demagogues  who  are  laboring  to  over- 
turn the  government.  The  recruiting  ser- 
vice has  lieen  attended  with  more  success 
than  I  anticipated.  I  have  but  few  officers, 
however,  and  some  of  them  arc  wounded. 
Officers  .alone  are  wanted  to  enable  me  to 
com]dete  the  regiment." 

February  P.d,  1815,  from  Hartford  Colonel 
Jossup  sent  Mr.  IMonroo  a  copy  of  the  act 
of  the  Connecticut  Legislature  on  the  sub- 
ject of  minors,  enacted  there  the  day  before ; 
which  declared  the  power  assumed  by  Con- 
gress of  removing  the  legal  disability  of 
minors  to  make  contracts,  and  investing 
them  with  that  capacity,  in  order  to  enable 
them  to  enlist  into  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  repugnant  to  the  spirit  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
an  unauthorized  interference  with  the  laws 
and  rights  of  that  State ;  that  any  person 

Sersuading  a  minor  to  depart  from  the 
tate  with  intent  to  enlist  into  the  army 
of  the  United  States,  without  the  consent  of 
his  parent,  guardian  and  master,  on  convic- 
tion before  the  Superior  Court,  should  lie 
sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  not  exceeding  S?500, 
and  to  bo  imprisoned  not  exceeding  a  year; 
that  any  person  so  enlisting  and  enticing  a 
minor  out  of  the  State  should  pay  i?500 ; 
that  any  one  advertising,  or  suffering  to  bo 
posted  on  his  house  an  advertisement,  for 
such  enlistment  of  a  minor,  should  be  fined 
not  exceeding  $100,  and  imprisoned  for  not 
more  than  thi'ce  months ;  and  the  State's 
attornej's  were  directed  to  prosecute  by  in- 
formation all  breaches  of  that  act. 

Thus  Colonel  Jessup,  a  Itizen  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  every  other  citiz  :>n  of  any  other 
State,  commissioned  by  the  1  '^nited  States  as 
an  officer  of  the  army,  entitl  !d  by  the  Fede- 


An  act  of  Congress  for  the  enlistment  of 
minors  is  so  unrpiestionably  constitutional 
that  it  was  a  narrow  and  false  postulate  for 
resistance.  If  Congress  had  enacted  the 
classification  bill,  that,  Avith  the  odium  of 
French  conscription,  might  have  sufficed, 
especially  as  the  Legislature  of  (^'onneclicut 
had  almost  unanimously  resolved  to  resist 
it.  The  worst  intent  of  the  Hartford 
Convention  was  not  immediate  revolt  by 
any  overt  i;,ct  of  treason.  American  ab- 
horrence of  English  law  of  treason  and  its 
atrocious  judicial  enforcement,  having  ren- 
dered levying  war  indispensable  to  make 
a  traitor,  no  such  immediate  resort  was  con- 
templated probably  by  the  most  treache- 
rous. The  plan  was  more  subtle  and  not 
less  ingenious.  It  might  have  led  to  civil 
strife,  dissolution  of  the  Union,  separate 
peace  and  alliance  with  the  enemy,  Avithout 
American  treason,  though,  ac(iir<ling  to 
English  laAv,  and  particularly  that  lately  en- 
acted for  Ireland,  there  was  treason  enough 
for  the  execution  of  many  traitors.  But  all 
the  Hartford  ConAxntion  designed  Avas  first 
to  demand  the  taxes  from  the  national  go- 
A'crnmcnt,  if  refused  to  seize  them  by  act 
of  State  legislature,  protected  by  a  State 
army,  by  A\hich  crafty  method  of  giving  aid 
and  comfort  to  the  enemy,  it  Avas  possible  to 
put  an  end  to  the  Union  and  the  Avar  Avith- 
out  striking  an  armed  bloAv  at  either. 

On  the  5th  January,  1815,  the  Hartford 
Convention  broke  up  in  ignominious  con- 
clusion, by  a  formal  adjournment.  The 
Boston  Patriot,  on  the  21st  of  that  month, 
announced  that  the  aristocratic  faction  of 
Boston,  having  lost  all  hopes  of  dictating  to 
the  Union,  preferred  a  secure  dominion  in 
New  England,  shorn  of  half  her  strength, 
and  all  her  glory,  to  continuing  longer  a 
despised  and  suspected  minority  under  the 
General  Government.  The  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts,  hoAvever,  still  at  least  en- 
deavoring to  dictate  to  the  Union,  on  the 
24th  January,  1815,  sanctioned  the  report 
of  a  committee  ratifying  the  proceedings  of 
the  Hartford  Convention,  and  applauding 
their  devotion  to  the  Union ;  pursuant  to 


:  *.  t 
'ill 


,1  1 


-U 


■f 


!  .     Ml 


•'i; 


<fi40 


DELEGATES  TO  WASHINGTON. 

— *— 


[1814. 


;tl! 


the  recommen  Jations  of  which  report,  on  the 
27  th  of  that  month,  it  was  resolved  that  the 
governor  should  appoint,  and  instruct  us  he 
tlioiKjht  pfopo;  commissioners  to  proceed 
immediately  to  the  scat  of  government,  to 
make  earnest  application  for  some  arrange- 
ment whereby  the  State,  separatel}',  or  in 
concert  with  neighboring  States,  might  be 
enabled  to  assume  the  defence  of  their  ter- 
ritories against  the  enemy,  and  to  that  end 
that  a  reasonable  portion  of  the  taxes  col- 
lected within  said  States  might  bo  paid  into 
their  respective  treasuries,  and  appropri- 
ated to  pay  the  balance  due  to  tiiem,  and 
for  their  future  defence;  the  amount  to 
be  credited,  and  disbursements  charged  to 
the  United  States.  Accordingly,  Governor 
Strong  commissioned  Harrison  Gray  Otis, 
William  Sullivan  and  Thomas  Handiside 
Periiins,  to  whom  Connecticut  added  Calvin 
Goddard  and  Nathaniel  Terr}',  to  proceed 
on  that  still  mysterious  embassy  to  Wash- 
ington. Their  instructions  were  never  pub- 
lished beyond  their  direction  to  make  the  in- 
solent and  dismembering  application  for  as 
much  of  the  national  taxes  as  would  pay  the 
militia  who  had  been  refused  for  the  nation, 
and  the  State  troops  to  be  levied  to  oppose  it. 
To  what  branch  of  government,  whether  the 
legislative  or  the  executive,  that  applica- 
tion was  to  bo  made,  was  not  specified,  and 
was  immaterial,  as  neither  Congress  r.or  the 
President  had  cither  jiower  or  inclination 
to  grant  what  would  have  undone  both  and 
the  Union  altog'^thor.  The  mission  was  the 
precursor  of  ulterior  measures  threatened, 
however  indistinctly,  in  the  pi;blished  re- 
port of  the  Hartford  Convention,  some  of 
whose  members  no  doubt  had  correspond- 
ents in  Congress. 

The  day  of  its  final  adjournment,  an  omi- 
nous letter  from  Washington,  of  the  5th 
of  January,  1815,  appeared  in  the  Ba"^i- 
more  Federal  Gazette,  darklv  hinting  "  u 
explosion  at  hand — that  the  President  would 
bo  called  on  to  resign ;  and  there  must  be 

i)cace  by  that  or  a  future  administration." 
j'rom  the  time  that  the  Senate  refused,  at 
the  dictation  of  the  Federalists,  to  elect  Ru- 
fus  King,  on  Gerry's  death,  to  the  acting 
vice-presidency,  as  presiding  officer  of  the 
Senate,  the  opposition  assumed  a  bold  tone 
of  defiance,  as  if  denied  the  right  they  pre- 
tended to  bo  entitled  to  of  sharing  in  the 
government,  and  the  direction  of  all  its  mea- 
sures. The  Convention,  which,  from  Hart- 
ford, suggested  envoys  to  Washington,  to 
demand  a  separate  adminis' ration  for  the 
East,  recommended  anothe:  and  ulterior 
convention  to  be  appointed  by  the  Massa- 
chusetts Legislature,  in  the  succeeding 
June,  if  the  requirements  of  the  first  Con- 
vention should  not  be  granted.  Some  of 
its  surviving  members,  many  years  after- 
wards, controverting  Mr.  Adams'  imputa- 
tion of  treasonable  designs,  excused  a  se- 
cond convention,  as,  by  holding  out  pros- 


pects of  lawful  relief,  it  might  repress  public 
excitement,  and  prevent  sudden  popular 
outbi'caks;  ascribing  to  the  people  that 
excited  and  dangerous  temper  which  they 
instigated,  but  the  people  generally  did 
not  participate.  No  second,  eventual  con- 
vention was  attempted,  to  execute  the  omi- 
nous projects  of  the  first,  which  expired  in 
disappointment,  darkness,  and  confusion. 
In  the  gloom  of  the  doubts  shrouding  all 
their  jirococdings,  both  conventions,  and 
their  designs  and  envoys,  with  their  in- 
structions, were  buried  altogether  in  obli- 
vious ignominy.  But  the  first  convention 
was  certainly  only  the  stepping-stone  to 
another;  and  the  requirement  of  the  first 
for  consent  to  its  demand  of  separate  go- 
vernment could  hardly  fail  to  superinduce 
ultimate  insistanec  on  virtual,  if  not  violent, 
dissolution  of  the  Union.  The  legislative 
premises  of  the  first  denounced  the  Con- 
stitution as  unfit  for  either  war  or  peace,  and 
unsusceptible  of  timely  amendment ;  and  the 
crisis  as  superinducing  the  law  of  necessity 
above  all  other  law,  when  the  people  them- 
selves must  cut  a  Gordian  knot,  whicli  could 
be  done  only  with  the  sword.  Government, 
refusing  such  demand  for  its  dismember- 
ment, would  have  been  the  occasion  for  the 
ulterior  convention  to  proclaim  forcible 
withdrawal  of  the  taxes  and  organization 
of  the  army  of  Massachusetts,  negotiation 
of  a  separate  peace,  and  then  alliance  with 
England,  if  not  a  northern  confederacy  with 
the  British  provinces,  under  the  guaranty 
of  Great  Britain. 

The  explosion  predicted  by  the  Baltimore 
letter,  by  means  of  eompulsory  change  of  ad- 
ministration and  peace,  simultaneous  with 
the  mission  from  Boston  to  Washington, 
foreshadowed  designs  of  disorganization 
which  could  leave  no  alternative  but  the 
national  government  capitulating  with  Mas- 
sachusetts, by  allowing  the  revoltcrs  what 
they  demanded,  or  their  taking  by  force 
what  was  refused  by  arrangement.  An 
Eastern  fraction  of  government,  in  cither 
event,  was  inevitable,  if  the  disorganizers 
persevered  in  their  plan. 

To  that  result  Eastern  disaffection  tended, 
whether  wilfully  or  not ;  it  must  have  been 
the  end.  Opposition  to  the  embargo  chiefly 
caused  the  war.  Mr.  Adams'  advice  to 
President  Juuerson,  in  1808,  substituting 
the  restrictive  system  for  embargo,  was  the 
first  step  in  concession,  followed  by  the  rest. 
The  mission,  in  1815,  was  the  last  move- 
ment p  -eceding  blows,  of  which  the  pro- 
posed separate  government  for  New  Eng- 
land vx\j  t  have  been  the  ulterior  comple- 
ment. 

The  Massachusetts  mission,  dictated  by 
the  Hartford  Convention,  to  Washington, 
was  countenanced  by  many  of  the  Federal 
journals  out  of,  as  well  as  in,  Nevr  England, 
sedulously  inculcating  that  no  peace  could 
be  made  while  Madison  was  President; 


[1814. 

repress  public 
iddcn  popular 
0   people   that 
ler  Avhicli  tlioy 
generally   did 
,  eventual  con- 
:ecuto  the  omi- 
lich  expired  in 
md  eonfusion. 
shrouding  all 
ivcntions,  and 
with  their  in- 
l^ether  in  obli- 
rst  couventiuu 
pping-stoue  to 
>nt  of  the  first 
)f  separate  go- 
to superinduce 
1,  if  not  violent, 
The  legislative 
.need  the  Con- 
xr  or  peace,  and 
dmcnt ;  and  the 
aw  of  necessity 
10  people  tliem- 
ot,  which  could 
.   Government, 
its  disi)ien»l)cr- 
)Ccasion  for  the 
iclaim    forcible 
d  organization 
tts,  negotiation 
n  alliance  with 
nfcdcracy  with 
r  the  guaranty 

f  the  Baltimore 
•y  change  of  ad- 
ultaneous  with 
o  Washington, 
lisorganization 
■native  but  the 
iting  with  Mas- 
revolters  what 
iking  by  force 
.ngoment.  An 
iient,  in  either 
)  disorganizers 

ffection  tended, 
nust  have  been 
imbargo  chiefly 
ims'  advice  to 
8,  substituting 
ibargo,  was  the 
ved  by  the  rest. 

the  last  movc- 
vvhich  the  pro- 

for  New  Eng- 
Iterior  coniple- 

on,  dictated  by 
0  Washington, 
of  the  Federal 
,  New  Ilngland, 
no  peace  could 
Fas  President; 


Chap.  X.] 


VICTORY  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 


241 


wherefore  it  was  indispensable  to  the  safe- 
ty, if  not  salvation  of  the  country,  that  he 
sliould  bo  removed  from  office.  "  'I'he  great- 
est curse  tliat  can  befall  the  nation  is  a  jieaeo 
with  Great  Britain  under  tlio  present  admi- 
nistration," said  tlie  sanguinary  Kvcning 
J'ost,  of  New  York.  "A  union  of  all  par- 
ties," eri('<l  tlie  Federal  iiepublican,  "to 
drive  Mr.  Madison  from  powi^r,  whose  con- 
tinuance in  office  will  r"n(ler  abortive  cverj' 
eft'ort  to  defentl  and  save  the  country.  We 
believe,  aiul  have  for  some  time  believed, 
that  there  is  no  hope  of  preserving  this 
Union  six  months,  if  six  week; ,  unless  Mr. 
Madison  resigns,  or  is  removed  from  office." 
"  Do  the  Democrats,"  asked  the  Boston  Ga- 
zette, "  think  tiiat  a  Madison,  whose  high- 
est ambition  is  to  balance  a  sentence  and 
round  a  period — that  the  rhetorician  who 
once  glimmered  in  harmh^ss  debate,  in  times 
of  peace,  can  now  balance  the  conflicting 
parties  of  our  country,  or  diro(«t  the  ener- 
gies of  a  powerful  nation?"  That  Gazette 
of  the  inth  of  December,  1H14,  confidently 
predicted  that  "we  should  agree  to  thi. 
conditions  of  peace  (the  rejected  terms 
which  at  first  roused,  and  seemed  to  unite 
all  the  nation),  not  verj^  different  from  those 
propose<l  by  Gn^at  Britain  at  first,  or  per- 
haps worse.  That  scmtence  in  our  commis- 
sioner's letter  of  the  2-ith  of  August,  which 
rejects  such  cerms  as  only  comi)ati))lo  witli 
surrender  of  our  inilepondence,  is  mere  fus- 
tian— the  rhetorical  flourish  of  a  Fourth  of 
July  discourse  in  Harvard  cliapel.  Such  un- 
lucky diplomacy,  penned  in  evil  liour,  seems 
as  if  Heaven  intended  to  disgrace  us.  Whj' 
degrade  the  nation  by  anticipating  terms 
equal  to  a  surrender  of  our  independence? 
The  greatest  people  on  earth  have  often 
made  terms  more  disadvantageous,  and  yet 
preserved  their  character."  The  terms  thus 
characterized  as  reasonable,  which  it  would 
be  mere  rhetorical  fustian  to  refuse,  were 
the  surrender  of  all  the  lakes,  their  waters 
and  shores,  with  their  sixty  thousand  in- 
liabitants,  (what  now  and  what  hereafter?) 
a  direct  e(»nimunication  from  Halifax  to 
(iuebec,  with  five  thousand peopl-  in  Maine, 
and  more  than  one-tliird  of  the  western  ter- 
ritories of  the  United  States — all  Michigan, 
Illinois  and  Indiana,  with  much  of  Ohio — 
altogether  not  less  than  one  hundred  and 
sixty-five  millions  of  acres;  which,  with 
their  waters,  are  now  a  lai'ge  part  of  the 
most  flourishing  United  States.  By  Blount's 
conspiracy,  Burr's  conspiracy,  Henry's  con- 
spiracy, English  conspiracies  with  tlu^  In- 
dians, and  conspiracies  to  instigate  the  Hart- 
ford Convention,  Great  Britain  had  endea- 
vored to  dismember  the  United  States  to  the 
west,  repeatedly  at  the  south,  and  in  tlie  east. 
Of  all  these  inexcusable  designs  there  were 
Eastern  American  well-wishers ;  though 
without  the  treasoneblo  co-operation  for 
which  English  governmental  corruption 
was  lavished  on  the  press,  and  some  of  the 
IG 


partisans  seduced.  In  the  distempered, 
perhaps  indefinite  calculations  of  many 
years  of  disafl'ection  to  the  federal  g<ivi>ru- 
nieiit,  the  envovs  of  the  Hartford  Conven- 
tion went  to  Washingtcm.  Their  consti- 
tuents had  associated  Madison  with  Buna- 
IMirte  in  the  war;  hail  openly  condemned 
iiim,  like  his  master,  imprisoned  at  Elba, 
to  some  dishonored  expulsion  from  chief 
magistracy;  bad,  in  their  legislative  bodies 
and  public  meetings,  openly  declared  tiiat 
he  deserved  to  be  hrn;';ed:  hnd  convinced 
themselves  and  the)/  constituents  '■hat  no 
doom  was  too  liad  for  the  principal  oi)stacl(> 
to  peace.  In  that  teniper,  an(i  with  over- 
weening confidence,  they  proceeded  to  the 
s(mt  of  government,  through  tlics  commercial 
cities,  where  their  mission  found  numerous 
abettors.  Whatever  were  tlieir  undivulged 
instructions,  their  aim,  object,  and  insolent 
assurance  were  the  overthrow  of  the  admi- 
nistration; or,  failing  to  effect  that,  the  dis- 
memberment of  as  inanj'  Eastern  States  as 
could  be  misled  from  the  Union. 

On  their  way  to  Washington,  the  mis- 
chievous envoys  of  the  Hartford  Conven- 
ti(m,  more  fortunat(dy  for  tiiem  than  their 
country,  were  confronted  l)y  tidings  that 
Louisiana—  the  first  plea  for  <lisuiiion,  a 
foreign  pri/s-ince  not  worthy  of  admission 
to  the  Union — had  nobly,  with  western 
reinforcement,  repelled  JJritish  invasion, 
while  it  I'emained  undisturbed,  if  not  con- 
nived at,  in  part  of  ]\Iassachusetts,  submit- 
ting to,  pe''han«  /fjoiciiig  in,  the  disgraceful 
contrast:  Boston,  the  cradle,  threatening  to 
become  the  grave  tif  American  independ- 
ence. Before  they  n^ached  Washington,  the 
missionaries  of  disunion  were  still  further 
confounded  bj'  news  of  peace,  dropping  its 
charitable  mantle  on  whatever  were  their 
surreptitious  designs.  In  the  flush  of  con- 
sternating triumphs  in  which  they  could 
not  sympathize,  and  exultation  for  peace, 
universal  but  for  them,  the  agents  of  a  dis- 
astrous attempt  slunk  home  by  illuminated 
roads  and  cities,  hiding  themseh'"s  from  a 
delighted  and  exultant  people ;  degraded 
butts  of  derision  and  al>horrenco,  beacons 
to  future  factionists,  scorned  as  traitors 
wherever  they  went. 

They  were  advertised  in  the  newspapers 
as  having  aliscoii  »d  or  lost  themselves. 
The  National  Advocate  of  New  York,  whoso 
editor,  llenrj' Wheaton,  after  a  life  of  public 
and  professional  distinction,  lately  died  a 
professor  in  Cambridge  University,  adver- 
tised in  his  paper,  and  the  National  Intelli- 
gencer joyfully  reinil)lished  tlie  paragraph, 
offering  a  reward  for  three  unfortunate  gmi- 
tlenien  from  Boston,  who  had  missed  their 
way  to  Washington,  in  th(>  service  of  the 
Hartford  Convention,  and  it  was  feared  had 
met  with  some  mishap,  perhaps  drowned 
themselves.  Their  demeanor  was  furtive 
and  chopfallen  while  at  Washington,  Avhere, 
during  a  short  aud  sorry  °'^Juurn,  they  never 


■J 


■  '•.-.■ 


•I.--   I 


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■I,  11 


;!!•'■■    : 


;l! 


242 


••'.*;  jfti:' 


-•'ill 


:'iv  !-..- 


■I 
I 


illi  ^' 


"&-='' 


ventured  much  a1)roii(l  or  to  cull  ou  any 
member  of  the  giivcriimont,  nor  do  niorc 
than  make  tliomsolvos  known  to  the  fVw 
mombers  of  Con;i;i'('f<s  who  coiintpuanced 
their  deapieablo  project.  As  national  soni^s 
are  often  more  popular  and  (>ll'('(rtivo  than 
reason  or  ari^unient,  so  ridicule  is  sii.iic'tinies 
terrible  lo}<;ic,  and  not  always  t'.o  jocular 
or  good  humored,  in  wiiich  even  its  objects 
may  join,  no'  Greek  or  French  mocker}', 
lively  and  facetious,  but  the  j^rave  and 
scornful  sneer  of  hateful  English  con- 
tumely, such  as  blasted  the  envoys  of 
the  llartford  Convention,  whoso  ))unish- 
mcnt  was  novel  and  contlign.  AVhile  not 
a  hair  of  their  heads  was  harmed,  i)cr- 
initted  to  live  and  die,  and  one  yet  sur- 
viving, unmolested  in  their  persons  and 
property,  with  fair  private  characters, 
yet  condemned  to  complete  and  wholesome 
))ublic  degradation,  for  the  dreadful  risks 
to  which  they  exposed  the  first  trial  of 
war  by  the  republican  government  of  n 
confederate  country,  by  an  attempt  to 
reduce  its  States  to  dismendjerment,  and 
thus  bring  back  dark  ages  of  perpetual 
civil  wars,  by  kings,  i)eradventure,  of  Vir- 
ginia, fighting  kings  of  Massachusetts,  em- 
broiling all  the  intermediiite  States,  like 
hostile  tribes  of  barbarous  Indians,  inevi- 
tably involved  in  universal  and  incessant 
conflict.  Europe,  instead  of  a  federal  head, 
maintains  the  balance  of  power  at  immense 
cost  of  blood  and  treasure,  by  the  armed 
prevention  of  otherwise  perpetual  war.  In- 
etead  of  Lhat  compelled  peace,  the  United 
States  of  America,  by  their  federal  union, 
have  substituted  a  compromise  of  State  sove- 
reignties, which  no  one  can  disturb  for  local 
and  selfish  purposes  bv  unconstitutional 
opposition  to  the  nn  cionaf  government,  witli- 
out  involving  the  harmony  of  the  whole  and 
Bupplanting  ord  jr  by  ctunplete  disiu'ganiza- 
tion.  The  lJni(  n  is  the  rock  of  our  salva- 
tion. All  AVa  diington's  warning  to  liis 
countrymen,  a  Iniirable  as  the  lesson  is, 
tells  less  than  '.he  truth  of  its  vital  neces- 
sity, which,  for  the  first  time,  was  assailed 
by  the  Massacliusetts  condjination  against 
the  war  of  ISU',  more  alarnung  than  open 
rebellion.  Mr.  Otis'  plea  is,  that  the  act 
of  Congress  of  the  17tli  of  January,  181;'), 
authorizing  the  PresidiMit  to  accept  and 
employ  State  trc  ops,  sanctions  tho  prior 
net  of  Massachusetts  for  raising  such 
troops.  But  tho  State  trcjops,  authorized 
by  that  act  of  ('ongress,  were  to  serve  the 
nation  under  its  comnnmder-in-chief,  the 
President,  not  to  d(dy  both  him  and  them. 
South  Carolina,  Virginia,  Maryland  and 
New  York  tendered  their  State  troops  to  tho 
national  executive  for  national  hostilities. 
Massachusetts  expressly  withheld  her  troops 
nnder  the  exclusive  command  of  her  dis- 
loyal governor.  The  difference  is  a  contrast 
between  acts  of  patriotic  State  devotion  and 
ua  act  of  State  d(!tiance,  which,  iu  all  tho 


CONSEQUENCES  OF  DISUNION. 

— -♦ — 


[1814. 


typographical  attraction  of  italics,  ca])ital8 
and  rhetorical  language,  Mr.  Otis  disjilayH 
as  what  he  calls  the  egg  laid  in  the  llart- 
ford Convention,  hatched  by  daylight  under 
tiio  wing  and  imubation  of  tho  national 
eagle.  Still  more  discordant  was  the  spirit 
than  the  letter  of  that  hostile  act. 

In  all  Ameri(;an  wars,  there  will  lie  a 
peace  party  ;  wai  aggravating  party  spirit 
to  which  free  speech  and  a  fn^'  press  give 
outrageous  but  legitimate  vent.  Chatham 
thanked  (Jod,  in  the  British  parliament,  that 
America  had  resisted.  Dexter  declared  that 
opposition  must  speak  so  loud  as  to  be  over- 
heard by  tho  enemy.  Extreme  i)arty  hostili- 
ty, r.evertheless,  like  other  warftiro,  risks  de- 
struction, and  success  is  its  only  justification. 
The  Hartford  (.Convention  was  one  of  those 
sectional  and  distant  combinations  to  which 
this  wide-spread,  confederated  Union  is  lia- 
ble, justly  suspicious  and  unciuestionably 
unwarrantalde,  whether  criminal  or  lawful, 
.n-  excusable,  provoked  l)y  no  intolerable 
suflering,  neitln-r  fauiine,  i)estilenc(!  nor  tho 
ordinary  calamities  (  war,  whoso  severest 
infliction  was  privation  of  commerce,  en- 
terprise and  gain,  not  afflicting  New  Eng- 
land alone,  Ijut  common,  in  gnsat  measui'c, 
to  all  the  United  States ;  not  deprived  of 
subsistence,  raiment  or  imbitation,  while, 
by  turinng  the  versatile  genius  of  the  East- 
ern people  to  manufactures,  the  hotbed 
of  war  fomented  what  has  proved  as  pro- 
fitable as  their  commerce.  That  Convention, 
without  treasonable  act  or  hostile  collision, 
contemplated  the  separate  government  of  one 
or  more  States,  which  was  dissolution  of  the 
Union;  leading  to  partial  peace  and  ulti- 
mate alliance  with  the  enemy,  which,  Mr. 
Otis  confessed,  would  have  prostrated  pub- 
lic credit  and  private  property,  real  and 
personal,  annihilated  the  public  funds,  and 
increased  every  calamity  complained  of, 
(iranting  tho  severe  pressure,  and  (juestiou- 
able  constitutionality  of  the  embargo,  still, 
when  war  ensued,  the  first  misdeed  was 
withholding  from  national  service  and 
command  the  militia,  anil  from  the  Presi- 
dent, his  constitutional  right  to  judge  when 
they  are  wanted,  an  error,  as  since  ad- 
judg(!d  unanimously  l>y  the  Supreme  Couit 
of  tlie  United  States,  so  llagrant  that  it  could 
not  be  without  unworthy  ))rt\judice8  and 
sectional  disloyalty.  Apologists  for  the 
llartford  Conventit)n  urge,  the  subsequent 
South  Carolina  nullification ;  but  that  was 
neither  plotted  in  secret  nor  armed  against 
war.  Other  analogies,  argued  from  legisla- 
tive, judicial  or  popular  resistance  to  federal 
supremacy  ii  several  states,  were  but  occa- 
sional jars  in  tho  intestine  working  of  tho 
complex  machinery  of  State  and  United 
States  government,  faintly  resembling  the 
organized  and  confederated  disorganization 
of  several  States  combining  to  defeat  a 
foreign  war.  Tho  llartford  Convention 
stands  alouo  iu  its  design,  mishap,  disgrace, 


il 


[1814. 

■  italics,  capitalu 
[r.  Otiw  (lisjilays 
id  ill  tiio  llurt- 
y  (laviiirlit  under 
of  the  national 
lit  was  the  Hpirit 
Ic  act. 

tli(>ro  will  lie  a 
ting  party  spirit 
free  press  give 
vent.  Chatliam 
parliament,  tiiat 
tcr  declared  that 
id  as  to  he  over- 
nie  party  liostili- 
I'arfare,  risks  de- 
nlyjustitication. 
I'as  one  of  those 
nations  to  which 
t(!d  I'nion  is  lia- 

luuiuestionahly 
niinal  or  lawful, 
no  intolerable 
ustilence  nor  the 
,  whose  severest 
'  conunerce,  en- 
cting  New  Eng- 
i  gnsat  measure, 
not  deprived  of 
ibitation,  while, 
lius  of  the  East- 
res,   the   hotbed 

prov(>d  as  pro- 
L'hat  Convention, 
hostile  collision, 
overnmentofone 
lissolution  of  the 

peace  and  ulti- 
jniy,  which,  Mr. 

prostrated  pub- 
tperty,  real  and 
ublic  funds,  and 

complained  of. 
n.  and  (juestiou- 
e  embargo,  still, 
st  misdeed  was 
al  service  and 
from  tlie  Presi- 
it  to  judge  when 
ir,  as  since  ad- 
!  Supreme  Couit 
rant  tliat  it  could 

jirejudiccs  and 
ulogists   for   the 

the  sulisequent 
in ;  but  that  was 
ir  armed  against 
Lietl  from  legisla- 
istance  to  federal 
■!,  were  but  occa- 
!  working  of  the 
;ato  and   United 

resembling  the 
1  disorganization 
ing  to  defeat  a 
'ord  Convention 
aishap,  disgrace, 


Chap.  X.] 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

♦ 


243 


and  catastrophe ;  condemning  Massachu- 
setts, Mr.  Otis  bitterly  deplores  "  lo  stand 
ill  a  white  sheet  in  the  Halls  of  Congress, 
and  letting  loose  a  gulf  stream  of  abuse  on 
tiio  n'ost  honored  of  her  8on»;  'aboring  in 
vain  t'l  roll  back,  like  Sisyphus,  the  continu- 
ally recoiling  fragment  of  popularity:"  in 
vain,  innocent  of  hostile  collision  or  trea- 
sonable ac'',  nevertheless  guilty  and  justly 
condemned  for  infamous  design  against  the 
Union.  Former  good  chai  acter,  urged  for 
it«  members,  every  lawyer  in  the  Convention 
knew  that  courts  of  justice  treat  as  testimony 
so  weak  as  to  be  often  suspicious.  The  offence 
of  the  Hartford  Convention,  though  it  may 
have  violated  no  law,  shocked  public  opinion 
and  national  pride.  When  an  individual 
treasonably  resists  government,  alleging 
that  it  infringes  the  Constitution,  it  has 
provided  judicial  tribunals  to  pass  between 
them.  But  when  States  by  legislative  acts 
resist  acts  of  Congvess,  and  command  their 
citizens  to  resist  them,  the  dissension  be- 
comes civil  war.  Whether  the  people  of  a 
State  can  leave  the  Union  without  breaking 
the  federal  compact,  may  bo  a  constitutional 
question.  No  such  power  is  in  the  charter, 
and,  according  to  Mr.  Adams,  is  like  an  in- 
dividual's right  to  commit  suicide  or  set  fire 
to  his  house  in  a  populous  city,  thereby 
endangering  conflagration  of  all  the  rest. 

C  overnor  Eustis  of  Massachusetts,  flovern- 
or  Plumer  of  New  Hampshire,  and  others 
of  less  authority,  might  not,  however,  have 
sentenced  the  Hartford  Convention  to  in- 
famy, had  not  the  most  vigorous  and  for- 
midable of  controversialists,  from  the  Pre- 
sidential chair,  struck  his  mortal  blow  of 
remediless  denigration.  In  the  agonizing 
crisis  (to  borrow  his  own  words  applied  to 
another  crisis),  of  his  presidential  contest 
for  re-election,  Mr.  Adams  impeached  the 
Hi'.riford  Convention  of  treason.  The  ac- 
cused, who  have  a  right  to  be  heard,  denied 
the  charge  as  not  only  a  base  calumny,  but 
uttered  for  the  reward  of  apostasy.  Having 
as  Senator  voted  for  the  embargo,  avowedly 
without  deliberation,  and  merely,  as  ho  de- 
clared, because  recommended  by  President 
Jefferson,  they  charged  Mr.  Adams  with 
turning  informer  against  his  party  and  his 
State  ;  and  inheriting  his  father's  hatred  of 
Ilami'iton  and  other  leaders  of  the  Federal 

[)arty,  to  whom  father  and  son  imputed  the 
OSS  of  the  former's  re-election,  tiie  son  went 
over  to  Jefferson  for  vengeance  and  for  office. 
To  atone  for  a  load  of  political  guilt,  indi- 
vidual and  hereditary,  prove  the  sincerity 
of  his  abjuration  of  party,  place  an  impas- 
sable barrier  between  them  and  him,  and 
attest  the  sincerity  of  his  conversion,  private 
denunciation  of  his  former  friends  was  re- 
quired and  given ;  and  within  a  few  months 
the  Russian  mission  followed,  loading  to 
other  promotion,  and  eventually  to  the  Pre- 
sidency. To  this  retort,  Mr.  Adams  replied, 
that  the  first  act  of  his  public  life  in  the 


Senate  of  Massachusetts,  was  a  proposal  to 
admit  to  the  council  of  tliut  State  reriresent- 
ativcs  of  the  minority  in  the  two  Houses. 
And  certainly  his  whole  public  career,  as 
Secretary  of  State,  President,  and  member 
of  Congress,  notwithstanding  the  violence  of 
liis  temper,  was  remarkably  abstemious  of 
party  and  proscription.  Those  he  accused 
of  treason  furtl.ermoro  denied  that  ho  pro- 
duced any  proof,  and  asserted  that,  in  place 
of  witness,  he  was  himself  a  mere  party, 
twenty  years  after  the  secret  of  his  treach- 
ery came  to  light,  turned  from  accuser  to 
a<:eusod ;  not  naming  any  one  living  as 
guilty,  but  fi.xing  his  charge  on  the  dead, 
and  on  them  not  individually.  That  Uriah 
Tracy,  it  was  said,  avoII  aware  of  Adams' 
lioreditary  resentment  against  Hamilton, 
should  be  accused,  after  both  were  dead,  of 
divulging  to  Adams  so  disgraceful  an  im- 
putation on  Hamilton,  as  that  !.e  was  to 
1)0  military  leader  of  the  northern  confe- 
deracy, was  treated  as  a  palpable  absurd- 
ity. James  Hillhouse,  John  Davenport, 
Jolin  Cotton  Smith,  Simeon  Baldwin,  Ben- 
jamin Tallmadge,  and  Calvin  (Joddard, 
Tracy's  associates  from  Connecticut  in  Con- 
gress, by  solemn  public  denials  repelled  the 
charge  as  far  as  by  negative  testimony  was 
possi'lo :  all  gentlemen  of  character  for 
truth  as  good  as  Mr.  Adams.  Hillhouse 
and  Ooddard  were  indeed  members  of  the 
Hartford  Convention ;  from  which  incredu- 
lity might  infer  their  original  misconduct : 
and  notwithstanding  Mr.  Adams'  disa- 
vowal to  General  Hamilton's  son  of  belief 
in  his  father's  connection  with  the  design 
of  disunion  in  1803,  in  which  the  llartford 
Convention  was  said  to  originate,  yet 
President  Adams  was  known  to  harbor 
that  suspicion.  Having  left  in  print  a  de- 
claration that  it  was  not  improbable  that,  at 
some  future  day,  a  sense  of  soleinn  duty  to 
his  country  might  require  him  to  disclose 
the  evidence  be  possessed,  perhaps  his  forth- 
coming diary  may  dear  up  the  hitherto  in- 
scrutable mystery.  Whatever  passions, 
prejudices,  and  errors  there  must  be  in  those 
forty  volumes  of  impressions,  they  can 
hardly  fail  to  ex]ilain  so  important  a  circum- 
stance in  his  life  as  the  Hartford  Conven- 
tion. During  three  years  immediately  before, 
and  three  yeai>  after,  its  occurrence,  Mr. 
Adams  was  in  Europe,  and  acknowledges 
that  ho  knew  nothing  about  it.  All  he 
could  do  was  to  trace  its  conjectured  dcscint 
from  the  indubitable  design  of  1803,  matur- 
ed, lie  declai'X'd,  in  1808,  to  rotten  nothing- 
ness in  1814;  and  while  over  his  memory 
endures,  infamous,  if  not  indisputably  so. 

The  magic  of  success,  espe.  lally  by  vic- 
tory in  arms,  which  strikes  terror  or  joy 
upon  the  most  sensitive  fibres  of  human 
nature,  fear  and  imagination,  sudden,  dif- 
fusive and  powerful  as  electricity,  winged 
the  deeply  impressive  influences  of  Jackson's 
unexpected  and  astonishing  triumph  to  the 


fr: 


244 


MASSACHUSETTS. 
— ♦ — 


[1814. 


»' 


,   * 


^1 . 


romotost  parts  of  Xoi'th  Amoriea,  fill'mp;  the 
h(!arta  of  all  tlio  war's  siipporti'i's  witli  ex- 
ultation, and  of  all  its  factimis  antaifonists 
with  dismay.   As  soon  as,  if  not  licfore,  tlio 
Hartford  envoys  eoultl  skulk  homo,  runnin}^ 
the  jjjauntle*'  of  scorn  more  stinf^inj;  than 
the  lash,  and  with    no   solace   from    any 
sympathy,    the    IJoston   tone    of  deliance 
fell   to    s(df-al)asement.      Distrust   of    and 
alienation  from  their  country,   conlidence 
in    the    overpowering   niif^ht   of  its    f^reat 
enemy,   assurance  of  British  success  and 
American  disf;race,  were  chanj»;('d  to  shame 
and  remorse  by  aniazinj^  victorj',  crowned 
by  as  unlookcd  for  and  almost  unwelcome 
peace.  JJy  special  Providence,  Louisiana, the 
cause  and  arj^ument  of  eastern  estrange- 
ment from  the  Unitni,  was  the  cause  and 
]ilace  of  its  glori(uis  preservation,  joined  to 
tlie  east  by  sympathy  like  the  overruling 
necessity  which,    stronger    than    constitu- 
tional admission,  a<lopted  that  illegitimate 
sister  into  the  faiiiily  of  jealous  American 
States.      Constitutional    objecticnis,    party 
.ind  personal  repugnance,  were  drowned  by 
shouts  of  universal  triunijih.     Pilgrim  de- 
Hcendants,  in  all  the  austerity  of  J'uritan 
sectarianism,  enibrac(>il  French  and  Spanish 
Roman    Catholic    fellow   countrymen    two 
tliousand    miles  off.     Jefferson's  purchase 
from  Bonaparte  was  consecrated  like  th(; 
Plymouth  Hock  and  Bunker  lllll.  The  very 
slaves  who  defended  New  Orleans  were  aj)- 
plauded.     Scales  tell  from  the  eyes  of  the 
sharpest  vision  to  interest,  theretofore  seal- 
ed to  the  eastern  advantages  of  the  magni- 
ficent southwest,  whose  Kentucky  savages, 
Tennessee  barbarians  and  motley  Creoles 
had  saved  the  American  soil  from  pollu- 
tion, the  country  of  thewhcdi;  United  States 
from   dishonor,  and  the  entire  American 
Union  from  destruction,    almost  without 
help  from  any  arms  but  their  own,  none, 
military  or  civil,  from  New  England.    The 
British  army  did  not  retreat  in  more  pre- 
cipitate   or  clandestine  discomfiture  than 
the    government    of    Massachusetts    from 
all  but    factious  and   contemptible   oppo- 
sition to  the  war  or  the  Union.     The  same 
Senate  which  resolved  it  unbecoming  to  re- 
joice in  the  victories  of  their  own  Boston 
built  frigate,  manned  by  New  England  sea- 
men, on  the  report  of  a  committee  on  the 
13th  of  February,  1815,  of  which  Mr.  Jo- 
siah  Quincy  was  a  member,  ordered  ii  vote 
of  thanks  to  General  Jackson  and  the  brave 
troops  under  his  command,  for  the  glorious 
and  signal  victory  obtained  by  them  over 
the  British  army  near  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans. The  place  mentioned  for  felicitation 
was  the  key  and  mart  of  those  southwestern 
States  which  the  pri>ss,  the  pulpit,  the  ex- 
change and  the  legislatureof  Massachusetts, 
by  inimical   proceedings   and    outrageous 
terms,  had  divorced  from  the  Union  as  un- 
worthy of  it  with  the  thirteen  original  States. 
3Ir.  Quincy,  who  in  Congress  vehemently 


contested  the  admission  of  Louisiana  into  the 
conf(!dcracy,  rejoiced  when  he  must  Imve 
regretted  that  Louisiiina  had  icsciied  the 
Union  from  dismiiubernKUit,  and  closed 
t\u'.  war  in  a  blaze  of  gli>ry.  Narrow-mind- 
ed Massachusetts,  who  as  crrly  as  1(11,", 
strove  to  exclude  even  Connecticuitfroin  the 
primeval  consociation,  from  iSOo  to  1S12 
repelled  Louisiana,  and  then  all  the  south- 
west, joined,  in  181"),  in  a  national  shout 
of  far  distant  victory,  while  part  oi  the 
old  Bay  State  was  a  conquered  British  pi'i- 
v'nce.  Mr.  Quincy,  driven  from  national 
distinction  to  the  maj'oralty  of  '  uston,  un- 
derwent that  searing  of  bliiido(t  ...ght  which 
opened  to  behold  tlu;  commerce,  the  manu- 
factures, and  the  advancement  altogether 
of  his  discontented  birth-place;,  greatly  aug- 
mented by  thosf!  national  developmei'ts 
which  render  Now  Orl*  ms  th((  correlative 
of  Boston,  illustrated  Uy  the  glory  of  the 
southwest,  and  without  disunion  "oy  peace 
indefinitely  perpetuated. 

Yielding,  however,  the  vanquished  fo- 
mentors  of  disloyalty  submitted  with  the 
worst  grace.  On  the  28th  February,  1815,  the 
repuljlicans  of  the  Senate  addressed  (ien. 
Jackson  in  what  the}'  called  the  small  voice 
of  a  minority  of  a  remote  State,  (d' little  re- 
pute in  arms  and  loss  in  ])atriotism,  declar- 
ing that  they  would  not  then  have  obtruded, 
had  not  Mr.  Ifolmcs'  resolution  expressive 
of  thanks  experienced  an  extraordinary 
fate:  committed,  and  after  much  delay  and 
ombari.issnH^nt  rejported,  with  an  offensive 
preamble,  denouncing  tiie  war  as  unjust, 
the  government  as  improvident  and  wicked, 
with  extreme  virulence  and  invective,  ap- 
proving only  of  what  related  to  defensive 
warfare ;  which  the  republicans  were  con- 
strained to  oppose  as  censure  under  pretext 
of  approbation.  Such  was  the  last  folly 
of  that  faction  derided  by  Cobbett  as  the 
"  serene  highnesses,  Cossacks  and  poor 
creatures  of  Massachusetts." 

Perpetual  peace,  a  dream  of  some  enthu- 
siasts in  all  ages,  is  repe.se  more  fatal  than 
occasional  war.  Cf"ir.iorcial  people,  steeped 
in  mere  acquisition,  become  debased  like 
miserly  individuals,  and  can  be  roused  from 
selfish  pursuits  to  high-minded  individual- 
ity as  well  as  nationality,  raised  from  ig- 
noble traffic  to  nobler  aspirations,  only  by 
the  Ldiock  of  hostilities.  Conflict  with 
tludr  own  national  government  had  long 
sharpened  wits,  but  attacks  of  solemn  ene- 
■nies  were  necessary  to  awake  manlier 
energies.  Sordid  motive  for  dis.aff'ection 
forbade  lofty  or  daring  action,  which  vent- 
ed itself  in  vilification  and  potty  malice. 
When,  therefore,  a  whole  country  was  re- 
lieved by  distant  successes,  which  riyottod 
every  State  to  the  union  of  all,  the  re- 
morseful discord  quailing,  surrendered,  re- 
joicing for  victories  Avhich  it  envied,  but 
dared  not  disown.  National  joy,  reluc- 
tantly re-echoed  from  the  depths  of  eastern 


[1814. 

lislnnaintotlio 
lio   nuist  liavo 
(I  :('scuc(l  tlic 
it,    and   closed 
Niirniw-niiiid- 
iPiM'ly   as    l()4;j 
ticutfroiii  tlio 
1   ISOa  to  1S12 
1  all  tlio  Hdutli- 
nationiil  shout 
io    i)ixrt  of  tlio 
imI  Ilritish  ]ii<i- 
froiri  natioiiul 
of  ■  Dstdii,  lin- 
ed, .i^ht  which 
rco,  the  mann- 
ent  altof^etluT 
',  greatly  aufr. 
develoimiei'ts 
:li{(  correlative 
(!  k1'"'v  ^f  the 
iiion  oy  peace 

anq\iislied  fo- 
itted  with  the 
nary,  IHIT),  the 
(idressed  (Jen. 
tin;  faniall  voice 
te,  of  little  rc- 

otisni,  declar- 
liave  ohtruded, 
ion  expressive 
extraordinary 
inch  delay  and 
:h  an  ofl'ensive 
var  as  unjust, 
nt  and  wicked, 

invective,  ap- 
d  to  (lefensive 
ans  were  con- 
under  pretext 
tlie  last  folly 
Jobbett  as  the 
iks   and    poor 

if  some  enthu- 
lore  fatal  than 
icople,  steeped 
I  debased  like 
be  roused  from 
ed  individual- 
liscd  from  ig- 
itions,  only  by 
Conflict  with 
lent  had  long 
)f  solemn  ene- 
ivake  manlier 
ir  disaffection 
1,  which  vent- 
potty  malice, 
untry  was  ro 
vhich  rivetted 
'  all,  the  re- 
rrendered,  ro- 
t  envied,  but 
xl  joy,  reluc- 
ths  of  eastern 


Chap.  X.l 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

— • — 


245 


disloyalty,  could  not  be  narrowed  to  defen- 
sive triumphs  by  the  metaphysics  of  fac- 
tion. 

Insulting  ((uodlibets  of  the  iiress,  innuen- 
does of  politic  '  ns,  and  j)ulpit  fulminations 
— how  tlii>ir  .lue  chiingi'd  !  I^Iadison's  wis- 
dom was  admired,  his  firmness  api)lauded 
by  outrageous  revilers,  who,  a  few  years 
after  his  retirement  from  the  presidency, 
performed  pilgrimages  to  his  N'irgiiiia  home- 
stead as  a  shrine,  and  extolled  its  modest 
master  as  the  model  of  American  stat(>s- 
meu,  his  politics  as  the  true  standard  of 
constitutional  jirinciples.  In  that  worsliip 
.f  success,  transforming  a  demon  ton  demi- 
god, some  of  the  n  ost  unbridled  censors  of 
tlie  war  President  were  among  the  foremost 
adorers  of  the  father  of  the  Constitution. 
The  Boston  (la/.ette  gave  out  that  the  legis- 
lature of  Massachusetts  had  resolved  to  sus- 
piMid  their  unexecuted  law  for  raising  State 
troops,  except  as  to  one  thousand  men ;  but 
a  committee  had  been  appointed  to  the  cha- 
racteristic dutj'  of  reporting  wdiat  additional 
remuneration  ought  to  be  allowed  to  tli'> 
Massachusetts  members  of  the  late  llartfoiV. 
Convention. 

From  the  lofty  tribunal  of  chief  magis- 
tracy, John  Quincy  Adams  p-ssed  s(>n- 
teiicc  on  those  he  tried,  as  "certain  leaders 
of  a  party  which  had  the  management  of 
tli(^  legislature  (of  Massachusetts)  in  their 
hands,*'  marked  them  one  and  all  with  what 
lie  termed  "the  stamp  of  indelible  reproba- 
tion," particularly  Mr.  Otis,  of  whom  with 
peculiar  sharpness  of  sarcasm  he  said,  that, 
"having  as  putative  father  enjoytul  unrival- 
led the  honors,  he  was  disposed  to  bestow  on 
others  the  shame  of  its  paternity."  Although 
he  reached  the  presidency  witlKmt  a  popu- 
lar majority,  and  was  e;:pelled  from  it  with 
popular  disfavor,  yet  Mr.  Adams'  charaiiter 
stood  too  high  and  fair,  and  his  talents 
were  too  commanding  for  his  word  to  be 
disbelieved  in  what  he  ])ositiv(dy  affirmed 
against  tlioseof  his  ovtii  State  and  luiighbor- 
liood  and  party,  witli  whom  be  long  liveil 
ill  social  and  political  fraternitv.  On  his 
authority  the  Hartford  Couvcution  is  exe- 
crated. 

As  foreign  minister,  jMr.  Adams  was 
superior  to  most  and  ei[Ual  to  almost  any  of 
the  many  able  men  commissioned  by  this 
(•otiiitry  to  defend  its  interests  in  Europe. 
UhmI  to  that  vocation,  familiar  with  its 
forms,  habits  and  conventionalities,  in  its 
princely,  noble  and  otli(!r  (devateil  inb'r- 
course,  he  was  sim))le,  candid  and  niiinly, 
without  tlie  deri)gatory  obsiMiuiousness  to 
rank  and  sj)lendid  hospitalities  to  Avliich 
American  representatives  so  often  sacrifice 
their  political  usefulness.  As  Secretary  of 
State,  his  conduct  ami  public  correspondence 
kept  up  the  high  character  of  that  dt^part- 
ment.  And  as  I'resiilent,  bis  administration 
was  economical  and  temperate,  cherishing 
the   welfare  u''   all  parts   of  the  Federal 


Union.  But  soon  after  losing  the  presidency, 
he  violated  the  cxr.mples  of  all  his  prede- 
cessors, OIK?  of  them  his  own  father,  a 
much  l)etter  parliamentarian  than  himself, 
by  )dungiiig  into  that  boisterous  sea  of 
troubles,  the  lloiiseof  J{epresentatives:  rash 
and  fatal  ]iluii^-e,  into  a  purgatory  where 
whatever  ,sins  he  had  committed  or  should, 
instead  of  beiiiif  expiated,  were  aggravated 
by  the  turbulent  violence  of  his  temjier,  con- 
tinually lietrayed  to  excesses.  AVith  suf)e- 
rior  literary  and  scientific  attainments,  lin- 
guist, piK^t,  geoiii(\trician,  dramatist,  one  of 
tlie  best  biblical  scholars  (d' his  day,  and  with 
maiiy  other  talents  tor  happy,  dignified  and 
adnnied  retirement,  convivial  tastes,  col- 
Io(|uial  ]iowers,  perfect  health,  easy  for- 
tune, repute  not  only  American  liut  Euro- 
pean, to  constitute  a  housclndd  deity, 
like  Jefferson  and  Sladison,  which  even 
the  warrior  Jackson  Tiecamo  without 
literary  attraction — Mr.  Adams  prefm-red 
sixteen  years  of  tumultuous  controversy  in 
Congress;  and  what  might  have  been  the 
briglit(>st  period  of  his  power,  as  a  shrine, 
be  made  a  last  stage  of  undignified  sciuab- 
l.les  on  a  hustings.  In  a  splendid  hall,  of 
marvellous  inaptitude  for  hearing  and  total 
indifferc'ice  to  speaking,  he  commandiHl  the 
attention  bestowed  on  very  few  and  that 
rarely;  yet  no  member  combined  so  much 
eminence  with  so  little  iiitluenee.  Indis- 
putable homage  to  his  superior  information 
and  experience  in  all  branches  and  afi'airs 
of  government,  foreign  and  domestic,  to- 
gether with  acknowbulged  purity  and 
weight  of  character,  well  husbanded  and 
used,  might  have  rendered  his  legislativ(* 
more  potent  than  his  executive  word.  His 
won!,  which  should  have  been  a  law,  was 
that  of  a  disorderly  wrangler  in  a  fluctu- 
ating assembly  biennially  renewed  from 
remote  regions,  with  various  views,  among 
whom  no  one  seemed  to  delight  more  in 
noisy  conflict,  or  voted  oftener  in  small 
sectarian,  ineffectual  and  c(jndemned  mi- 
norities than  the  ex-]iresident.  Altluuigh 
not  much  accustomed  to  public  speaking 
till  more  than  sixty  years  old,  he  was 
a  friMjuent,  strenuous  and  passionate 
dcclaimt'r,  without  the  rhetorical  iinish 
which  ornamented  his  written  efforts,  any 
grace  of  action,  commanding  tone  or  per- 
son, but  forcible  and  ehxpient  from  earn- 
estness and  passionate  h>gic,  the  best  ele- 
nunits  of  comimuiding  oratory.  On  one; 
occasion  he  held  tlui  lloor  the  time  al- 
lowed by  rule,  for  thirteen  successive  days 
of  one  protracted  speech.  Owing  to  the 
licentious  extravagance  of  his  conduct,  he 
was  more  than  once  in  danger  of  censure? 
or  expulsion,  which  he  anxiously  and  ad- 
miral)ly  ]>revented  ))y  inimitable  powers  of 
discussion  and  deprecation.  In  such  per- 
petual turmoil  he  was  never  the  author, 
iiardly  the  mover,  of  any  great  national 
measure.    During  his  service  in  Congress 


•■itn. 


f,   ■ 

II: 


IJV    ■ 


24ff 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

— ♦ — 


[1814. 


|;f»j-; 


'..it. 

IP 


la 


ho  was  always  in  opposition,  gnnerally  with 
oxtn^nio  antiijroniNni  to  sueccf'sivo  adminis- 
trations; latterly  with  oiitnii^cuns  av(^rsion 
to  tho  slavo  States,  ami  ail  acijnisitioii  of 
furtlior  southern  territory,  whieli,  as  .Seere- 
tary  of  State  and  President,  in;  as  wv.-.miy 
countenanced;  as  niutdi  aj;iiinst  Texas  and 
Mexico,  as  ho  wasforljouisii,.naand  Florida. 
Vindication,  which  ho  ardcndy  osj)ouscd,  of 
wluit  ho  doomed  tho  right  of  |)otition,  was 
rather  an  En;;lish  than  American  consti- 
tutional positum,  more  sentimental  tlnin 
rational,  transient  than  lasting,  and  local 
than  national.  Insatiate  of  living  notoriety 
as  well  as  posthumous  fame,  for  such  grati- 
fication ho  spent  many  of  liis  latter  years 
in  turmoil  on  tho  stage,  where  indeed  ho 
bravely  maintained  himself  to  die  at  last 
as  ho  desired,  in  the  Capitol  and  of  emotion. 
One  j'car  before  his  glorious  death  and  im- 
niense  post-in(>rteni  glorification,  no  mem- 
ber of  the  whole  House  of  llepresentatives 
was  so  odious  to  so  nia>\(  ithers,  or  with- 
out distinction  ot  partv  :;.,  decried.  For 
he  provoked  tho  aniiiKisity  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  fifteen  of  the  thirty  States  by 
his  unmeasured,  and  as  they  charged,  ma- 
lignant, envenomed,  vindictive  olForts  for 
their  destruction,  because  their  votes  pre- 
vented his  re-election  to  tho  presidency. 
While  he  lived  and  railed  and  defied  in  the 
twenty-nintli  Congress,  hatred  of  him  was 
nearly  as  universal  and  intense,  as,  in  the 
thirtieth  Congress,  when  dying  in  their 
midst,  tho  feeling,  without  one  dissenting 
voice,  was  reverential  and  applausive.  As 
Senator  and  Secretary  of  State,  no  ono  did 
more  to  extend  tho  United  States  where 
slavery  prevails,  to  which  as  President  he 
sceinod  as  well  disposed.  As  member  of 
rhe  House  of  llepresentatives,  no  ono  so 
furiously  and  commandingly  brandished 
firebrands  of  disunion. 

Though  Mr.  Adams  did  not  live  by  many 
years  as  long  as  his  father,  yet  he  was  a 
man  of  remarkably  ro))ust  frame  and  excel- 
lent constitution.  A  female,  when  he  was 
first  made  President,  complaining  to  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  that  she  could  not  see  the 
chief  magistrate  .as  she  desired,  "  You  have 
cmly,"  said  he,  "  to  go  down  to  th(!  Potomac 
bridge  any  morning  about  d.ay-light,  and 
you  may  see  him  swimming  in  the  river." 
After  ho  was  seventy  years  old,  that  con- 
tinued to  be  his  habit,  and  it  was  said  that 
ho  often  swam  across  tho  Potomac  where  it 
was  more  than  a  mile  wide.  Although  com- 
monly taciturn  and  often  abrupt,  Mr.  Adams 
was  a  very  pleasant  companion  in  society, 
relished  with  gentlemanlike  enjoyment  the 
pleasures  of  tho  table,  fond  of  good  food, 
choice  wines,  and  all  other  resources  of  con- 
vi  iality.  Ono  Sunday  evening,  while  Se- 
crucary  of  State,  entertaining  at  his  own 
house  Nicholas  Biddle  and  other  gentle- 
men, becoming  much  animated  with  de- 
scription of  dramatic  performances,  of  which 


he  was  very  fond,  ho  started  from  the  tnblf 
to  th(!  inifhfh^  of  tlii'  floor,  and  performed  mi 
imitation  ov"  Kemble  pronouncing  the  curpe 
in  King  Lea.".  Through  life  a  systenidtic 
student,  ho  was  indefatigable  in  reading  and 
writing,  and,  as  the  world  is  to  find,  kept 
one  of  the  most  voluminous  diaries  ever  put 
to  paper.  Exemplary  in  the  whole  routine  of 
domestic  duties,  ho  was  liberal,  hospitalilo, 
and  placable,  though  subject  to  gusts  of 
passion  and  fits  of  taciturnity.  Churches 
and  theatres  ho  frequented  with  the  utmost 
assiduity,  and  so  blended  political  with  re- 
ligious i)bligation,  as  to  doom  it  ineumliont 
on  him  to  attend  the  miscellaneous  divine 
service  in  the  Capitol  every  Sunday  morning, 
going  to  some  other  place  of  worship  in  the 
afternoon,  and  often  to  a  third  in  the  evening. 

When  ho  first  entered  the  Hall  to  resume 
his  seat,  after  some  months'  absence  during 
his  illness,  tho  whole  House  of  Kepresent- 
ativfis,  every  member,  rose  as  ho  walked 
down  the  middle  aisle,  and  by  a  salute  of 
silent  homage  welcomed  their  illustrious  as- 
sociate to  a  jdaco  from  which,  for  fourteen 
years  and  more,  he  had  never  been  absent, 
in  all  seasons  and  weathers,  night  and  day, 
and  not  only  present,  but  certainly  taking 
a  much  more  constant  interest  than  ar  • 
other  member  in  whatever  was  going  on. 
Always  present  in  body  and  mind  from  that 
time  till  his  death,  the  .gh  his  memory  may 
have  suffered  with  his  health,  his  reason  and 
ccmversation  appeared  unimpaired  ;  but  I 
think  he  made  only  two  speeches,  and 
neither  of  them  with  his  usual  vivacity. 

Tho  last  speech  ho  made  was  against  an 
appropriation  for  tho  Spanish  slaves  who 
had  been  (as  I  contended  unlawfully),  set 
free  by  his  exertions,  reappearing  as  advo- 
cate in  their  cause  before  the  Supreme  Court 
of  tho  United  States,  after  thirty  years  ab- 
sence from  it.  Tho  House  was  in  committee 
of  the  whfdo  on  the  state  of  the  Union,  with 
the  rule  in  force  which  prevented  debate. 
Tho  Spanish  minister  had  strongly  urged, 
tho  President  recommended,  tho  Secretary 
of  State  by  special  letter  pressed,  the  Senate, 
almost,  I  boliov(>,  without  serious  opposition, 
had  passed,  and  the  proper  committee  of  tho 
House  of  llepresentatives  reported  for  adop- 
tion, the  appropriation  which  Mr.  Adiims 
opposed,  lie  rose,  and  with  strong  feeling, 
asked  leave  to  address  tlio  committee  of  the 
whole,  which  they  had  no  power  to  give,  con- 
ti'ary  to  a  rule  of  the  House  that  was  irrevers- 
ilde  in  committee,  who  nevertheless  gave 
leave  ])y  an  irregular  consent  to  a  venerable 
and  moribund  applicant.  Asking  leave  for  a 
few  minutes,  ho  spoke  for  forty  with  ani- 
mation and  force,  appealing  to  humanity 
and  passion ;  and  such  was  the  effect  of  his 
expostulation  that  the  grant  was  rejected  by 
a  largo  majority.  So  his  last  speech  was 
against  slavery,  as  no  doubt  ho  would  have 
wished  it  should  be,  for  his  feeling  on  that 
subject  had  become  overpowering. 


[1814. 

from  tlin  tnlilp 
1  porftiriJK'diiii 
iciiif^  tliix'ursc 
_  a  Nystciiiatic 
in  roa(lin;i;iinil 

I  to  find,  k(>[it 
iarioH  ovor  put 
hole  routiiu)  of 
al,  lioHpitalilo, 
ot  to  giiHts  of 
ty.  Churi'Iu's 
ith  tlui  iitnioHt 
itieal  with  to- 

it  incuniliont 
anooiis  divino 
nday  morning, 
worship  in  the 
inthct'voning. 

lall  to  resunu' 
beenco  durinji; 
of  Iloproscnt- 
as  ho  walltcd 
l)V  a  snluto  of 
'  illustrious  ac- 
I,  for  fourteen 
r  been  absent, 
light  and  day, 
rtainlv  taking 
rest  than  ar  • 
vas  going  on, 
nind  from  tliat 
!  memory  nniy 
his  reason  and 
mired  ;  l)ut  I 
ipeecheH,   and 

II  vivacity. 

as  against  an 
di  slaves  who 
lawfully),  set 
iiring  as  advo- 
Uipreme  Court 
lirty  years  ab- 
in  eonimitteo 
le  Union,  with 
onted  debate, 
rongly  urged, 
the  Secretary 
m1,  the  Senate, 
us  opposition, 
nmittecof  the 
irted  foradop- 
1  Mr.  Adams 
trongf(>eling, 
unittee  of  the 
sr  to  give,  con- 
t  was  irrevers- 
rtheless  gave 
o  a  venerable 
ng  leave  for  a 
rty  with  ani- 
to  humanity 
3  eflfect  of  his 
IS  rejected  by 
It  speech  was 
5  would  have 
ding  on  that 


Chap.  X.] 


IITS  DKATir.  247 

attempted  renovation  of  decnying  roy- 


On  the  2lHt  February.  184S,  he  underwent  I  r 
liiHdcatli-strokt;  in  attempting  to  give  utter- 1  aity  in  Kurope,  ntruck  out  a  rciiuldic  like 
anee  to  an  emotion.  TIk'  House  of  Ite- 1  the  AiniTieaii,  driving  the  last  iTench  mo- 
presentiiti\('s  were  \oting  tiiiuiks  to  seve- 1  nareii  from  his  tiirone  as  .Vdams' jinipliftio 
nil  of  the  generals  in  tiie  Mexican  war,  to  spirit  left  tiie  eartli.  Mated  and  vilihed  as 
which  lie  was  opposed,  not  only  lieciiuso  of' he  had  lieen  in  the  Capitol,  his  death  was 
his  disapjiroval  of  t'  o  war  an<i  the  adminis-  ^  instantly  folhiwed  there  by  a  gush  of  unani- 
tration  charged  wi>     it,  but  because,  as  he  ^  moiis  veneration  for  his  nn^inory,  and  un- 


•lijected.  some  of  tlie  gcnierals  were  under 
charges  to  be  tried  for  iniHconduct.  Utter- 
ing his  nay  to  the  disrk's  call  for  vntes, 
with  the  petulant  vehemence  be  often  all'ect- 
ed,  as  il'  not  nuM-ely  to  negative  liut  stigma- 
tize th(^  in'opdsition,  and  soon  afterwards 
trying,  as  is  believed,  to  rise  and  say  some- 
thing, he  sunk  forward  in  his  H(!atsens(dess. 


bounded  respect  for  his  mortal  remains. 

iVdJourning  at  once  on  his  apparent,  tho 
House  of  ilepresentatives  adjourned  again 
the  next  two  days,  awaiting  his  actual  de- 
mise, and  then  tiic  restof  tlii^  week  for  his  ob- 
sequies. The  Mall  and  his  ciiair  were  drapiMl 
in  mourning  on  the  day  of  his  funeral,  antl 
many  of  the  houses  of  Washington  in  liko 
in  a  lit  of  mortal  jjiiralysis.  A  crowd  (d'j  manner.  ()bitnarynotic(>swer(!  pronounced 
meml)ers  rushed  to  his  help,  and  keeping  |  by  several  members  of  eatdi  House.  Forty 
my  pliK'e  at  some  distance,  I  di<l  not  see  j  tlioiisand  copies  of  them  wen^  distributed 
him    till    lifli'd    up    and  borne   off  by   l>r.  j  by   the   House,  together  with  the  funeral 


(icorge  Fries,  one  of  the  Ohio  meinliers 
who,  attended  by  many  others,  carried  him 
through  th(>  middle  aisl(>  out  of  the  Hiaise, 
by  the  centrt?  door,  into  the  rotunda,  whore 
])r.  Fries  in  his  laj)  sujuiortcd  Mr.  Adams, 
till  a  sofa  was  brouglit,  on  which  he  was 
laid  and  taken  into  the  Speaker's  room. 
Almost  inanimate,  he  is  said  to  have  uttered 
a  few  words,  "  'J'his  is  the  last  of  earth,"  as 
his  valedictory  to  the  world,  from  which  he 
had  prepared  for  conspicuous  dejiarture. 
His  family,  friends,  and  several  ministers  of 
the  Gospel,  soon  came  and  praycul  for  him, 
not,  however,  without  misunderstanding  as 
to  which  (dergyman  was  best  entitled,  and 
further  heartburning  afterwards  concern- 
ing their  invitations  to  tho  funeral,  as  pas- 
sionately preached  by  one  of  tho  disap- 
pointed from  tho  pulpit  tho  following  Sun- 
day. 

Few  Ijraver  men  have  lived  or  died  in 
emulous  vanity  of  patriotism,  like  a  siddier 
in  the  breach  or  martyr  at  the  stake,  intent 
on  daily  as  well  as  posthumous  celebrity. 
Mr.  Adams  longed  to  <lie  in  the  Capitol,  and 
surpassed  Chatham's  death,  which  ho  emu- 
lated. Chatham  did  not  die  in  Parliament, 
but  fainted  in  the  House  of  Lords,  when 
speaking  against  tho  Duko  of  Richmond's 
motion  for  acknowledging  American  inde- 
pendence, in  1778,  was  taken  home,  and  lin- 
gered a  fortnight  before  he  expired.  If  Adams 
could  have  expired  when,  as  well  as  where, 
he  wished,  itw(aild  have  been  nextday after 
his  attack,  the  22d  February,  AVashington's 
hirth-day,  instead  of  living  till  the  evening 
of  the  28d,  on  which  memorable  day,  how- 
ever, another  remarkable  coincideni^e  sig- 
nalized his  demise.  From  the  Duke  of 
Orleans'  first  installation  on  tho  French 
throne,  Mr.  Adams  confidently  predicted 
that  he  couM  not  remain  there ;  anointed 
neither  by  the  grace  of  God  nor  the  sove- 
reignty of  the  people, with  no  principle  for  his 
diadem,  which,  therefore,  Mr.  Adams  insist- 
ed, he  could  not  wear  to  the  end  of  life.    The 


liscourse  pronounced  tiiere  by  one  of  the 
(diaplains  in  presence  cd"  both  Houses.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  arrange  the 
funeral  cerenioiiies.and  another  committeo 
of  thirtv  members,  one  fur  eaidi  State,  to 
attend  tiie  body  to  the  birth  and  Inirial-placo 
of  tho  deceased  at  Quincy,  near  Boston, 
Transported  by  steam  and  announced  by 
electricity  throughout  the  long  viaticum  of 
several  hundred  miles  from  Washington 
to  Quincy,  much  of  the  whole  intermediato 
population  of  all  parties  and  colors,  and 
both  sexes,  thronged  the  city  streets  and 
flocked  to  the  places  of  temporary  deposit, 
reverentially  to  behold  the  face,  exposed  to 
view  by  a  glass  covering  on  the  upper  part 
of  tho  coffin.  Railroad  companies  and  other 
conveyances  refused  pay  for  the  transpor- 
tation. Cities  defrayed  the  expenses  of 
the  convoy  during  its  stay  within  them  re- 
sjiectively.  City  mayors,  clergymen,  and 
other  panegyrists,  vied  with  each  other  in 
eulogies  on  tho  departed  patriot,  whoso 
remains  were  displayed  at  Philadelphia 
in  the  hall  where  Independence  was  de- 
clared ;  at  New  York,  among  four  hundred 
thousand  inhabitants,  increased  from  forty 
during  Mr.  Adams'  manhood ;  and  at  Boston, 
surrounded  by  all  surviving  tokens  of  that 
birthplace  of  riotous  American  independ- 
ence. At  Quincy,  when  interred,  applause 
was  first  tempered  with  candor  in  the  final 
funeral  discourse,  which,  like  obituary  of 
F-gyptian  kings,  awarding  to  the  illustrious 
deail  many  excellencies,  sketched  also  some 
of  his  deficiencies,  denying  him  the  great- 
est quality  of  a  statesman,  talent  to  rule 
men,  to  found,  raise,  or  overturn  States. 

The  last  offices  of  the  pall-bearers  being 
performed,  the  committee  of  thirty  re- 
turned to  Boston  to  partake  of  the  elegant 
hospitalities  of  that  city,  whei-o  two  hun- 
dred and  more  sat  down  to  a  luxurious  en- 
tertainment, refreshed  by  the  viands  of 
America  and  the  wines  of  Europe.  At 
every  plate,  in  mid-winter  of  a  harsh  cli- 


people  of  Paris  verified  hie  prediction,  and  !  mate,  a  bouquet  of  flowers  cast  fragrance 


213 


IIAUUISON'  GRAY  OTIS. 


[1814. 


m 


-mj 


iiroiiml  tlic  tiiblo,  as  tlu'  IiotluMl  of  a  llinty  noil 
I'lrccH  tlif  in;;i'iuiity  of  N'l-w  Kii^laii'l  to  tlim- 
I'isliiii^  iixhisti'lal  ili'\i'Iii|iinriit,  .Mt'inlxTH 
of  ('(ingress  \M'n'  tln'rc  IViim  Athicii|piiM  anil 
Fldi'lilii,  \vlii'r((  III!  winter  ra;:;('.H;  IVuin  cotton 
;!;ro\vlii^'  .Mississi|i|ii ;  (Vom  Cliica^^o,  oni'c 
far  wi'st,  already  liiit  niiil-Avay  in  tlic  niardi 
of  rcimiilican  i;iii|pin'  ;  IVoni  nullityin<^ 
iSoMiii  Carolina:  and  ail  tliM  otiicr  Mlavc- 
lioMiM^  Htatcs ;  (d'  wIkmii  Mr.  Adams  had 
more  than  onci*  said,  diuin;^  tlm  last  year 
(d'  his  lil'i',  that  siavury  ninst  lio  oxtiriiati'd, 
thoii;^h  in  torrents  of  Idooij.  When  his 
tipiitlieosis  was  elevated,  iierhajiH  his  spirit 
anjonj^  the  quests  in  unity  at  the  JJos- 
ton  festival  of  merry  mourners,  in  thidr 
iniilst  arose  a  l)ri;j;nt  oeto;;enarian,  with 
Htill  sparklin;;  eye  and  musical  voice, 
whom  the  almost  deilieil  denarted  had 
marked  with  the  stamp  of  indidilile  ropro- 
hation,  as  putative  father  id'  tin;  Hartford 
Convention,  reuouncin;;  the  shaniu  td'  its 
]>aternity.  jV|ipealin^  with  smiles  to  the 
sympathies  (d"  a  national  auditory,  "you 
see  in  nu!,"  said  Harrison  (iray  Otis,  j^ailv, 
"a  live  Hartford  ('onvcntiou  nnm:"  and 
roadin;;  portions  of  the  residutions  whiidi 
lie  wrote  for  that  liody,  he  asked,  "  Is  there 
any  treason  in  this?"  For  the  first  time  in 
twenty  years  Mr.  Otis  then  appeared  at 
a  puldiu  mnctin;j;,  even  in  Boston,  after 
liis  martyrdom  of  attem))tcd  service  iu  th(> 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  withdrawn 
from  puldiu  life,  and  mark«'d  like  a  regicide 
for  voting  the  death  of  his  king.  Admired 
as  a  gentleman,  and  Ijtdoved  by  many 
friends,  JJo.ston  ami  Massachusetts  would 
still  have  awarded  him  public  honors  ;  but 
exiled  from  American  respect,  he  was  sen- 
tenced to  national  disfranchisemont.  ^\'hon 
President  Madison  cast  ab(jut  for  eminent 
citizens  to  ap)>oint  for  tho  mission  of  peace 
at  St.  Petersburg,  Mr.  Otis'  distinguished 
talents  and  position  were  taken  into  consi- 
deration, and  he  might  have  been  selouted, 
in8t(!ad  of  Mr.  Bayard,  to  negotiate  the 
peace  which,  attempting  surrcjttitiously  to 
compel,  stripped  him  of  all  his  well-earned 
national  honors. 

His  chief  accuser,  too,  lived  to  forgot 
Washington's  valedictory  precept,  indig- 
nantly to  frown  u[)on  the  iirst  dawning  of 
every  attempt  to  alienate  any  portion  of 
the  country  from  the  rest,  or  to  enfeeble 
the  sacred  ties  which  mtw  link  together  the 
various  parts:  iu  which  backsliding,  Mr. 
AdaniH,  as  member  of  Congress,  widely 
Htrayod  from  all  his  prior  and  presidential 
federalism  ;  encouraging,  1)y  the  pernicious 
example  of  an  eminent  statonman,  the  still 
grosser  deviations  of  inferior  followers. 
Neither  Hartford  Convention,  iiullitication, 
or  ex-prosidontial  denunciation,  however, 
has  d<jno  more  than  vulgarize  the  threat, 
disparage  the  States,  and  denationalize 
t'e  individuals  attcn»pting  that  patricidal 
extremity  of   factious  and    sectional  dis- 


affection, whi(li  has  been  always  ovor- 
powered  by  nopular  disgust,  a  id  frustrated 
by  territorial,  more  than  even  c  pustitutioiud 
impossibility. 

(Jf  the  committee  of  thirty  menibi^rsoi'tlie 
House  of  Hepresentatives,  an'ompanyiiig 
Mr.  Adams'  renuiins  to  the  jdace  o'"  [iter- 
merit,  besides  the  New  Kngland  members, 
somi>  representing  districts  in  other  States, 
were  natives  of  New  Mngland,  or  their  sons, 
and  others  had  been  educated  there.  When, 
therefore,  the  Boston  wake  closed  at  mid- 
night, after  pledging  the  memory  of  John 
(^lincy  Adams,  and  the  health  oi'  Harrison 
(iray  Otis,  the  wlude  assembly  united  iu 
singing  the  venerated  Hundredth  Psalm: 

"  Ye  nations  round  (he  eRrlh  rejoice, 
llefore  the  Lord,  your  suvereiKii  kiiiK; 
S'^rve  him  willi  clieerful  lieiirts  uud  voice— 
Willi  ull  your  tongue*  hit  glory  sing." 

The  positions,  recollections,  and  vicinage 
of  Boston,  combined  to  render  it  in  1814, 
what  it  has  since  become,  a  city  of  gri'at 
inlluence  throughout  America,  by  com- 
merce and  intelligence,  whose  merchants 
are  the  best  educated  in  the  world.  Cam- 
bridge llniversit\,  iu  oiu!  id"  its  suburlis,  is 
the  oldest,  rii  best,  and  most  celebrated  of 
American  cidleges.  Boston  harbor,  capable 
of  containing  a  thousaml  ships  in  deep 
water,  protected  from  storms  by  numerous 
islands,  from  enemies  by  a  narrow  entrance, 
guarded  by  forts  Warren  and  Independence, 
has  Copps'  Hill,  Lexington,  Concord,  Dor- 
chester, Il()xl)ury,  and  other  classic  grounds, 
hard  by,  to  call  to  mind  the  daring  exploits 
of  an  uncommon  jjopuliition,  whose  intel- 
ligence, enterprise,  and  advancement  palpi- 
tate in  every  throb  of  American  national 
existence,  ^ot  a  church,  or  a  forum,  a  medi- 
cal hall,  or  counting-house,  but  is  con- 
tinually replenished  by,  and  both  Houses 
of  Congress  acknowledge  the  intelhjctual 
contributions  of,  those  New  Kngland  States, 
of  which  Boston  is  the  capital.  The  name 
of  mixed  reproach,  admiration,  and  aver- 
sion by  which  the  whole  country  is  known 
in  others,  conu's  from  those  thickly  settled 
througlumtall  its  borders,  composing  a  uni- 
versal Yankee  nation.  But  nniny  innocent 
persons  burned  to  death  from  religious  ha- 
tred, the  Revolution  begun  by  a  respectable 
mob,  and  the  ju-evalenc*!  of  metaphysical  re- 
finements on  Christianity,  nnirk  a  peculiar 
and  intolerant  community.  AVhile  Vice-Pre- 
sident Gerry  at  Cambridge,  Judge  Story  at 
.Salem,  an(i  the  patriai'chal  ex-president, 
John  Adams,  at  Quincy,  zealously  sustained 
the  war,  ami  Madison's  administration  of  it, 
a  largo  majority  united  with  Mr.  Otis,  Mr. 
Ciuiucy,  Governor  Strong,  and  others,  to 
oppose  both,  among  them  Mr,  Thomas  H. 
Perkins,  whoso  princely  fortune  and  esta- 
blishments w(!re  staked  on  his  errand  as 
one  of  the  miniscers  of  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention. 

Should  the  British  North  American  pro- 


[1814. 

Ill  ways  over- 
11  111  fnistniti'il 
ic  jii.Htitutii)iial 

nr'tulK'rsof  tlii« 
a((iiiii|iiiiivinn 
jilaci'  I)''  iiti'i'- 
laml  iiKMiiliiM'M, 
II  (itlicr  States, 
,  or  tliciir  HI. lis, 
1  there.  When, 
L'loMdd  at  iiiid- 
univy  of  .Jdjiii 
til  lit'  llarrlsijii 
ilily  uiiiti'tl  iu 
L'dtli  Pwttlm : 

lice, 
[11  Icinir; 
I  uiul  voice— 
r  giiiK." 

*,  and  vicinage 
lor  it  ill  1814, 
city  of  f^rcat 
rica,  by  cinn- 
i.si!  lunndiiintH 
world,  Cam- 
its  KtilmrJis,  is 
(•('Icliratod  of 
arhoi",  I'mialilo 
diijis  ill  deep 
i  by  nuiuitrouH 
iTow  entrance, 
Indijpendeiice, 
Concord,  Dor- 
assicf^roiinds, 
ariii";  o.xjdoits 

wlioHu  intcl- 
iconient  jialpi- 
icaii  national 
foriun,  amedi- 

biit  is  con- 
both  Houses 
!  intellectual 
if^hiiid  States, 
The  name 
in,  and  uvor- 
itry  is  known 
liickly  settled 
ipohing  a  uni- 
lany  innocent 
relli^ious  ha- 
a  respectaldo 
taphysical  ro- 
rk  a  peculiar 
lile  Vice-1're- 
ulf^c  Story  at 
ex-president, 
isly  sustained 
stration  of  it, 
Mr.  Otis,  Mr. 
id  others,  to 
.  Thomas  II. 
ne  and  osta- 
lis  errand  as 
lartford  Con- 

mericau  pro- 


Cii.ir.  XI.] 


UNITED  STATES  BANK. 


249 


viiices  heconio  parts  of  tlii'se  I'liited  States,  land?  dwindled  to  worse  than  irisi^jniH. 
with  the  Newl'oiiiidliiinl  lislieiies,  and  eaiice.  If  disiiiiinii  was  the  desi);n  of  ilio 
whores,  the  mariners  of  N'ew  i'ln^^laiid  mas-  Hartford  Cipiiventinii,  no  part  of  tle".i'  Init- 
ters  of  the  I'aritie  and  Atlaiilir  oceans,  cd  States  has  gained  so  innili  by  \r^  frus- 
iiiiist  concentrate  a  larpt  portion  of  the  Irationas  flu- authms  of  that  desi;iii :  wliosn 
I'liiiiiiii'rce  of  the  j;!()be  in  iJostoii.  iiiit  moral  ti'ea>nii  ami  iiioial  piiiiishiiicnt  are 
without  that  union,  whicli  too  many  of  its  anion;;  the  meiiiorable  events  of  (hat  war, 
aiijiry  inhabitants  resisted,  what  now  would  j  and  sunset  [dcd^^cs  of  jicrpeluatcd  free  go- 
bo  Uoston,  Massachusetts,  and  Now  Kuj'- 1  venimcut. 


ciiAi'Ti'Ui  xr. 


Tilt:  BANK  AS  ATTEMPTED  ANU  I'REVKNTED  IN  1S14. 


Ov  the  4tli  January,  1S14,  a  yoiin^  man 
of  Loiii;  Island,  New  York,  John  fielferts, 
one  of  the  (iele;;atioii  from  that  State,  pre- 
sented a  (letitioii,  sij^noil  by  one  liiiiKlnMl 
and  fifty  of  its  inhaliitaiits,  dated  l.Sili  De- 
cember, bSl;'),  prayiii;;'  for  the  cstablislimeiit 
of  a  national  bank,  with  a  capital  of  thirty 
millions  of  dollars;  oifcriii^  to  loan  hall" 
that  sum  to  the  };ovcriini(^iit ;  and  statiiiji 
as  reasons  fur  the  bank  that  its  means  of 
lendinj;  to  governnuMit  would  be  niiuli 
f^reatcr  than  those  of  the  state  banks; 
and  all  the  fiscal  concerns  of  pivcrnment 
much  liottor  conducted  by  it  than  by  them. 
Such,  they  said,  had  been  its  experience. 
The  whole  circulatin;j;  medium  of  the  United 
States,  tifty  millions,  is  now  appropriated 
liy  the  stockholders  of  the  State  banks  to 
their  own  purposes,  who,  in  lieu  of  it,  cir- 
culate their  own  jiaper;  whereas  by  a  na- 
tional bank,  the  whole  peojile  would  receive 
the  benelit  of  its  funds.  The  political  ef- 
fects, this  petition  added,  would  be  as  usiiful 
as  its  fiscal  and  economical.  It  would  in- 
duce num  of  property  all  over  the  L'uitcd 
States  to  invest  their  moans  in  a  national 
institution  tendinj^to  jiorpetuate  the  Union. 
On  Jlr.  Calhoun's  motion,  the  jietition  was 
print(?d.  On  Mr.  Leftbrt's  motion,  it  Avas 
referred,  contrary  to  the  desire  of  Mr.  Cal- 
houn and  others,  to  the  committeo  of  ways 
and  means,  of  which  Jefferson's  son-in-law, 
John  AV.  Eppos,  an  uncompromising  enemy 
of  a  national  bank,  was  chairman,  and  the 
other  members  were  J(din  Taylor,  •lonathan 
lloborts,  William  Creighton,  Willis  Als- 
ton, Alexander  McKini  and  William  Coxe. 
This  important  committee  consisted,  as 
Mr.  Speaker  Clay's  cominittoes  mostly  did, 
of  a  decided  majority  of  members  of  his 
own  rarty.  The  genei-al  principle  is  to  ap- 
point two  to  one,  or  tivo  to  two  of  a  commit- 
tee consistlnjf  of  seven  members,  like  this. 
The  only  Federalist  upon  it  was  Mr.  Coxe 
of  IJurlington,  New  Jersey,  a  well-informed 
and  respectable  gentleman,  but  not  one  who 
ever   uuulo  speeches.    A  majority  of  the 


eoinmittee  at  that  time  denied  coiistitu* 
tioiial  power  to  charter  a  bank.  The  in- 
tliience  of  the  Kx(!ciitive,  disorder  of  the 
currency,  and  tendency  of  piiblie  opinion, 
c  iiieiirred  to  render  eventuiilly  such  an  in- 
stitution  HO  convenient,  as  to  resolve  the 
(|iU'stioii  of  coiiKtilutiouality  into  that  if 
neces>ity.  It  was  siippoHtd  to  beeoine  e-- 
seiilially  necessary  to  the  execution  of  a 
power  expressly  delegated  by  the  ConsVitu- 
tioii.  The  coniniercial  interest  had  no  re- 
preseiitati\e  on  that  committee  but  ^Iv. 
Niclvim,  of  ISaltimort',  an  intelligent  nier- 
(diaiit:  while  the  landeil  interest  was  largely 
represented  by  Mr.  Kppes,Mr.  lloberts,  Mr. 
Alston,  and  perhaps  Mr.  Taylor  and  Mr. 
I  Creightoii,  who  at  any  rate  were  v\ itliout 
j  seaport  sympathies  with  inhabitants  of 
I  commercial  marts,  to  whom  banks  were 
most  familiar  and  acceptable,  in  ft  few 
days,  therefore,  on  the  lUtli  January,  1814, 
^Ir.  Eppes  reported  in  three  lines  of  conclu- 
sive rejection  from  the  committee,  that  a 
j  national  bank  is  unconstitutional ;  and  there 


the  matter  seemed  to  be  ended  with  u  flat 
negative  of  the  possibility  of  any  bank.  On 
the  4th  February,  on  Mr.  Calhoun's  motion, 
however,  the  committee  of  the  whole  House 
was  discharged  from  further  consideration 
of  the  rejtort  of  the  committee  of  ways  and 
means  on  the  petition  for  a  national  bank ; 
and  both  report  and  petition  were  referred 
to  the  ciimmittee  of  ways  and  means,  with 
instructions  to  inquire  into  the  expediency 
of  a  national  biuik  iu  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia; to  be  located,  the  resolution  said,  in 
that  district.  IJy  that  escape  of  the  ques- 
tion of  unconstitutionality,  the  first  of 
Mr.  Calhoun's  steps  in  the  movement  was 
taken.  On  the  19th  February,  Mr.  Taylor 
from  that  committee  reported,  accordingly, 
a  bill  for  the  establishment  of  a  bank  in  the 
city  of  AV'ashington,  with  a  capital  of  thirty 
millions  of  dollars,  declaring,  however,  him- 
self o)iposed  to  the  report  and  plan,  which 
was  also  ojiposed  by  several  other  members, 
and  had  few  iricuus,  uoue  probably  among 


.'•■■    HI 
i'      III 


L;^- 


m 


'li  ^' 


250 


SIMON  SNYDER. 

— « — 


ir'i 


the  President's  a^''^erents.  Like  the  first 
attempt  by  Mr.  Lefferts,  that  second  one  by 
Mr.  Cariioun  proved  an  al.iortion. 

On  tlio  2(1  of  April,  1814,  Felix  Grun<ly 
moved  for  the  appointment  of  a  connnittoe 
to  in((uire  into  the  ex]>ediency  of  establisliinf;; 
a  national  bank  ;  which  resolution,  Tlionias 
Newton  moved  to  postpone  indefinitely. 
The  motion  for  indefinite  postponement,  by 
mixed  votes,  in  which  parties  were  con- 
founded, was  lost  by  seventy-one  ayes  to 
eighty  nays.  An  amendment  to  confine 
the  bank  within  tlie  District  of  Cobunl)ia 
got  only  thirty-two  votes.  Grundy's  motion 
was  tlien  carried  by  a  majority  of  seven, 
seventy-six  to  sixty-nine ;  and  a  special 
committee  appointed,  consisting;  cd"  Felix 
Grundy,  Thomas  J.  Oakley,  John  C.  t'al- 
houn,  \Vm.  Gaston,  John  G.  Jackson,  Wil- 
liam Lowndes,  Artemas  Ward,  Samuel  D. 
Inghiiin  and  Jonathan  Fisk.  Of  tiiese  nine, 
only  (iue,  Mr.  Jackson,  was  opposed  to  a 
bank,  and  that  imly  as  unc(»nstitntional, 
and  th(!re  was  some  prospect  of  its  success. 
But  the  session  was  then  too  Tiear  an  end 
for  anything  requiring  time  and  discussion. 
On  tlie  18th  of  April,  18U,  Congress  ad- 
journed till  the  last  Monday  in  t)ctol)er  fol- 
lowing, and  thus  every  effort  to  create  a 
national  bank  then  failed;  (Jrundy's  in 
April,  like  Mr.  Calhoun's  in  Feliruary,  and 
Lefferts'  in  January.  During  those  four 
months  the  circulation  of  the  wliole  country 
Avas  distempered.  Without  national  finan- 
cial reservoir,  ignorant  and  avaricious  state 
legislation  supplied  an  unwholesome  cur- 
rency, taken  from  the  turbid  and  often 
stagnant  pools  of  local  banks  erected  in 
virtual,  if  not  actual  violation  of  tlie  Federal 
Constitution. 

The  course  of  hostilities,  before  Congress 
met  again,  gave  color,  if  not  cause,  for  resort 
to  a  national  institution. 

The  official  statements  of  the  twenty-six 
banks  of  Massachusetts,  rendered  in  Janu- 
ary, 1814,  and  iiublishcd  by  order  of  the 
Senate  of  that  State  on  the  20th  of  that 
month,  reported  nearly  seven  millions  of 
ppccie  in  their  vaults.  Simon  Symier,  the 
Crovernor  of  Pennsylvania,  in  his  message  of 
the  P.)th  of  March,  1814,  putting  his  veto  on 
the  bill  of  the  legislature  of  that  State,  creat- 
ing the  litter  of  forty-one  banks,  de(dared, 
"a  fact,  well  ascertained,  that  immense 
sums  of  specie  have  been  drawn  from  the 
Ijanks  of  Pennsylvania  and  certain  other 
States,  to  pay  balances  for  British  goods, 
which  Eastern  mercantile  cupidity  has 
smuggled  into  the  United  States,  The  de- 
mand for  specie  has  in  conse(|uence  been, 
and  is  still  so  great,  that  the  banks  in  Phila- 
delphia and  in  some  other  parts  have  stopped 
discounting  any  new  paper.  Siiall  we  in- 
crease this  pressure?  Shall  we  indire(!tly  aid 
our  internal  and  external  enemies  to  destroy 
our  fund.i  and  embarrass  the  government, 


[1814. 
already 


an  intclli- 


Lycreatingforty-ononow  banks,  which  must   Premier  Pitt  with  the  commons,  prelates 


have  recourse  for  specie  to  that 
much  exhausted  source?  Is  tliere  i 
gent  man  in  Pennsylvania  who  belii'ves  that 
a  bank  note  of  any  description  is  the  repre- 
sentative of  specie?  Forty-one  new  banks, 
with  a  nominal  capital  of  seventeen  millions 
of  dollars,  upon  the  bare  payment  of  one- 
fifth  part,  slmll  have  the  rfght  to  throw 
into  circulation  an  additional  overwhelming 
Hood  of  [)aper  money!" 

The  banks  which  flooded  the  State  with 
paper,  and  ruined  hundreds  of  people,  in- 
toxicated the  prosperity  and  swelled  the 
seeming  capital  ofthewhide  commonwealth. 
Those  who  endorsed  for  each  other  to  bur- 
row crtsdit  of  the  banks,  compelled  to  piiy 
when  they  could  not,  wcn'c  many  of  them 
ruined.  The  sheritt"  sold  the  houses  thoy 
built  and  farms  they  im))roved  by  bank  <iis- 
eounts  ;  but  the  houses  and  farms  remained 
in  the  hands  of  otlu-r  owners,  and  the  in- 
fatuation continued  unuliated.  One  of  the 
most  respectable  iiKuiibers  of  that  legisla- 
ture, Mr.  Thomas  Sergeant,  voted  with  the 
majority  to  overcome  the  veto,  for  fear,  he 
said,  of  its  recoil.  The  year  before  he  voted 
against  the  bank  bill  which  provided  for 
twenty  banks.  The  exasperated  mercenaries 
who  solicited  them  threatened  to  resume  the 
eft'ort  next  year  for  forty  instead  of  twenty ; 
for  why,  said  those  ignorant  and  rapacious 
men,  should  the  cit}^  of  Philadelphia  make 
all  the  money  for  the  State?  Accordingly, 
when  their  threat  was  realized  in  1814,  by 
a  bill  for  forty,  Mr.  Sergeant  and  the  Go- 
vernor's nephew,  (iieorge  Kremer,  voted 
for  the  forty,  not  because  they  approved 
them,  but  (dreaded  an  infliction  the  year 
after  of  eighty.  In  such  geometrical  ratio 
of  usurpation  have  those  scourges  of  Ameri- 
can industry  and  morality  multiplied  till 
near  a  thousand  disorder  the  currency,  im- 
poverish the  community,  and  grind  the  poor. 

The  tanner  governor  of  Pennsylvania  was 
the  first  of  that  Democratic  dynasty  of  chief 
magistrates,  ruling,  as  he  said,  by  com- 
mon sense  instead  of  the  lawyer  learn- 
ing of  common  law,  triumyihantiy  chosen 
throughout  his  constituti(»nal  term  of  nine 
yeaYs,  as  Shakspeare's  grave-digger,  philo- 
sophizing 01!  the  skulls  of  lawyers,  states- 
men and  courtiers,  had  said,  "  a  tanner 
shall  last  you  nine  years."  In  spite  of  his 
eloquent  remonstrance,  pregnant  with  the 
wisdom  of  political  economy,  the  constitu- 
tional two-third  rule  of  lawyers,  bankers, 
brokers,  speculators  and  their  creatures  in 
the  legislature,  vanquished  the  veto,  and  let 
loose  the  ravages  of  irredeemable  paper  mo- 
ney. Sci(uice,  experience,  the  Constitution 
and  common  sense  contended  in  vain  against 
avarice  and  fraud  trampling  down  all  obsta- 
cles at  Ilarrisburg,  as  on  such  occasions  they 
always  have  at  London  and  at  Paris.  But 
the  Regent  Duke  of  Orleans,  with  the  splen- 
did aristoi  racy  of  France,  in  179t>,  and  the 


[1814. 

i.at  already 
•oiui  intclli- 
iclicvos  Unit 
rt  tlic!  rojiro- 
now  b;iiik«, 
(cn  millions 
iciit  of  ono- 
it  to  throw 
Twholminp; 

Statn  witli 

IH'onlo,  iii- 

swellod  tho 

inonwcialtli, 

Iwr  to  bnr- 

llcd  to  \n\y 

ny  of  tlioiii 

lidUHOs  tiioy 

)y  liank  dis- 

is  remained 

and  the  in- 

Ono  of  the 

that  leji;isla- 

tcd  with  the 

,  for  fear,  he 

fore  ho  voted 

provided  for 

mercenaries 

0  resnmo  the 
d  of  twenty ; 
id  rapacious 
elphia  make 
Accordingly, 

1  in  1814,  by 
and  the  Go- 

•emer,  voted 
ey  approved 
ion  the  year 
letrical  ratio 
Hes  of  Ameri- 
ultiplied  till 
urrency,  im- 
■ind  the  poor, 
sylvania  was 
ia«ty  of  chief 
lid,  by  com- 
Lwyer  learn  ■ 
intly  chosen 
term  of  nine 
lip:Rer,  philo- 
ryers,  states- 
,  " a  tanner 
1  spite  of  his 
ant  with  the 
the  constitu- 
3rs,  bankers, 
creatures  in 
!  veto,  and  let 
lie  paper  mo- 
Constitntion 
I  vain  a<»ainst 
iwn  all  obsta- 
^casions  they 
Paris.  But 
th  tiie  splen- 
7'.)0,  and  tho 
uns,  prelates 


Chap.  XI.] 


STATE  BANKS  STOP  PAYMENT. 


281- 


and  peerage  of  Great  Britain,  in  1797,  yield- 
ed to  tho  paper  storm,  which  tho  tanner  go- 
vernor resisteil,  though  in  vain,  in  1814. 

A  member  of  the  State  Senate  of  Pennsvl- 
vania,  then  dawning,  who  afterwards  f^dl 
a  blazing  meteor  from  the  finnanient  of 
banks,  in  1814  a  young  man  of  fine  talents, 
temper  and  address,  well  educated,  and  im- 
rrovod  by  the  fin  h  of  European  travel, 
Nicholas  Biddle,  was  erne  of  tno  mintirity  \ 
who  stood  by  Simon  Snyder  against  that! 
reckless  and  senseless  revival  of  continental 
money,  issued  on  corporate,  so  much  worse 
than  public  credit.  Another,  who,  as  Se- 
cretary of  tho  Treasury',  struggling  to  undo 
Jackson's  soldier  grip  of  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States,  tearing  ont  its  vital  deposits, 
when  by  Nicholas  Biddle  as  defyingly  de- 
fended as  assaulted,  William  J.  ])uane, 
who  mediated  in  that  battle  of  giant  com- 
batants, resolved  tfi  rule  or  ruin — likewise 
in  the  ori.sis  of  1814,  as  a  memiier  of  the 
Pennsylvania  legislature,  voted  with  the  mi- 
nority, vainly  sustaining  (Jovernor  Snyiler. 

The  banks  of  Boston,  full  of  ill-got  gain, 
those  of  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Bal- 
timore, drained  nearly  to  emptiness,  tho 
capture  of  Washington  on  the  24th  of  Au- 
gust, 1814,  brought  on  the  panic  which  was 
instantly  followed  by  the  stroke  of  palsy. 
Tho  banks  of  that  forlorn  metropolis  fell 
empty  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  nine 
banks  of  Baltimore  being  nearest  the  dis- 
aster, quickly  gave  way.  On  the  30th  of 
August,  1814,  the  presidents  of  the  sixbanks 
of  Philadelphia  gravely  and  gladly  adver- 
tised that  they  were  no  longer  able  to  pay 
C')in.  Large  importations  of  foreign  goods 
into  eastern  ports  had  drained,  they  com- 
plained, the  eastern  banks  ;  a  drain  in- 
creased by  trade  in  British  government  bills 
of  exchange,  causing  larp  sums  to  be  ex- 
ported from  the  United  Siuios.  The  lianks 
of  Philadelphia  thus  annmmcing  their  own 
insolvency,  publicly  ascribed  to  the  trea- 
sonable practices  of  those  of  Boston,  next 
day  a  meeting  of  a  committee  from  all  the 
New  York  banks,  considering  that  tho  Phi- 
ladelphia banks  had  suspended,  considera- 
bly indebted  to  those  of  New  York,  affect- 
ing the  utmost  regret,  nevertheless  found  it 
necessary  to  stop.  The  usurpation  of  bank 
imposture  thus  established,  reigned  for  se- 
veral years  without  interruption,  redress,  or 
almost  com])laint.  Large  discounts  and  ilivi- 
dends  ruled  with  impunity  and  ilagrant 
wrong.  Th(^  banks  yielded  to  tho  always 
desirable  necessity  of  submitting  to  irre- 
sponsible promises  and  inflated  tlividends  ; 
protesting  aversion,  like  lewd  women  ra- 
vished in  a  sacked  town.  Village  pigmies, 
hardly  pretending  to  meta1li(!  subsistence, 
of  course  followed  their  city  betters.  South 
and  west  of  Now  England,  everywhere  the 
whole  frail  sisterhood,  with  affected  regret, 
gliidiv  f^ubmittnd  together  to  revel  in  ruin. 

On' the  4th  of  Jlarch,  1814,  the  Baltimore 


banks  solicited  tho  Secretary  of  the  Trea- 
sury to  suggest  an  act  to  Congress  ren- 
dering foreign  gold  a  legal  tender  and  pre- 
venting exports  of  specie.  The  Boston 
banks  surfeited  with  it,  and  spawning  small 
notes,  the  precursors  of  smaller,  worse  and 
still  more  abominalile,  nick-n.amed  shin- 
plasters,  triumphed  in  the  derangimient  of 
the  currency  of  the  war-waging  States,  and 
niocke<l  the  agonies  of  the  federal  govern- 
ment. The  Eastern  press  and  pulpits,  with 
Timothy  Pickering  in  Congress,  openly,  and 
others  by  connivance,  decried  all  banks 
subscribing  to  war  loans.  One  extroniity 
of  the  Union  rampant  with  the  means  of 
disaffection,  the  rest  reduced  to  paper  mo- 
ney, the  whole  monetary  system  disordered, 
the  sudden  and  overwhelming  capture  of 
Washington  gave  the  finishing  stroke.  Mo- 
ney entirely  <lisappeared,  excej)t  where  vir- 
tually represented  by  small  notes,  which 
constituted  the  exclusive  circulation  then, 
as  they  still  do,  in  New  England  and 
N'ew  York.  Tho  ashes  of  the  capital  and 
the  feculence  of  currency  forced  the  se- 
cond edition  of  a  national  bank.  Begin- 
ning with  a  ruined  circulation  to  rectify, 
its  outset  disordered  by  disgraceful  specula- 
tion of  its  own  officers,  after  some  years  of 
precarious  existence,  fluctuating  even  when 
well  established  between  expansion  and 
contraction,  delirious  in  decline  and  tre- 
mendous in  dissolution,  with  too  much  ca- 
pital for  the  Union  controlling  the  Stato 
banks  till  driven  from  it  and  constrained 
to  become  one  of  them,  with  that  unwieldy 
capital,  then  protracting  caducity  by  un- 
warrantable contrivances,  the  great  mis- 
tress of  banks  broke  at  last  with  a  catas- 
trophe not  confined  to  America,  but  felt  in 
Europe  and  in  Asia.  Notes,  which  in  Chi- 
na, India,  and  England  had  been  taken  as 
better  than  gold,  proved  worthless  in  the 
hands  of  impoverished  and  defrauded  hold- 
ers. Worse  than  the  frauds,  illegalities 
and  immoralities  of  stupendous  confusion 
by  paper  money,  through  tho  deranged  re- 
sources of  the  flourishing  commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  maledictions  of  Eng- 
lish holders  of  its  stocks,  the  stigma  of  re- 
pudiation of  public  debts  was  unjustly  and 
audaciously  fixed  on  the  national  charac- 
ter of  tho  American  people.  The  Constitu- 
tion of  tho  United  States  saved  them,  after 
the  war  of  1812,  from  bankruptcy  by  jiaper 
money  repudiation  like  that  which  followed 
the  war  ()f  tho  Revolution.  Since  that  soli- 
tary revolutionary  repudiation,  the  United 
States  have  never  failed  in  tho  punctual 
payment  of  their  debts,  and  are  the  only 
nation  that  has  extinguished  them  all, 
though  cursed  with  a  debased  and  vile  cur- 
rency. (Jreat  Britain  for  three  and  twenty 
years  repudiated  just  as  her  fundh(dder3 
reproached  Pennsylvania;  and  pays  the  in- 
terest of  debts  which  the  most  credulous 
cannot  hope  will  ever  be  extinguished.    If 


.  ar' 


252 


THE  TREASURY. 

— • — 


[1814. 


.^^;^''  r 

km:- 


;ii'  5' 


^^i; 


■•i 


I 'I 


iSm 


StiUc  laws  could  ovado  tho  Federal  Constitu- 
tion for))idding  le}!;al  tender  of  paper  money, 
the  enormous  iniquity,  of  which  an  act  of 
Englisl:  Parliamont  was  the  seducing  exam- 
ple, might  have  found  American  imitators 
aggravatinj'  Englisli  fraud,  a<  Americans 
are  prone  tu  jxaggorate  hnglisn  improprie- 
ties, and  English  triljulation  to  restore  coin 
might  have  proved  intolerable  throughout 
so  many  sovereign  States,  empowered,  it 
seems,  to  grant  intangible  bank  charters. 
Moreover,  excepting  that  federal  safeguard, 
our  monetary  system  is  worse  than  the  Eng- 
lish, its  suspensions  more  inevitable,  and  its 
destruction  more  fatal.  English  dej)rcciation 
was  uniform  and  universal ;  American  as 
various  as  different  localities,  and  as  much 
worse  as  one  dollar  notes  or  less  are  worse 
than  one  pound  notes  or  live  dollars.  Rills 
of  circulation,  defended  by  the  Malagrow- 
ther&  of  the  Scotch  novelist,  may  fertilize  by 
irrigating  there.  But  they  depress  and  de- 
grade American  labor.  Nowhere  in  the 
world  is  small  paper  money  so  pernicious, 
so  inexcusable,  so  unnatural  or  so  absurd 
as  iu  America.  Whether  a  national  bank 
is  the  Uiost  cfiectual  prevention  of  it  and 
the  best  moans  of  a  sound  convertible  cir- 
culation, tho  disasti'ous  fate  of  the  second 
bank  has  precluded  the  fair  ascertainment. 
Mother  country  aberration  more  than 
reconciled  this  to  bank  suspension.  The 
banks  were  not  complainedof.  When  Jack- 
son substituted  them  as  safe  depositories  of  |  to  borrow  worthless  Dank  notes  t 
the  public  money  in  preference  to  the  na- 
tional bank,  their  paper  emissions  of  the 
war,  loaned  to  tho  government  for  money, 
were  eulogi/od  as  acts  of  patriotism.  In- 
dispensable brokers  were  cursed,  and 
an  inevitable  war  blamed,  for  all  the 
vexatious  inequalities  of  prices  and  em- 
barrassiuents  of  ti-avel.  Few  percdvcd — 
uone,  or  hardly  any,  denounced  —  the 
losses  they  sujjmitted  to.  Prices  rose, 
business  was  brisk,  dividends  increased, 
the   press   was    interested   to    sustain  in- 


fidence  is  the  greater  because  they  adopt- 
ed this  salutary  measure."  Thus  necossity 
fashioned  public  opinion  for  a  Bank  of  the 
United  States. 

By  taxation  put  off  till  hostilities  lan- 
guished, through  thlrtec!!  months  of  want 
and  fear,  and  when  at  last  enacted  in  July 
1813,  not  to  go  into  effect  till  i  ■'■14,  when  the 
war  was  nearly  over;  within  n,  oen  months 
of  its  termination,  the  income  averaged  but 
about  twelve  millions ;  of  which,  eight  Avere 
taken  for  interest  of  former  debts  and  for 
ordinary  civil  expenditures.  There  was 
but  about  one  million  sterling  to  make  head 
against  a  mighty  and  vindictive  foe,  relieved 
from  all  other  enemies,  with  one  hundred 
millions  a  year  to  take  vengeance  with  on 
us.     Three   millions   of  treasury  notes  in 

1812,  six  millions  in  1813,  and  eight 
in  1814,  bearing  interest  at  five  and 
two-fifths  per  cent.,  always  reimbursable 
within  one  year,  much  reduced  the  os- 
tensible avails.  Though  the  first  loan  of 
six  millions  in  1812  was  got  at  par,  that  of 
twenty  millions  in  1813  cost  one  hundred 
and  thirteen  dollars  for  each  hundred,  and 
the  twelve  millions  of  1814,  with  difficulty 
obtained,  cost  one  hundred  and  twe;.ty-fivo ; 
diminishing  means  all  paid  in  pri;  ■  ''<'nrc- 
ciating  more  and  faster  tiian  it  w..  ■  ')le 
either  to  i-eckon  or  prevent.  M  :  rhe 
last  loan  was  not  paid  at  all ;  th-  o.icract 
was  broken  from  inability  of  the  contractor 

loan  go- 
vernment. The  body  politic  wuo  sick,  its 
blood  was  diseased,  and  strongtli  wasted, 
when  the  capture  of  Washingtou  j^avo  the 
finishing  blow. 

There  had  been  no  Secretary  of  the  Trea- 
sury from  Mr.  Gallatin's  retreat  in  May, 

1813,  when  he  embarked  on  his  pilgrimage 
for  peace,  determined  never  to  return  with- 
out it.  Daring  the  disconsolate  interval, 
from  May  1813,  till  February  1814,  Mr. 
Jones  imperfectly  performed  the  routine 
duties  of  that  vital  organ ;  who,  on  tho 
23d  of  July,  1813,  in  the  midst  of  our  first 
session,  in  a  report  res])ecting  duties  on 
prize  goods,  not  only  overruled  iMr.  Gial- 
iatin's  and'  Adam  Smith's  opinion,  but 
by  quoting  iludibras,  as  a  fiscal  reason. 
Mr.  Gallatin's  position  was,  that  tiie  duties 
on  importations  are  paid  by  consumers; 
to  which  Mr.  Jones'  reply  was  "the 
maxim  derives  more  w(Mght  from  the 
felicity  of  artiument  and  commanding  cha- 


Uation,  and  flattering  facilities  of  trade 
intoxicated  tho  community.  A  school  of 
modern  economists  arose,  of  whom  a  bro- 
ther of  the  English  chief  justice,  connected 
with  AV'ashington's  family — another  Law — 
was  one  of  the  first  precei)tors,  who,  like 
the  Vansittarts,  Percivals  and  other  phari- 
saical  ennobled  of  Pitt's  fidlowers  in  Eng- 
land, denied  the  value  of  bullion  and  tauglit 
the  superiority  of  paper.     While  the  bank 

was  umlergoing  its  many  trials  iu  Congress,  j  racter  of  the  greac  author   of  the  Wealth 
oven  Mr.  Calhoun  was  pleased  with  that  j  of  Nations,  than  from  the   universality  of 

tho  princi|)le.  It  is  uiidou))tedly  true  iu 
tho  abstract ;  but  my  exporieiu'c  as  a  mer- 
chant has  taught  mo  to  know  the  |)ra(;tical 
value  of  a  maxim  derived  from  an  author 
of  a  lighter  cast : 


novelty.  The  National  Intelligencer  was 
tilled  with  its  metaphysics.  That  cabinet 
gazette,  transplanted  from  oven  Simon 
Snyder's  organ,  the  Democratic  Press  of 
Philadelphia,  that  "  all  men  of  business, 
property  and  patriotism  considered  that  the 
IMiiladelphia   banks   acted   wisely    in  sus- 

E ending   specie  payments.     The  directors 
avo  tho  public  coutidcnce,  and  that  cou- 


"  Whiit  is  llic  worth  of  anylliiinf 
liut  so  muuli  money  us  Hwill  bring?" 

Hamilton's  master  reports,  and  Gallatin's, 


[1814. 

they  adopt- 
lus  necessity 
Bank  of  the 

)stilities  lan- 

itlis  of  wiiut 

voted  in  July 

14,  when  the 

uen  montlis 

averaged  hut 

1,  eight  -were 

libts  and  for 

There  was 

to  ma,ke  head 

0  foe,  relieved 

one  hundred 

ance  with  on 

iiry  notes  in 

,    and    eiglit 

at    five    and 

reimbursable 

uced   the    os- 

tirst  loan  of 

it  par,  that  of 

one  hundred 

hundred,  and 

with  difficulty 

dtwei.ty-tive; 

p!i;     ■''"t)re- 

two      ■-Vie 

M     ■    >i   fhe 

til-     o.itract 

the  contractor 

;e8  to  loan  gu- 

wao  sick,  its 

inigth  wasted, 

gtou  gave  the 

■y  of  the  Trea- 
:reat  in  May, 
lis  pilgrimage 
0  return  with- 
jlate  interval, 
iry  1814,  Mr. 
d  the  routine 
who,  on  the 
1st  of  our  first 
ing  duties  on 
uled  iMr.  Gal- 
opinion,  but 
fiscal  reason, 
that  the  duties 
ly  consumers ; 
ly  was  "the 
:;lit  from  the 
imandlng  cha- 
.f  th.i  Wealth 
iniversality  of 
itedly  true  in 
ence  as  a  nier- 
V  the  pvaiitical 
L'oni  an  author 


ill  bring?" 

andClallatin's, 


Chap.  XI.] 


ALEXANDER  JAMES  DALLAS. 


253 


in  unpretending  prose,  had  ill  prepared  the 
community  for  lyrical  economy ;  at  whose 
interpolation  in  a  finance  report.  Congress 
laughed,  while  the  community  complained 
of  obstinate  dereliction  of  the  most  import- 
ant department. 

At  last,  during  the  Avintcr,  Mr.  Madison 
received  private  intelligence  from  Mr.  (5al- 


er,  Jonathan  Fisk,  Thomas  J.  Oakley,  AVil- 
liam  (Jaston,  and  Samuel  D.  Ingham — the 
last  named  for  Jonathan  lloliorts,  gone  to 
the  Senate.  'William  Creighton,  retained, 
favored  a  bank;  which,  by  this  new  con- 
struction of  the  committee  to  pass  upon  it, 
had  no  opponent  except  tlie  chairman,  and 
the  ablest  a<lvocatos  in  Mr.  Daston  and  Mi". 


latin  that  he  was  no  longer  to  be  expected ;  Oakley,  with  friends,  also  of  ability,  in  Mr. 
and  it  became  indis])ensable  to  fill  his  place.  Ingham  and  IMr.  Fisk. 
For  that  purpose  the  President  had  long  The   "eeretary  of  tie  Treasury,  Mr.  Camp- 
been  thinking  of  Mr.  Dallas,  to  whom  lie  bell,  on  the  20th  of  Septem)  er,  1814,  sent 


was  personally  much  attached,  and  of  whoso 
abilities  he  had  formed  a  high  estimate. 
The  desire  to  get  him  into  the  cabinet  was, 


in  his  report  on  the  state  of  the  finances, 
deplorably  indicating  that  he  had  not  been 
successful  in  their  g(Nstion.     Of  the  loan  of 


how(>ver,  nearly  disappointed, -ind  for  some    twenty-five  millions  authorized  in  March, 


months    more    of    treasury   stagnation    at 
least  deferred.     On  the  10th  of  February, 


1814,  ten  millions  had  ])een  advertised  for 
in  May,  only  S9,7!)r),0r)0  got  for  the  ten  mil- 


1814,  the  Senate  confirmed  the  appoint-  lions,  and,  at  a  very  losingrate,  81,900,000  of 
ment  of  Albert  Gallatin  as  one  of  the  tlio  ten  contracted  to  be  jiaid  was  not  naid. 
mission  to  (Jottenburg.  Xext  day,  George  In  Atigust  six  millions  more  were  adv^irtiscd 
Washington  Campbell  of  Tennessee  re-  for,  of  which  only  a})ont  two  and  a  half  mil- 
signed  his  seat  in  tlu  Senate,  on  being  ap- 1  lions  could  be  olitained,  and  that  small  sum 
pointed  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  [  at  80  for  100;  the  S(!cretary's  plea  for  taking 

Both  the  Pennsylvania  senatoi.-:,  Jona-  it  at  that  ruinous  rate  being  that  80  was  the 
than  Jloberts  and  Abner  Lacock,  were  of  j  market  price  of  the  United  States  stocks, 
that  portion  of  tho  itepublican  party  of'  He  had  to  submit,  moreover,  to  the  condi- 
Pennsylvania  opposed  to  Dallas.  Mr.  Ro- 1  tion  ex.acted  by  the  lenders,  that  if  any  other 
lierts'  setiat'',i-ial  predecessors,  Jir.  Leit^  and  |  sum  was  liorrowod  at  less,  their  loan  should 
General  Lacock,  were  so  inimical  to  him  j  be  put  down  to  that  of  the  lowest.  An  at- 
that,  v<lien  sounded,  by  Madison's  dircv;-  tempt  to  eflfect  a  loan  in  Europe  altogether 
tion,  as  to  his  nomination,  they  fiatly  ro- 1  failed.  Outstanding  treasury  notes  amount- 
fused  the"  votes  in  Sen.ite  for  a  mere  I'hi-  ed  to  six  millions;  internal  taxes  yielded 
lad'.iphia  lawyer,  as  they  contemptuously  |  less  than  three  millions;  custcmis  only  about 
t<'rnicd  Mr.  D^ill.is,  out  of  favor  with  the  |  four.  The  Secretary  faintly  suggested  some 
great  bulk  of  the  Democratic  party,  against  j  increase  of  taxation  ;  but  not  a  word  of  a 
which  he  and  Mr.  Jones,  with  others,  not  |  bank,   to  whicdi  ho  probably  was  not  in- 


clined, and  Avhich  was  reserved  for  Secre- 
tary Dallas'  approaching  advent.  This  state 
of  financial  atrophy,  the  toils  and  chagrin 
of  the  treasury,  depriving  Mr.  CampboTl  of 


long  beft)rc  the  war,  had  taken  sides  with 
the  Federalists,  at  first  defeating  Simon  Sny- 
der, tho  favorite  of  the  country  and  ulti- 
mately prevailing  democracy.     Before  Mr. 

Campbell  was  selected  as  Secretary  of  the  1  health  and  confidence,  brought  him  to  the 

determination  to  resign,  which  ho  did,  im- 
mediately after  his  report,  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1814. 

"  Tell  Doctor  Madison,"  said  Senator  La- 
cock to  the  President's  private  secretary, 
"that  we  are  now  willing  to  submit  to  his 
Philadelphia  lawyer  for  head  of  tho  trea- 
sury. The  public  patient  is  so  very  sick 
that  we  must  swallow  anything  the  doctor 
prescribes,  however  nauseous  the  bolus." 
On  the  5th  of  October,  1814,  Alexander 
James  Dallas  was  nominated,  and  the  next 
day  confirmed  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury; 
whose  exydoits  and  laboi's,  his  ii;trepidity 
and  firmness,  gave  fresh  impulse  to  the  war 
for  the  few  months  that  it  lasted  after  bis 
coming — from  October,  1814,  till  February, 
18 If) — and  rescued  the  treasury  from  tho 
disgraceful  inanition  it  had  fallen  to  during 
tho  prior  twenty-eight  months  of  hostilities. 
Arms,  revenues.  nati(Muil  power  and  re- 
source were  just  elevated  to  the  proper  war 
standard  when  it  ended — never  till  then. 

On  the  revolution  of  parties  in  i801,  when 
tho  federal  government  had  '  oen  recently 


Treasury,  when  John  W.  Eppes  and  others 
were  thought  of  by  Madison  as  Mr.  Galla- 
tin's succ(%ssor,  and,  I  believe,  tho  place  was 
tendered  to  Mr.  Cheves,  who  declined  it, 
tho  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Jones,  was  au- 
thorized to  write  to  Dallas,  informing  him 
of  the  absolute  necessity  of  appointing  a 
successor  to  Mr.  Gallatin,  and  asking  Mr. 
Dallas  to  take  his  place.  Mr.  Rush  and  I 
also  wrote,  strongly  urging  him.  William 
Pinkney  having  just  then  resigned  the  at- 
t-orney-generalship,  the  choice  of  that  pla(!e 
or  the  treasury  was  presented  to  Mr.  Dallas, 
who  declined  both  early  in  February,  1814. 
Appreheiuling  the  hostility  of  Lacock  and 
Leib,  Mr.  Madiscm  would  not  expose  Mr. 
Dallas  to  the  mortification  of  rejection  by 
the  Seuiite :  which  was  too  probable,  if 
both  Pennsylvania  Senators  opposed  him. 
He  was  not'then  appointed,  but  Mr.  Camp- 
bell became  the  Secretary  for  a  few  months. 
Mr.  Spciaker  Cheves  changed  the  com- 
mittee of  w  -ys  and  means,  leaving  Eppes 
at  its  head,  but  excluding  Alston,  M'Kim, 
and  Coxc,  and  substituting  Stc  enson  Arcli- 


.*. 


h. 


%.    ii 


BANK. 

— ♦ — 


[1814. 


"i^'iir 


transf(U'ro(l  from  riilliKlclpliia  to  Wasliinj^- 
ton,  Mr.  l)all!i.s  was  apjioiiitcd  ]>y  Jcffor.soii 
tlu)  District  Attoni(>y  ol"  IV^iuisj  Ivaiiia.  Dur- 
iu{;  the  «u(!ct'0(linj;  thirteen  vcars  oi"  r(!|)iil)- 
lieau  ascendency  Ik;  was  always  uscifnl  and 
well  known  to  tlu-  >i;en('ral  }:;overnnient,  a 
leadinj;  member  ol'  tlie  distin^juished  har  of 
l*liiladel;)hia,  and  active  in  tlio  polititis  of 
Pcnnsyhania — thouj^li  not,  from  Simon 
Snyder's  election,  in  ISOS,  in  piirfcct  har- 
inon\  with  the  Democratic!  party.  J'hila- 
delpliia,  from  IT'.U)  to  ISOI  tlie  metropolis 
of  the  Union,  trained  lawyers  there  to  <li.s- 
CU8S  all  the  j^reat  topics  of  national  and 
international,  constitntional,  maritime  and 
elevated  jurisprudence;  to  which  the  judi- 
cature of  a  large  seaport  in  a  cimsiderable 
State  also  contributed.  Mr.  Dallas  had 
tilled  important  State  offices,  was  the  au- 
thor of  several  volumes  of  law  reports, 
and  well  reputed  an  a  gentleman,  jirej)os- 
sessinp'  iu  figure  and  address,  for  lilieral, 
literary,  and  liospital)ie  qualities.  Still,  his 
reputation  was  local.  Never  a  member  of 
any  lejj;islative  body,  that  first  credential  of 
a  public  man  in  ])opular  fj;overninent  was 
not  his  passport  to  preferment.  Perhaps 
newspaper  abuse,  as  ho  was  an  active  and 
very  uble  partisan,  was  the  chief  means  of 
his  notoriety.  Not  known  to  have  ever 
turned  his  attention  to  finance,  and  profuse 
in  his  own  expenditures,  the  usual  detrac- 
tion met  liis  selection  for  the  treasury,  by 
sneering  qt.eries  whore  our  new  Seci'etary, 
Madisjn's  stiange  choice,  had  learned  his 
political  economy,  or  any  economy  at  all. 
As  his  bold  stand  and  vigorous  measures, 
from  the  very  outset,  surprised  most  and 
disconcerted  many,  some  of  the  old  Repub- 
lican economists,  who  voted  for  war  but 
shrunk  from  its  cost — Macon  particularly 
— desired  to  know  if  their  experience  of 
many  years  in  public  uflfairs  was  to  be  all 
at  once  set  at  naught  by  a  mere  Philadel- 
phia lawyer,  whose  powdered  hair,  old-fa- 
shioned but  ostentatious  uress  and  graceful 
manners  were  far  from  merits  in  many  ob- 
serving eyes.  Macon  complained  of  Dallas' 
high  tone  to  Madison;  and  the  President 
cautioned  his  Secretary  against  giving 
umbrage  to  that  vanity  of  place  which  is 
inveterate  with  members  of^  Congress  im- 
mediately representing  portions  of  sove- 
reignty. From  the  very  outset  Dallas 
denounced  inefficient  measures.  Unlike 
Gallatin  and  Campbell,  both  brought  up,  by 
service  in  Congress,  to  that  reverence  of  its 
power  to  which  the  President,  too,  had 
served  his  api)renticeshii(,  Dallas  laid  hold 
of  the  crisis  to  bear  him  out  in  loud  calls 
for  increased  taxes,  and  more  taxes  on  eve- 
rything taxable.  The  conjuncture,  crowned 
by  sack  of  the  capital,  was  fortunate  for  a 
minister  determined  to  rally  the  people,  and 
bring  forth  their  resources,  with  their  patri- 
otism, to  rejiel  a  foe  who  everywhei'o,  except 
at  Washington,  was  defeated  as  his  arro- 


gance and  l)arbavism  increased.  It  was  tlio 
nionu<nt,  i:s  ho  was  the  man,  to  con(|uer(>x. 
pensive  ])arsiniony,  and  not  be  ovet  nice 
with  restiv(i  constitutional  scruiiles  in  the 
legislature. 

Macon  aboun(h'd  in  pavaldes  and  radical 
axioms.  One  of  his  sayings  was  that  jxijwr 
monci/  never  wni  beat ;  a  maxim  which  I)!il. 
las  enforced  with  a  sway  perhaps  indis- 
pensable. Whatever  was  his  niot've  for 
refusing,  in  February,  the  statioa  he  sd 
earnestly  assumed  in  October,  the  fail  of 
Washington,  suspension  of  s])ecie  I  ayments, 
blockade  of  ail  our  coasts,  interru|.*ion  of 
most  business,  professional  and  other,  con- 
centration of  all  thoughts  on  war,  took  l.i>n 
to  his  post,  bent  on  a  bank  of  the  Unr  jd 
States  as  the  only  regulator  and  curb  of  :he 
State  banks,  a  principal  one  of  which,  tiie 
Hank  of  Pennsylvania,  he  had  been  auii  ng 
tiie  leading  Republicans  of  that  State  to 
charter  as  a  counteraction  of  a  national 
bank.  The  first  bank  (""  tl;e  United  States 
had  always  been  a  hard  money  institution. 
The  State  banks,  after  its  charter  expired, 
the  4th  of  March,  IfSll,  poured  out  their 
papci,  much  of  it  in  small  notes,  which 
became  the  chief,  and  from  their  suspen- 
sion just  before  Dallas  went  to  the  trea- 
sury, the  only  currency,  and  that  in  local 
circulation.  Intimate  with  Albert  (lallatin, 
Stephen  (Jirard,  David  Parish,  John  Jacob 
Astor,  and  nmny  other  of  the  financiers 
and  commercial  capitalists,  he  imbibed 
their  ideas  as  he  enjoyed  their  confidence. 
Some  of  the  old  Rejiublicans,  Oen.  Samuel 
Smith,  the  Livingstons,  and  other  northern 
politK'ians,  pronounced  a  national  bank  the 
best  relief.  Contrary  to  the  original  judg- 
ment by  which  he  so  powerfully  protested 
against  its  constitutionality.  President  Ma- 
dison was  brought  to  yield  to  the  weight  of 
the  imposing  authorities,  federal,  state,  legis- 
lative, judicial  and  executive,  which  nearly 
every  where  and  every  how  sanctioned  its  con- 
stitutionality. More,  much  !.../!•■>  than  that, 
notwithstanding  Madison's  beautiful  denun- 
cia.ion,  in  the  Federalist,  of  the  pestiunce 
of  paper  nu)ney,  he  was  subdued,  if  not  to 
discard  coin  altogether  as  the  basis  of  a 
bank,  at  least  to  disown  its  just  and  indis- 
pensable proportion.  Hamilton's  bank,  pre- 
ceding the  monster  bank  fraud  of  the  Lng- 
lish  government  in  17t)7,  never  issued  a 
note  for  less  than  ten  dollars.  After  a  strife, 
extending  through  several  sessions  of  Con- 
gress, Dallas'  bank,  but  for  veto  upon  veto, 
would  have  legalized  not  only  five  dollar 
notes,  but  suspension  of  coin  pavments. 

On  the  14th  October,  l«li,  Fppes,  for 
the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  "  hav- 
ing had  under  consideration  the  support  of 
public  credit,  by  extending  taxation,  offi- 
cially infor»Uod  the  Secretary  that  their 
report  was  suspended  to  afford  him  an  oppor- 
tunity of  suggesting  any  other,  or  such  ad- 
ditional provisions  as  mif;lit  be  necessary  to 


[1814. 

1.  It  wus  tlio 
•  c(iii(|ii('r('x. 
lie  ovci  iiii'(i 
•iil)li>s  in  tho 

H  finil  i-iidiciil 

IS  tliiit  ]ia))cr 

u  W'liicii  Dal- 

ni'lia])s  iiidis- 

s    iHot'vft   for 

itatioa  lio  .s(i 

r,_  iho  fill!  of 

cio  J  ii^'iiii'iits, 

t('rru|>ion  of 

(1  otlii!!',  con- 

viir,  took  i.i'ji 

f  tlio  Uiil,  •(! 

(1  curl)  of  :he 

>f  wliii'li,  t'.ii) 

boon  iiiiii  njj; 

that   Stiito  to 

f  ii  iisitionul 

UuIUhI  States 

y  institution. 

liter  expired, 

red  oui  their 

notes,  wliieh 

their  snspen- 

b  to  tho  trea- 

tliat  in  h)cal 

bert  C.alhvtin, 

1,  John  Jacob 

tlio  financiers 

he    imbibed 

?ir  confidence. 

,  (Icn.  Samuel 

)ther  northern 

ional  bank  the 

original  judg- 

fully  [irotestcd 

President  Ma- 

I  tho  weif^ht  of 

pal,  state,  legis- 

,  which  nearly 

ctioneditscon- 

I.,  r"  than  that, 

lautilul  donun- 

the  pestii<,nce 

liied,  if  not  to 

he  basis  of  a 

ust  and  indis- 

Dn's  bank,  nrc- 

,id  of  the  Lng- 

evcr  issued  a 

After  a  strife, 

ssioiis  of  Con- 

eto  upon  veto, 

ily  five  dollar 

payinenta. 

li,  Eppos,  for 

means,  "  hav- 

tho  support  of 

taxation,  offi- 

iry   that  their 

I  him  an  oppor- 

er,  or  such  ad- 

jo  necessary  to 


CnAr.  XI.] 


DALLAS'  BANK. 


255 


revive,  and  maintain  rnimpaired,  the  ))ublic 
credit."  In  three  days,  forthwith,  on  the 
17th  of  that  month,  Mr.  hallas  sent  his  ex 
tensive  answer,  Htroii;;ly  recoinnn^nding  the 
national  bank,  of  which  h;;  submitted  out- 
lines, asserting  that  repeated  sanctions  had 
settled  the  constitutionality,  of  what  was 
"the  only  efficient  remedy  for  a  disordered 
cundition  of  our  circulating  medium,  a  safe 
depository  for  tho  public  treasure,  and  con- 
stant auxiliary  to  the  public  credit,"  adding 
that  the  Secretary  would  "not  merit  the 
confuh^ico  which  it  would  bo  his  ambition 
to  acquires  if  he  sujipressed  the  declaration 
of  an  opinion,  that  in  these  times  the  estal)- 
lishment  of  u  national  bank  will  not  only 
be  useful  in  promoting  the  general  welfare, 
but  that  it  is  necessary  and  proper  for  car- 
rying into  execution  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant powers  constitutionally  vested  in 
the  government." — Hamilton  went  no  far- 
ther, if  so  far. 

The  second  bank  followed  the  prece-'ent 
of  tho  first  in  its  origin,  (^)ngress  asked 
for  neither  openly;  if  at  all,  it  was  by  un- 
published understanding.  15oth,  according 
to  tlin  public  jouruiils,  caino  of  executive 
initiation,  and  both  as  mere  engines  of 
public  credit.  An  order  of  tlie  House  of 
Keprosentatives,  the  9th  August,  17'J0,  re- 
quired Secretary  Hamilton  to  prepare  and 
report,  at  the  next  session,  such  further 
provision  as  might,  in  his  opinion,  be  ne- 
cessary for  f^ftablishing  tho  public  credit. 
From  that  hint,  if  such,  on  the  13th  De- 
comber,  1790,  his  report  promised  a  bank 
of  the  United  States  in  the  first  sentence 
— tho  first  five  words.  Organic  law  of 
September,  1789,  made  it  his  duty  to 
prepare  plans  for  tho  support  of  public 
credit,  so  that  the  s{)ecial  order  of  tiiO  House 
was  a  work  of  supererogation.  In  like 
manner  a  call  in  October,  1814,  by  the 
House  of  llopresentativ(;s,  through  their 
committee,  on  Secretary  Dallas,  for  addition- 
al provisio.is  by  extended  taxation  to  support 
public  credit,  with  no  allusion  to  a  bank, 
ju'oduced  in  three  days  his  report,  strongly 
recommending  one  of  which  he  prosent- 
eil  a  plan.  All  four  of  tho  national 
banks  passed  by  Congress,  in  1791,  181G, 
liS;)2,  and  1841,  wore  Treasury  suggestions, 
adopted  by  acts  originating  in  Senate,  oven 
the  two  vetoed  by  two  presidents,  in  1814, 
and  1841.  The  first  bank  began  and  end- 
ed in  Senate,  without  rocharter,  by  the 
casting  vote  of  tho  vice  president,  (Jeorge 
(.'linton,  in  ISll,  after  having  been  indefi- 
nitely postponed  by  a  casting  vote  in  the 
House  of  llepresentativos.  President  Wash- 
ington did  not  approve  the  charter,  till 
the  eleventh  day  after  its  passage,  notwith- 
standing tho  constitutional  provision  for 
ten  days,  as  the  Sundays  were  not  counted. 
Tho  Senate  conimitte'?,  by  whom  it  was 
originated,  Averc  Caleb  Strong,  Governor  of 
Massachusetts  during  the  war  of   1812, 


i.obort  Morris,  General  Scliuyl(>r,  tiio  fa- 
ther-in-law of  llaiuilton,  Oliver  llilsworth, 
afterwards  Chief  Justice,  and  Pierc*;  But- 
ler. The  bank  bill  approved  l)y  Madison, 
tho  10th  April,  1810,  began  in  .Si-iiatc,  and 
was  agitated  liy  reiterated  trials  in  both 
llous<;s  of  Congress,  from  Junuary  1814, 
when  tiiu  nubject  was  introduced,  for  more 
than  two  years  before  an  act  was  carried  to 
the  Prcsiihiiit,  to  \^'hich  lie  would  wet  his  sig- 
nature. Tho  bank  coniuicncement  in  1817, 
and  end  in  1841,  were  not  equally,  only 
because  the  latter  was  more  disastrous. 
The  liank  of  England  lias  been  radi- 
cally altered  in  1844.  Its  bankruptcy  in 
1797,  ju'otractcd  bv  acts  of  Parliaiuent  till 
182;},  was  the  mother  imposture  of  all  tho 
lesser  ones  of  the  thousand  ofl'spring  of  that 
iniquity  since  pullulated  throughout  the 
United  States. 

On  the  24th  October,  1814,  in  .comn  ittee 
of  the  whole  House,  with  Timothy  Pitkin  in 
the  chair,  the  standing  committoe's  reported 
resolution  that  it  is  expediei't  to  establish 
a  n:vtional  bank,  was  carried  by  ayos  0(5,  to 
40  nays,  without  one  word  of  debate.  The 
committee  then  rose  and  reported  it,  to- 
gether with  resolutions  considerably  in- 
creasing taxation.  On  the  28th  of  that  month 
tho  House  passed  upon  the  report  of  the 
committee  of  the  whole,  for  a  bank  with 
branches  in  the  States ;  when  State  sove- 
reignty was  laid  low  by  a  vote  of  138  to 
14;  Richard  Stanford,  of  North  Carolina, 
a  gendeman  of  the  Macon  school's  motion, 
to  strike  them  out,  being  rejected  by  that 
overwhelming  majority.  Three  great  States 
were  then  supplying  the  deficiency  of  Con- 
gress to  vote  armies  adequate  to  the  crisis, 
to  succor  and  maintain  the  Union,  when 
Congress  resolved  to  enter  their  borders 
by  banking  establishments,  with  command- 
ing regulations,  transcending  all  other 
federal  and  even  martial  law.  As  soon 
as  that  vote  was  taken,  the  House  adopted 
tho  resolution  for  a  bank,  with  branches 
in  the  States,  by  93  ayes  to  54  nays. 

Eppes,  and  tho  constitutionalists  thus 
deposed,  and  many  of  them  not  sorry  to 
bo  so,  for  many  thought  tho  bank  expedient 
who  could  not  consider  it  constitutional,  tho 
resolution  was  referred  to  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means,  to  bring  in  a  bank  bill, 
and  on  the  7th  November,  1814,  Jonathan 
Fisk,  now  become  the  leader  of  the  measure, 
reported  the  bill,  Avliich  was  in  due  form 
twice  read,  and  committed  to  the  committee 
of  the  whole  House.  It  was  essentially 
Mr.  Dallas'  jdan,  with  some  modifications, 
however.  He  sought  ftiid  had  a  personal 
conference  with  the  committee  of  ways  and 
means,  in  wl-lon  he  explained  and  enforced 
his  views  with  all  tho  eloquent  earnestness 
of  which  he  was  capable.  The  capital  was 
to  be  fifty  millions  of  dollars,  one-fifth  in 
gold  or  silver,  three-fifths  in  loan  stock, 
and  one-fifth  in  treasury  notes  j  the  United 


:i   ■ 


,1^:^ 


I- 

■fK, 


.lit,* 
If 


256 


CALTIOTTN'S  TLAX. 


[1814. 


Mf'^f^^S  ■'} 


<",'■, 

•.>.■>-.', 

'^■■'■a'- 

t 

/  .  j  I,' :. 

t. 

'•*,:v,.M  ;■■ 

.'■■••'•i.'-*'^  . 

•,;''..•.  ■■ 

';.;'•■  ■■  '< ' 

Ip 


•^'t;i 


t 

!■ 

■A 

i 

Statoa  to  stihsprilio  for  twonty  millionH,  nnd  I  motion,  in  ordor  that,  next  <1ay,  Mr.  Calhnun 
tlic  bank  not  to  icini  tlicm  at  any  oni-  time  |  nii^^lit  Hnhniit  liis  jirojcct.  .Strikin;^;  out  all 
more  tiiun  tlirco  Iniiiiln   I  thousand  dollars ;  I  t^oMTiuncnt   interest  in   or  (•ontr(d  of  tlio 


no  other  hank  to  lie  created,  and  this  one  to 
hi  \  twenty  years,  its  notes  reeeivahle  in  all 

[ul)lie,  payiniMifs  ;  and  the  J'resideiit  of  the 
Inited  States  was  antliori/.ed  to  dir(M*t  teni- 


])orary  suspension  of  speeie  payments,  if  at 
any  time  tlierc^  slnaild  ho  an  nndtni  nress- 


suspension 

le  tlierc^  sli 
uro  for  th(Mn,  cither  for  exportation,  or  with 
sinister  (lesi;j;n  to  injure  the  hank. 

On  the  l.Uh  and'  14th  November,  1.S14, 
came  on  the  battle — not  of  the  hank,  but 
of  the  stocks:  for  the  small  proportion 
of  coin  was  not  much  considcroil;  hut 
the  prevailing  controversy,  to  which  the 
•yrhole  scheme  ultimately  fell  a  victim,  was 
what  stocks  should  compose  the  capital. 
The  frightful  power  suggested,  for  the 
President  to  su.^pend  specie  payments, 
such  as  the  Emperor  of  the  French  or  of 
Russia  never  could  have  exercised  witli- 
out  national  convulsion,  and  for  exercising, 
something  far  short  of  which  to  save  a 
country,  Jackson  was  severely  punished 
soon  after  at  New  Orleans — that  awful  ille- 
gality was  little  dwelt  on  in  discussion, 
though  expunged  before  the  hill  was  finally 
lost,  and  the  withdrawal  of  that  monstrous 
license  was  a  principal  cause  of  the  failure 
of  the  bill.  Mr.  Webster,  late  in  the  discus- 
sion, advocated  the  indispensable  virtue  of 
coin.  The  capital  should  not  exceed,  he 
contended,  twenty  millions;  all  notes  not 
on  presentation  paid  in  specie,  should  bear 
interest  from  thi.-  moment  they  were  refused ; 
and  penalties  should  be  inflicted  on  direct- 
ors who  put  notes  in  circulation  while  syje- 
cie  payments  were  suspended.  Mr.  Gaston, 
too,  in  several  speeches,  deprecated  the 
amount  of  capital,  which  he  moved  to  re- 
duce from  fifty  to  twenty  millions,  and  the 
inordinate  disproportic>n  of  paper,  whiidi  he 
likened  to  Law's  Mississippi  scheme  and  the 
assignats  of  the  French  llevohition.  During 
the  eleven  days'  discussion  that  ensned,  from 
the  14th  to  the  20th  Novomlior  (with  some 
interruption),  many  motions  and  speeches 
were  made  which  need  not  be  mentioned, 
mostly  concerning  the  government  subscrip- 
tion, direction,  and  other  functional  parts 
of  the  plan,  and  on  the  constitutional  ([ues- 
tion.  On  the  10th  Novem1)er,  Mr.  Calhoun 
struck  in  with  his  triumphant  project, 
which  carried  all  before  it,  by  large  majori- 
ties, on  repeated  divisions,  till  at  last,  un- 
der the  direct  and  energetic  interposition 
of  Jlr.  Dallas,  both  their  phins,  in  severe 
co'lision,  wore  rejected,  and  all  others 
w.th  them.  On  the  15th  November,  1814, 
(,'eoi'ge  JJradbur}',  of  Massachusetts,  niovecl 
to  substitute  future  for  past  loans,  denonnc- 
j.ig  the  whole  plan,  however,  as  a  contriv- 
ance to  issue  paper  ])romising  to  pay  more 
pap(;r,  a  mere  paper  money  bank.  Mr. 
Calhoun  got  the  committee  to  rise,  for  the 
day,  and  Mr.  Bradbury  to  withdraw  hi.s 


bank,  together  with  the  ))resi(lentinl  power 
td' suspension  ;  tin;  bank  not  to  be  compelled 
to  loan  any  money  to  government;  his  phin 
was  a  capital  of  forty-four  millions  of  trea- 
sury notes,  to  be  provide(l  by  future  acts  of 
Congress,  of  which  twenty  to  be  thrown  as 
fast  as  )>ossible  intocirculatiim;  fifteen  mil- 
lions to  be  disposed  of  s(t  as  to  convert  them 
into  stocks;  five  millions  applied  to  redeem 
treasury  notes  falling  duo  at  the  commence- 
ment of  next  year;  thus  raising,  as  Mr. 
Calhoun  reckoned,  the  price  of  stocks  so 
much  as  to  afford  a  bonus  for  the  hank,  and 
indirectly  a  loan  to  the  government,  wliich 
was  to  receive  exclusivelv  the  liank  notes 
in  payment  of  all  taxes,  (futies  and  public 
del)ts.  Hy  this  plan,  Mr.  Calhoun  argued, 
with  liis  usual  cogency  and  ardor,  the 
treasury  would  be  relieved  from  immediate 
pressure,  public  credit  permanently  ele- 
vated, and  a  permanent  as  well  as  safe 
circulating  medium  afforded.  Six-fiftieths 
of  the  capital  were  to  ho  paid  in  coin. 
John  Forsyth,  Samuel  D.  Ingham,  and 
Jonathan  Fi'k  attacked  the  Calhoun  pro- 
ject, which  AVilliam  Lowndes  and  Thonni?, 
J.  Oakley  defended.  Its  severest  and  mo?  t 
strenuous  assailant  was  Mr.  Ingham,  some 
3'ears  afterwards  one  of  Mr.  Calhoun's 
warmest  adherents.  My  unimportant  help 
was  also  given  in  a  speech  vindicating  tlio 
treasury  plan.  Mr.  Ingham,  afterwards 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  the  beginning 
of  Jackson's  administration,  w-as  Secretary 
Dallas's  most  effective  advocate  for  pro- 
visional if  not  spurious  doctrine,  which 
the  crisis  pleaded  by  Dallas'  report  miglit 
render  then  justifiable,  but  which  neither 
Mr.  Madison,  Mr.  Dallas,  nor  Mr.  Ing- 
ham conld  deem  permanently  proper. 
Vindicating  the  English  liank  suspension 
and  its  American  exaggeration,  Mr.  Ing- 
ham declared  that  "  necessity  sometimes 
requires  suspension  both  at  h  )mo  and 
abroad;  and  with  the  existing  cr ndition  of 
the  spe(de  medium  of  the  country  in  full 
vi(!w  i)efore  us,  it  would  b(>  a  species  of 
J'rontic  cntlniainum  not  to  provide  for  the 
case."  It  was  stated  in  Senate,  as  a  reason 
forgiving  government  contr(d  of  specie  jiay- 
ments  during  war,  that  whatever  amount  of 
coin  might  be  placed  in  the  United  States 
liank,  would  inevitably  be  drained  from  it 
by  the  enemy  and  his  American  confede- 
rates. Cost  what  it  might,  that  fatal  opera- 
tion would  be  effected.  Covernment  had 
got  ''ol''  if  1. 1 -/oason.'ible  contract  with  Bri- 
tish agents  to  furnish  them  with  as  much 
specie  as  there  probably  was  in  the  coun- 
try. At  that  time,  though  the  Boston 
hanks  were  full  of  it,  the  State  treasury 
of  Massachusetts  was  almost  without  any 
funds,  and  dependent  on  loans  from  tlfe 
hankf  for  all  the  State  had  to  pay.     On  the 


[1814. 

,  Mr.  Ciilhnun 
•ikiTi^f  (lilt  all 
mtrol  (if  tlio 
It'iitial  jKiwor 
1)0  conipclliMl 
ont;  liis  ])lan 
lions  of  ti'oix- 
futiUM!  acts  of 
lie  thrown  as 
i;  fifteen  mil- 
convert  them 
iod  to  rodoem 
le  conimonce- 
ising,  as  Mr. 

of  atocka  so 
the  hank,  and 
imont,  which 
c  1)ank  notes 
8  and  public 
houn  argued, 
d  ardor,  the 
)m  ininicdiatc 
iianently  ele- 

well  as   safe 

Six-fiftieths 

laid   in   coin. 

Ingham,   and 

Calhoun  pro- 

and  TlKimaR 
rest  and  niof  t 
[nghani,  some 
[r.  Calhoun's 
iipcn'tant  help 
ndicating  the 
II,  afterwards 
the  beginning 
was  Secretary 
icato  for  pro- 
ictrine,  which 

report  might 
which  neither 
nor  Mr.  Ing- 
Hitly  proper, 
ik  suspension 
:ion,  Mr.  Ing- 
ity  sometimes 
xi  h  )me  and 
g  c<^  ndition  of 
ountry  in  full 
!  a  species  of 
■ovide  for  the 
ite,  as  a  reason 
1  of  specie  jiay- 
ver  amount  of 
United  States 
rained  from  it 
rican  confedc- 
at  fatal  opera  ■ 
vernnient  had 
tract  with  Bri- 
with  as  much 
s  in  the  coun- 
h  the  Boston 
State  treasury 
t  without  any 
lans  from  tlie 
)  pay.     On  the 


Chap.  XI.] 


CALHOUN'S  TLAX  REJECTED. 


m 


19ih  November,  Mr.  Lowndes,  supported 
1)V  Mr.  Forsyth,  but  earnestly  resisted  by 
Mr.  Calhoun,  made  an  unsuccessful  effort  to 
reduce  the  capital  from  fifty  to  thirty-five 
I  I'llions.  That  day  the  committee  of  the 
wliolo  rose  and  reported  the  bill,  so  altered 
that  even  the  clerk  could  not  read  the  nu- 
merons  and  extensive  amendments,  carried 
by  de(;!isive  majorities.  It  was,  therefore, 
ordered  to  lie  on  the  table,  and  bo  printed. 
On  the  21st,  22d,  2;5d  and  25th  November, 
1814,  the  House  by  numerous  votes  con- 
firmed the  adoption  in  committee  of  Mr.  Cal- 
houn's, rejeoting  the  administration  plan. 
On  !!.o  25th  November,  Mr.  Lowndes,  stat- 
ing that  reference  to  another  select  com- 
mittee might  accomplish  reconejlliition  of 
views,  Avhich  ho  thought  further  debate 
would  rather  in^  reaso  than  diminish,  moved 
and  carried  that  reference.  The  new  com- 
mittoo  consisted  of  Mr.  Lowndes,  idr.  Fisk, 
Mr.  Calhoun,  Mr.  Ingham,  IMr.  Forsyth,  Mr. 
Oakley,  and  Mr.  Gaston.  Every  one  of  them 
had  professed  his  wish  fur  a  bank ;  but 
ooarcoly  any  two  of  th'em  agreed  in  the  plan. 
Five  were  opposed  to  that  of  the  Secretary, 
who  had  but  three  supporters  on  the  com- 
mittee. 

On  the  27th  November,  1814,  Mr.  Lown- 
des, by  direction  of  the  now  committee, 
called  on  the  Secretary  fi.T  his  opinion  in 
relation  to  the  effect  which  a  considerable 
issue  of  treasury  notes,  recoivablo  in  sub- 
scrir'^i'^r".  to  the  bank,  might  have  on  the 
e.cdit  of  the  government,  and  on  the  pros- 
pects of  a  loan  next  year:  whether  it  would 
be  practicable  to  get  forty-four  millions  of 
treasury  notes  into  circulation  w'.chout  de- 
preciation ;  and  his  further  opinion  in  re- 
gard to  any  part  of  our  fi.,cal  system.  In- 
stanter,  the  same  day,  Mr.  Dallas  answered, 
in  terms  of  strong  and  lofty  condemnation 
of  Mr.  Calhoun's,  or  any  such,  scheme. 
Ilis  feelings  ♦ihrown  into  his  judgment  in 
unusual  terms  for  a  st  ite,  especially  a  fiscal 
state,  paper,  he  retorted : 

"  When  I  arrived  in  "Washington,  the 
treasury  was  suffering  xmder  every  kind  of 
embarrassment.  The  demands  upon  it  wc  ^ 
great  in  amoiint,  while  the  mer.ns  to  satisfy 
them  were  comparatively  small ;  precarious 
in  the  collection,  and  difficult  in  the  applica- 
tion. The  demands  consisted  of  dividends 
upon  old  and  now  funded  debt,  of  treasury 
notes,  and  of  legislative  appropriations  for 
the  army,  the  navy  and  the  current  service  ; 
all  urgent  and  important.  The  means  con- 
sisted, first — Of  the  fragmonti'  of  an  author- 
ity to  borrow  money,  when  nobody  was  dis- 
posed to  lend,  and  to  issue  treasury  notes, 
wiiich  none  but  necessitous  creditors  or 
contractors  in  distress,  or  commissaries, 
quarter-masters  and  navy  agents,  acting  as 
it  were  officially,  seemed  willing  to  accept. 
Second — Of  the  amount  of  bank  credits 
scattered  throughout  the  United  States,  and 
principally  in  the  southern  auj  western 


banks,  which  had  been  rendered  in  a  great 
degree  useless  l)y  the  stoppage  of  iiiiyments 
in  specie,  and  the  conse(jueiit  impractica- 
bility of  transferring  the  public  funds  from 
one  jilace,  to  meet  tiie  public  engngemeuts 
in  another  place.  And,  third — Of  the  cur- 
rent supply  of  money  from  the  imports,  from 
internal  duties,  and  from  the  sales  of  public 
land,  which  ceased  to  1)0  a  foundation  of  any 
rational  erUimate  or  reserve,  to  provide  even 
for  the  dividends  on  the  fundetl  delit,  when 
it  was  found  that  the  treasurj'  notes,  (only 
rerpiiring  indeed  a  cash  payment  at  the  dis- 
tance of  a  year,)  to  whomsoever  thcj'  were 
issued  at  the  treasury,  and  almost  as  soon 
as  they  were  issued,  reaclied  the  hands  of 
the  collectors,  in  payment  of  debts,  duties 
and  taxes ;  thus  disappointing  and  defeat- 
ing the  only  remaining  expectation  of  pro- 
ductive revenue." 

Such  of  us  as  had  labored  to  place  Mr. 
J>al1as  in  the  treasurj',  even  though  not  sa- 
tisfied with  any  bank  not  founded  on  the 
rock  of  the  precious  metals,  wore  consoled 
for  the  loss  of  liia  plan  by  the  manly  fervor 
of  an  official  reply  to  Congress,  that  "  a 
faithless  government  might  borrow  even 
Avithout  credit,  which  hardlj'  existed  at  that 
moment.  But  when  the  wants  of  to-day 
are  supplied,  what  is  the  new  expedient 
that  shall  supply  the  wants  of  to-morrow  ? 
After  all,  the  immeasurable  tracts  of  the 
western  wild  would  be  exhausted  in  succes- 
sive efforts  to  obtain  pecuniary  aids,  and 
still  leave  the  government  necessitous,  un- 
less the  foundations  of  public  credit  are 
re-establisiiod  and  maii'tained."  This  was 
a  tone  to  Avhich  the  puny  sovereigns  and 
constitutional  economists  of  Congi-ess  Avero 
little  broken.  Whether  Mr.  Dallas  was  right 
or  wrong  in  his  bank  plan,  his  tone  to  Con- 
gress, in  the  face  of  the  countiy,  and  before 
the  world,  was  a  stirring  appeal  to  the  ris- 
ing spirit  of  the  nation.  Born  in  Jamaica, 
Avith  tropical  excitability,  ho  would  shed 
tears  at  tliat  time  of  trial,  proA'oked  by  the 
contradictions,  anxieties  and  disappoint- 
ments ho  Avas  doomed  to  undergo:  but  Avitli 
ambition  and  capacity  for  indefatigable  toil, 
his  buoyancy  noA'or  niiled.  Exertions  Avere 
not  spared  to  bring  him  and  Mr.  Calhoun 
together,  but  without  success.  The  strife 
of  stocks  and  schemes  was  irreconcilable. 

The  day  after  his  uncompromising  letter, 
on  the  28th  NoA'omber,  1814,  Mr.  Lowndes 
reported  the  bill  Avithout  alteration;  in- 
forming the  House  that  the  select  commit- 
tee had  not  been  able  to  discoA-er  any  meanf 
of  uniting  the  conflicting  opinions  on  the 
subject.  Then  it  Avas  that  the  Secretary 
had  his  first  gratification  in  Congress.  Ool- 
onol  Johnson  rose  on  his  crutches  in  the 
House  to  put  an  end  to  contest  bjf 
moving  the  previous  question,  -which  Wsls 
carried  on  engi'ossing  the  bill  tot  a  third 
reading ;  Avhcn  Mr.  Calhouh  Was  left  in  * 
minority  bj  .ayes  and  nays  of  more  thftll 


■^■l  >] 


■t 


0>, 


'It 


6    i^,  ' 


258 


SENATE'S  BANK. 


[1814. 


&i:, ' 


■.     J. 


■■i:  ''.4  ■  '*i 


I  !!>i 


two  to  one ;   the  voto  for  cnKi-oasing  his  i 
treasury  note  bill  being  l)ut  forty-nino  to 
one  liundrod  and  four  ii^iiinst  it.    So  ended  ! 
tlio  fourtii  attempt  for  a  bank.     John  For- 1 
Hytli,  who  voted  in  the  majority,  imniedi- ! 
ately   moved  a  reconsideration   to   clincli 
the  rojeetion,  wliich  ho  said  ho  voted  with  , 
us  in  order  to  do.     After  mueh  excitement , 
and  sharp   skirmiahing,  ho  witiidrew  the  i 
motion,  intending  to  renew  it,  but  lost  his  j 
chance.     IJut  for  succor  from  Senate,  the 
cardinal    measure    of   tlio    administration  , 
liad  i\o  ciiance  that  session,     llevived  and  1 
quickly  passed  there,  with  extreme  dlffi-  [ 
fulty  it  struggled  through  the   House  ofi 
llepresontatives,  to  bo  at  last  strangled  by  j 
the  Executive,  so  anxious  for  a  bank  enact- 
ment. 

Notwithstanding  his  failure  to  obtain  a 
bank,  Mr.  Dallas  had  much  restored  public 
credit  in  the  few  weeks  of  his  administra- 
tion of  the  treasury.  It  was  known  that 
lie  contemplated  the  establishment  of  a 
vigorous  sinking  fund,  a  mere  iiscal  delu- 
sion unless  the  nation  actually  spends  less 
than  it  receives.  But  such  was  its  influ- 
ence on  most  minds,  especially  those  of 
the  seaports,  where  credit  is  fabricated  or 
extinguished,  and  public  delusion  a  large 
clement  of  it,  that  the  anticipation  of  such 
a  fund,  amply  endowed,  together  with  the 
altered  and  elevated  aspect  of  all  Secre- 
tary Dallas'  measures  and  conduct,  enabled 
him  to  effect  tho  loan  in  OctoJ)cr  which  in 
August  his  predecessor  had  failed  to  obtain. 
There  were  no  constitutional  scruples ;  the 
whole  Republican  party  were  united  respect- 
ing a  sinking  fund.  Notwithstanding  1  imo- 
thy  Pickering's  published  lettei's,  and  his 
speeches  in  Congress,  proclaiming  that  fu- 
ture administrations  would  not  be  bound 
to  redeem  tho  loans  contracted  for  Madi- 
son's war,  as  he  and  other  Eastern  antago- 
nists denounced  it,  there  were  few,  at  any 
time  of  that  extreme  disaflFection,  which  suc- 
cess crushed  in  ignominy.  Moneyed  men, 
as  tliose  in  credit  are  called,  were  too  clear- 
sighted to  be  blinded  by  such  mists  exhaled 
from  the  conduits  of  faction. 

Mr.  Dallas  and  Mr.  Calhoun  were  un- 
shakenly  firm  in  patriotic  confidence. 
John  Caldwell  Calhoun  was  the  same  slen- 
der, erect,  and  ardent  logician,  politician, 
and  sectarian  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1814  that  he  is  in  the  Senate  of 
1847.  Speaking  with  aggressive  aspect, 
flashing  eye,  rcapid  action  and  enunciation, 
unadorned  argument,  eccentricity  of  judg- 
ment, unbounded  love  of  rule,  impatient, 
precipitate  ambition,  kind  temper,  excell- 
ing in  colloquial  attractions,  caressing  tho 
young,  not  courting  rulers;  conception, 
perception,  and  demonstration  quick  and 
clear,  with  logical  precision  arguing  para- 
doxes, and  carrying  homo  conviction  be- 
yond rhetorical  illustration;  his  own  im- 
preseions  so  intense  as  to  discredit,  scarcely 


listen  to,  any  other  suggestions;  well  edu- 
cated and  itiformed. 

In  Sentcinlier,  1814,  a  petition  from  David 
M.  ClarKson  and  otiiers  of  Now  York,  liail 
been  presented  to  tlie  Senate,  fur  a  natinniil 
l)ank,  and  referred,  on  motion  of  General 
Samuel  Smith,  on  the  o  1st  of  October,  1814, 
to  a  select  committee,  consisting  of  ilufus 
King,  Samuel  Smith,  John  Taylor,  Willium 
W.  IJIbb  and  Jeremiah  Mason.  As  soon 
as  all  proceedings  in  the  House  of  Roprr- 
sentatives,  on  the  subject,  ceased,  witii  no 
prospect  of  their  renewal,  Mr.  King,  on  the 
^d  of  December,  1814,  reported  another 
bank  bill,  which,  after  three  days'  consi- 
deration, on  the  r)th,  8th  and  9tn  of  that 
month,  passed  the  Senate  by  yeas  seventeen 
to  fourteen  nays,  mostly  party  votes,  the 
Republicans  for,  and  tlie  Federalists  against 
the  bank,  and  on  tho  last-mentioned  day, 
it  came  to  the  House  of  Representatives  for 
their  concurrence.  There  it  was  at  onoe 
referred  to  tho  committee  of  ways  and 
means,  and  by  Jonathan  Fisk  from  that 
committee  reported,  with  amendments,  on 
the  14tli  of  December,  1814. 

The  capital  of  this  scheme  was  to  be  fifty 
millions,  five  in  coin,  twenty-se^cn  in  past 
loan  stocks,  seven  in  treasury  notes,  re- 
deemable in  stocks,  and  ten  to  be  subscribed 
by  government  in  stock  bearing  interest  at 
four  per  cent. ;  to  loan  government  not  ex- 
ceeding five  hunilred  thousand  dollars,  un- 
less authorized  by  act  of  Congress,  ^vhich 
might  require  a  loan  of  thirty  millions. 
During  the  war  and  for  one  year  after, 
tho  directors  were  authorized  in  certain 
contingencies  to  suspend  specie  payments, 
and  to  report  it  to  the  I'rcsident  of  the 
United  States,  for  his  affirmance  or  reversal. 
On  the  23d  of  December,  1814,  debate 
broke  out  afresh,  in  a  renewed  argument 
against  the  constitutionality  of  a  bank, 
all  of  which  arguments  I  omit,  for  there 
are  frequently  measures  whoso  expedi- 
ency is  more  momentous  than  the  Con- 
stitution. On  tho  24th  of  December,  after 
alon^  day's  discussion,  the  committee  rose, 
and  the  bill  was  reported  })y  the  chairman, 
Macon,  to  tho  House,  without  material  al- 
teration. On  the  20th,  tho  few  amendments 
wore  concurred  in.  On  tho  27th,  William 
Hale,  a  Federalist  of  New  Hampshire, 
moved  to  strike  out  the  section  authorizing 
a  suspension  of  specie  payments.  AVhere- 
upon  I  called  for  the  previous  question,  and 
got  it  by  a  small  majority,  seventy-two  to 
seventy.  Mr.  Webster  then  moved  to  lay 
the  bill  and  amendments  on  the  table; 
which,  Mr.  Macon  in  the  chair,  substituted 
for  tho  Speaker,  Mr.  Cheves,  ruled  out  of 
order,  as  the  previous  question  was  in  force. 
Mr.  Gaston  appealed  from  that  decision, 
and  again  from  Macon's  further  decision, 
that  the  question  was  not  on  Mr.  Hale's 
proposition,  but  whether  all  the  amend- 
ments reported  from  tho  committee  of  the 


[1814. 
itions;  ■well  edii- 

tition  from  Dnvid 

Now  York,  IijkI 
to,  for  (V  luitioiiiil 
otion  of  Ocncnil 

of  October,  1814, 
isi.sting  of  llufus 

Taylor,  William 
kliVHon.     As  Hoou 

House  of  Rcprc- 
,  ceased,  with  no 
Mr.  King,  on  the 
reported  another 
lireo  days'  consi- 

and  9th  of  tliat 
by  yeas  soventocii 

party  votes,  tlio 
'edcralistsai^ainst 
it-mentioned  day, 
opresentativos  f(ir 

0  it  was  at  oneo 

;oe   of   ways   and 

risk   from  that 

amendments,  on 
14. 

me  was  to  bo  fifty 
enty-scvcn  in  pant 
•easury  notes,  re- 
en  to  bo  subscriljod 
)earing  interest  at 
overnmcnt  not  cx- 
iisand  dollars,  un- 
f  Congress,  nhieh 
if  thirty  millions, 
r  one  year  after, 
lorized  in  certain 
I  specie  payments. 

President  of  tiic 
mance  or  reversal, 
ibcr,  1814,  debate 
renewed  argument 
lality  of  a  bank, 
I  I  omit,  for  there 
OS  whoso  expodi- 
us  than  the  Con- 
of  December,  after 
the  committee  rose, 
il  Ity  the  chairman, 
ithout  material  al- 
ho  few  amendments 
I  the  27th,  William 

New  Hampshire, 
section  authorizing 
payments.  Where- 
(vious  fiuestion,  and 
rity,  seventy-two  to 
then  moved  to  lay 
nts  on  the  table; 
e  chair,  substituted 
heves,  ruled  out  of 
estion  was  in  force, 
'rom  that  decision, 
's  further  decision, 
not  on  Mr.  Hale's 
er  all  the  amend- 
10  committee  of  the 


CnAP.  XT.] 


BANK  CONTROVERSY, 


259 


whole  should  bo  engrossed,  and  the  bill  ' 
read  a  tiiird  time.  That  settled,  the  main  | 
question  was  carried  l»y  oiglity  ayes  to 
sixty-*wo  nays,  Mr.  Low  ndos  and  Mr.  Cal- 
lioun  vo'ing  with  us,  the  minority  eompowed 
of  the  Foil'sral  opposition  and  the  constitu- 
tionalists. 

There  were  well  founded  hopes  then  of 
the  passage  of  the  bill  in  that  shape.  Hut 
next  day,  the  28th  of  Docomlier,  1H14,  Mr. 
Gaston  succeeded  in  getting  it  recommitted 
with  instructions  as  to  some  details,  and  a 
change  of  tho  kind  of  stock  to  bo  subscril)od, 
the  much  contested  future  to  bo  coupled  with 
tho  past.  Next  day,  Stephenson  Archer, 
from  the  committee,  reported  tho  required 
amendments ;  one  of  which  was  then,  how- 
ever, refused  by  tho  House,  another  carried 
only  by  the  Speaker,  Choves',  casting  vote ; 
ancl  angry  debate  ensued  on  tho  kind  of  stock, 
past  or  I'lturc.  Tho  whole  day  was  con- 
sumed in  motions  to  lay  the  bill  on  tho 
tai/io,  'M  recommit,  to  adjourn,  and  their 
atteiulant  spocehes  by  Mr.  Webster,  Mr. 
Giiston,  Mr.  I'itkin,  l\lr.  Oakley  and  others 
to  defeat,  Mr.  Forsyth,  Mr.  Ingliam,  Mr. 
Archer  to  carry  the  liill.  It  was  the  storm- 
iest bank  day  of  tho  session.  A  paper 
money  bank  was  supported  and  assaulted 
by  contending  parties,  as  tho  pivot  of  the 
administration.  Denounced  as  fatal  and 
corrupt,  defended  as  tho  only  means  of 
restoring  credit,  maintaining  tho  govern- 
ment and  carrying  on  tho  war,  the  ma- 
jority strained  every  nerve  to  pass  it  that 
night,  but  were  frustrated  by  tho  pertina- 
cious manoeuvres  of  a  minority,  nearly 
always  invincible  if  resolved  not  to  give 
way.  Seldom,  whenever  passion  prevails, 
does  a  majority  rule  in  a  deliberative 
ass^nbly.  Tactics  defeat  numbers  in  Con- 
gress as  in  arms.  As  venerable  as  the 
liiblo  and  Homor  is  tho  truth,  that  not  to 
tho  strong,  but  tho  artful,  belongs  victory. 
On  that  occasion  Mr.  Webster  and  Mr. 
Gaston  led  and  triumphed  with  striking 
ability.  Webster's  last  effort  was  a  motion 
to  recommit  with  specific  instructions,  on 
which,  after  his  own  and  several  other 
speeches  for,  and  none  against  it,  our  ward 
being  silent  action  without  debate,  at  length 
an  adjournment  was  effected.  Now  Year's 
day,  like  Christmas,  was  a  relaxation  from 
tho  combat.  On  the  2(1  of  January,  1815, 
Timothy  Pickering,  with  others  of  tho  op- 
position, took  the  floor,  and  Mr.  Webster 
made  his  ablest  speech  ;  an  admirable  view, 
commercial,  economical,  fiscal,  political, 
past,  present  and  future  of  tho  whole  sub- 
ject; quite  superior  to  anything  said  on 
either  side  during  tho  session.  He  had 
studied  thoroughly,  historically,  and  pre- 
sented doctrines  immutable  in  diction  of  tho 
choicest  rhetoric.  With  that  masterly  effort, 
after  some  insignificant  motions,  the  debate 
closed  and  the  votes  were  taken,  eighty- 


tho  bill ;  Mr.  Lowndes  voting  for,  Mr.  Cal- 
iioun  against  it. 

Then  instantly  took  place  one  of  those 
memorable  struggles  in  legislation  whiiliar(! 
attended  by  strong  sensation  at  the  nidment, 
and  followed  by  deep  impression  ever  after 
among  tho  combatants,  though  unarmed, 
carrying  or  losing  tho  turning  point  of  ex- 
cited c<mtroversy.  Tho  year  1814  ended 
on  Saturday.  The  day  before,  tho  death 
of  Richard  Brent,  one  of  tho  Virpnia  sen- 
ators, a  gentleman  of  tho  equestrian  order, 
as  he  might  bo  considered,  for  ho  seldom 
was  abroad,  except  on  horseback,  attended 
b^  his  well  mounted  slave,  but  long  incapa- 
citated by  tho  disorder  of  which  ho  died, 
suspended  proceedings  in  both  Houses : 
superadding  the  last  twenty-four  hours  of 
that  anxious  twelve  months  to  Sunday's 
repose,  retrospect,  combinations  and  ar- 
rangements for  renewed  conflict.  Congress 
■verc  hutted  in  tho  post-offico  building,  the 
only  public  edifice  not  in  ruins.  The  de- 
partments, with  their  various  ineumbentf, 
were  billeted  about  in  private  houses;  tho 
President  occupied  a  gentleman's  mansion  ; 
the  department  of  state  was  without  a 
secretary,  Mr.  Monroe,  on  General  Arm- 
strong's discharge,  after  the  capture  of 
Washmgion,  having  been  transferred  to  th(! 
war  department.  On  the  2d  of  January,  1815, 
tho  new  year  camo  in  with  intelligence  of 
General  Jackson's  arrival  at  New  Orleans, 
the  firs',  day  of  Deceml)or,  to  prepare  for 
the  invi  sion,  of  which  the  van  was  said  to 
bo  off  ^iobilo  in  a  ship  of  the  lino  Avith 
several  transports. 

Thu'  sday's  vote  had  defined  the  position 
of  p^irties  with  discouraging  precision. 
Eighty-one  of  tho  Republicans  voted  for  a 
bank,  tho  false  hope  long  deferred  of  a 
peiplexed  administration.  By  that  fiscal 
contrivance,  five  millions  of  coin  altogether, 
which  by  familiar  bank  necromancy  might 
be  diminished  two-thirds  when  tho  bank 
went  into  operation,  with  forty-five  millions 
of  stock,  were  to  enable  government  to  bor- 
row from  the  bank  thirty  millions  more. 
Seventy-five  millions  of  discredited  paper, 
with  at  most  five  millions  of  coin,  was  at 
least  fifteen  to  one,  tho  reliance  for  a 
nation's  fiscal  salvation.  It  was  the 
drunkard's  bill  of  Falstaff,  five  shillings 
and  cightpenco  worth  of  sack  to  a  half- 
penny of  bread.  For  that  delusion  we 
contended  as  our  existence.  Nonsense  of 
the  people,  does  it  surpass  the  folly  of 
their  wise  representatives  in  Congress 
assembled  ?  Madness  of  party,  how  often 
does  it  save,  as  well  as  destroy !  Twenty 
Republicans,  after  nineteen  had  that  week 
voted  with  us  for  tho  third  reading  of  the 
bill — twenty  intractable  Republicans,  com- 
bined with  sixty  Federalists,  now  stood  out 
against  all  that  country  was  supposed  to 
demand,  and  party  angrily,  or  entreatingly 


one  for,  eighty  against  the  final  passage  of  urged.    Many  no  doubt  voted  from  factious 


%r: 


200 


CIIEVES' 


CASTING 

— • — 


VOTE. 


[181- 


»    .VI 


ml 


>t-  ( 


miitlvos  to  cnilxirrftss  govornmont,  but  not 
a  few  ItociiuHO  conHcienco  forbade,  iiml  Homo 
few  under  tlio  influence  of  wino  eeonimiy. 

Mr.  Cheves,  elected  Speaker  by  a  mixed 
party  vote,  diHcuHted  with  the  administra- 
tion, impresHed  with  strong  and  Hottlod 
conviction  against  paner  contrivances,  re- 
minding tho  House  or  the  rule  which  au- 
thorized, and  ho  thought  required,  tho  pro- 
eiding  otHcer'a  interference  on  Huch  an 
occasion,  voted  with  the  minority  and 
defeated  t'lO  hill ;  which,  in  an  imjuessive 
brief  d', course,  he  pronounced  not  only 
dangerous,  but  desperate,  as  a  resort  to 
merely  speculative  and  ruinous  experiment. 
Once  more,  and  for  the  fifth  time,  the  un- 
lucky bank  miscarried.  There  were,  how- 
ever, so  nionyof  both  parties  voting  against 
tho  rejected  plan,  yet  willing  to  sanction 
another,  that  Lolling  Hall,  one  of  tho  most 
strenuous  Republican  sticklers  for  new,  in 
preference  to  Dallas'  plan  of  past  stocks, 
immediatoly  moved  a  reconsideration.  Suf- 
ficiently disturbed  by  the  evils  of  that  doubt- 
ful day,  the  House  adjourned  without  tak- 
ing the  question.  Next  day,  tho  3d  Janu- 
ary 1815,  reconsideration  was  carried  by 
nearly  two  to  one,  107  to  54:  but  the 
journal  of  names  gave  poor  promise  of  any 
bank ;  tho  speeches  still  less. 

On  tho  3d  January  lS\5,  Mr.  Hall,  a 

Iilain  upright  Georgian,  who  afterwards 
ived  and  died  in  Alabama,  from  his  seat 
next  to  mine,  advocating  his  motion  to  re- 
consider, vehemently  rallied  the  Repul  iican 
party  to  rescue  thoir  country  from  iiittrnal 
traitors,  worse  than  foreign  foes,  who  wore 
striving  to  crush  the  administration ;  in- 
dignantly expressed  his  contempt  of  the 
attempt  twice  mado  by  Mr.  Grosvonor  to 
prevent  my  voting  because  I  held  govern- 
laont  stock.  Such  attempts,  ho  declared, 
made  his  blood  run  cold.  But,  after  nu- 
merous sharp  and  angry  speeches  on  both 
sides,  Boiling  Robertson,  afterwards  Gover- 
nor of  Louisiana,  William  P.  Duvall,  after- 
wards Governor  of  Florida,  Mr.  Forsyth, 
Mr.  Calhoun,  I  and  others  earnestly  urging 
reconsideration,  strenuously  opposed  by 
Mr.  Grosvonor,  Mr.  Gaston,  Mr.  Webster, 
Mr.  Macon  and  several  more,  it  was  finally 
carried,  on  the  merciful  motion  of  Alexander 
McKim,  a  Scots  merchant  representing 
Baltimore,  who  said  he  was  opposed  to  any 
bank,  but  disposed  to  let  his  friends  (ho 
was  of  the  Republican  party)  have  every 
chance  on  a  question  of  such  magnitude. 
The  vote,  as  before  mentioned,  was  107  to 
54.  Samuel  McKeo,  of  Kentucky,  a  very 
peculiar  person,  one  of  tho  few  who  had 
voted  for  war  against  France  as  well  as 
England,  considering  tho  injustice  to  us 
the  same — having  also  his  own  notions  of 
vrhat  kind  of  bank  it  ought  to  be — moved  to 
teoommit  the  bill,  but  without  instructions, 
to  another  select  committee,  which,  after 
further  angry  controversy,  carried  by  89 


votes  to  71.  Mr.  Chovos  gave  us  as  tlio 
cominitt(!e,  for  this  sixtli  essa",  Suimicl 
McKoe,  William  Findlcy,  Richam  Stockton, 
Timothv  Pitkin,  Jolin  Taylor,  Alfred  Cuth- 
bcrtand  llartlett  Yancey ;  five  for  some  kind 
of  bank  to  two  likewise  for  a  bank,  bu.  un- 
compromisingly hostile  to  the  administra- 
tion. 

Before  I  proceed  with  tho  narrative  of 
their,  tho  final,  abortion,  which  the  J'rcsi- 
dent  vetoed,  1  must  mention  a  reinark- 
nblo  outbreak  in  the  House,  of  the  lUl  of 
January  181.').  One  of  tho  Ohio  members', 
John  Alexander,  was  a  giant  between  sis 
and  seven  feet  high,  larf^e,  stout,  muscular, 
and  apparently  strong  in  proportion  to  his 
formidable  thews  and  sinews.  Immediately 
after  Hall's  appeal  to  our  party,  which  was 
extremely  animated  and  unreserved,  Alex- 
ander planted  his  imposing  frame  right  at 
tho  foot  of  tho  Speaker's  chair,  and  stand- 
ing there  erect,  almost  in  contact  with  Mr. 
Cheves,  ho  poured  out  upon  him  a  torrent 
of  the  fiercest  invective  for  his  casting  vote 
of  tho  day  before.  The  Speaker  had  ex- 
pressed his  regret  at  feeling  obliged  to  vote 
as  ho  said  duty  required.  Alexander  acri- 
nioniuusly  denounced  such  regret.  To  vote 
against  a  measure  which  the  Speaker  con- 
demned as  ruinous  and  desperate,  should 
have  pleased,  not  pained,  an  honest  man, 
and  his  Ohio  assailant  broadly  intimated 
offensive  doubts,  whether  other  than  either 
conscientious  or  patriotic  apology  could  be 
pleaded  for  so  reprehensible  a  vote.  Mr. 
Cheves,  who  always  wore  spectacles,  had 
the  benefit  of  their  intervention  between  his 
looks  and  the  flashing  glance  of  his  accuser. 
The  Speaker  calmly  kept  his  eyes  on  tho 
orator  during  his  harangue,  which,  like 
many  more  bursts  of  passionato  disapjukint- 
ment,  passed  off  witliout  any  permanent 
effect,  except  perhaps  the  recollection  of  tho 
actors  in  that  exciting  scene. 

On  tho  Gth  January,  1815,  Mr.  McKoe 
reported  from  the  select  committee  their 
scheme  ;  f  bank  with  thirty  instead  of  fifty 
millions  of  capital,  five  millions  of  coin,  fif- 
teen millions  of  treasury  notes,  and  ten  mil- 
lions of  war  stock ;  no  loan  to  government, 
or  power  to  suspend  specie  payments. 
With  $1,600,000  in  gold  and  silver,  and 
twelve  millions  in  stocks,  the  bank  was  to 
begin.  BIr.  McKee  pronounced  it  a  specie 
paying  bank,  on  which  alone,  he  said,  could 
a  sound  circulating  medium  rest.  After  a 
few  brief  speeches,  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Pitkin, 
Mr.  Yancey  and  I  advocating  the  scheme 
as  a  compromise  more  likely  than  any  other 
to  pass,  Mr.  Forsyth  and  Mr.  Pearson  op- 
posing, the  capital  was  fixed  at  thirty 
millions  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  to  thirty-one.  Next  daj', 
January  7,  1815,  after  very  little  said 
by  but  a  few  members,  the  bill  was 
passed  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  ayes 
to  thirty-eight  nays,  and  sent  to  Senate. 


[1815. 

us  ns  till! 
V",  Siimui'l 
■(1  iStDt'ktun, 
Ifrcd  Cutli- 
r  Home  kiml 
Ilk,  \ni,  un- 
uilmiiuMtni- 

mrriitivo  of 

the  I'rosi- 

a  roiiiaik- 

f  tlio  r.il  of 

0  inonibor.^, 

jotwcon  six 

t,  inuHculav, 

n'tiiin  to  Ills 

niiupdiutoly 

,  whiuh  wax 

srved,  Alcx- 

imo  right  at 

,  and  Htaml- 

ict  with  Mr. 

iiii  a  torrent 

caating  vote 

kor  had  ex- 

lif^od  to  vote 

xandcr  acri- 

'ct.    To  vote 

pcaker  con- 

'rato,  should 

iionest  man, 

y  intimated 

p  than  either 

ogy  could  be 

1  vote.     Mr. 

'ctacles,  had 

I  between  hib 

'  his  accuser. 

oycH  on  the 

•which,  like 

e  disapp%int- 

F  permanent 

ectiou  of  tlie 

Mv.  McKce 
imittcc  tlieir 
stead  of  fifty 
s  of  coin,  iit- 
and  ten  mil- 
government, 
!  nayments. 
;  silver,  and 
bank  was  to 
h1  it  a  specie 
10  said,  could 
sst.  After  a 
,  Mr.  Pitkin, 

the  scheme 
an  any  other 

Pearson  op- 
d  at  thirty 
undrcd   and 

Next  da^% 
r  little  said 
ho  bill  was 
twenty  ayes 
t  to  Senate. 


Ciup.  XI.] 


BANK  VI;T0EP. 


2C1 


On  the  0th  January,  ISir),  our  liill  was  re- 
ferred in  Senate  to  a  Ncleet  (  oinmittee,  con- 
sisting of  Samuel  Sniitli,  William  W.  Hibli, 
iToseph  AndorHon,  William  l\.  (liles  and 
.f()sej)h  H.  Varnum.  On  the  l.'lth  January, 
181.'),  tliey  refiorted  some  minor  aniend- 
iiionts,  that  the  eaviital  should  b"  thirty- 
tive  milliouH,  and  tlio  bank  empowered  to 
susnend  specie  jiaymentH.  On  tho  14th, 
irilh,  and  17th  .January,  18 IT),  tlu!  subject 
was  debated  in  tho  Senate,  who,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  ono  vote,  seventeen  to  sixteen,  re- 
solvcfl  to  authorize  suspension  of  specie 
payments ;  by  a  majority  of  three,  soventoen 
to  ft)urteen,  increased  tho  cajiital  to  thirty- 
five  millioiiH  ;  and  then  iiassod  the  bill,  thus 
ameniled,  without  a  division.  On  tho  17th 
January,  I8ir),  tlieir  amendments  came  to 
tlio  House.  Next  day,  after  much  sharp 
conti  st,  personal  and  party  recrimination, 
wo  refused  by  eighty-seven  votes  to  eighty 
to  enlarge  the  capital,  and  byeighty-fivo  to 
eighty  to  authorize  suspension  of  specie  pay- 
ments, llepublii'ans,  some  of  them,  pleaded, 
others  denieil,  thefactand  foroeof  a  compro- 
mise attempted  by  all  parties  in  this  bill. 
Federalists  declared  that  they  had  gone  as 
far  as  they  couM  in  concession,  and  would 
yield  no  more.  Tho  House  insisted  on  such 
of  their  amendments  as  the  Senate  disa- 
greed to.  I'ecriminationa  bi!gan  to  extend 
from  persons  and  parties  to  tho  two  Houses 
of  Congress,  and  tho  Executive  too.  Each 
House  blamed  tho  other  for  unnecessary 
procrastination  and  unreasonable  tenacity. 
On  the  i;ith  January,  1815,  tho  Senate 
quarrelled  with  each  other  and  with  the 
House,  in  that  excited  state  which  indicated 
that  the  end  was  at  hand,  in  whatever  shape 
it  might  be.  The  administration  Senators 
insisted  on  the  increnso  of  five  millions  to 
tho  capital,  and  still  more  jiortiuaciously  on 
tho  power  to  suspend  specie  payments,  as  a 
sine  qua  nou.  James  Barbour,  of  Virginia, 
lately  chosen  from  being  Governor  of  that 
State,  to  supply  Mr.  Brent's  place  in  the 
Senate,  Gonernl  Smith,  Jonathan  Roberts, 
AVilliam  Bibb,  (afterwards  Governor  of  Ala- 
bama,) not  only  pressed  the  increased  capi- 
tal and  suspension  power  as  indispensable, 
but  dflclared  their  repugnance  to  tho  bill 
without  those  clauses,  which  Mr.  King  and 
Mr.  Giles  supported.  Defeated  in  that  ef- 
fort, tho  administration,  represented  by  mo- 
tions severally  made  by  Mr.  Roberts  and 
Mr.  Bibb,  endeavored '  to  reject  tho  bill 
altogether.  It  passed,  however,  on  tho  10th 
as  it  wont  from  the  House ;  tho  Senate  re- 
ceding from  their  amendments,  after  every 
shift  of  )iar1iamentary  strategy  had  been 
exhausted  to  prevent  any  bill  for  a  specie 
paying  bank.  From  the  petition  presented 
t»y  Mr.  Loft'erts  in  tho  beginning  of  January 
1814,  to  the  bill  reported  by  Mr.  McKoe  in 
February  1815,  much  of  the  time  of  two 
sessions  of  Congress  I  ad  been  vexed  in  the 
elaboration  of  an  imperfect  and  time-serv- 


ing fiscnl  CO  itrivnnoo,  whieh,  after  on  tho 
seventh  trial  coming  out  of  the  fiery  funiaee, 
was  Hung  back  again  with  indigiiatinn,  on 
tho  eighth,  and  onco  more  frustrated  by 
public  good  luck  on  the  ninth  trial.  A  year 
afterwards,  by  another  Congress,  in  April 
18 1(),  at  lengtli  a  bank  became  a  law  and  a 
cliarter,  whicii  war  aloiio  made  neeessary, 
and  peace  at  least  postponed.  Ofispring  of 
distress,  its  war  birth  was  as  jirotracted 
and  painful  as  its  first  miscarriage  by  peace 
was  exciting,  and  final  dissolution  calami- 
tous. 

On  the  30th  January,  1815,  the  President 
returned  the  bill  to  the  Senate,  where  it  ori- 
ginated, with  liis  objections.  In  substaneo 
they  were,  that  the  notes  were  too  few,  and 
the  coin  too  much,  of  which  the  institution 
was  to  bo  compounded  ;  also  that  the  bank 
would  be  too  independent  of  the  govern- 
ment. Next  day  tho  Senate  re-considered, 
when  but  fifteen  wore  for  tho  vetoed  bill, 
and  nineteen  against  it.  On  the  Otli  Feb- 
ruary, 1815,  Governor  Barbour  on  leave  in- 
troduced another  bill,  which,  on  the  8th  and 
10th,  was  warmly  discussed  in  Senate.  Mr. 
Giles  mttved  clauses  compelling  a  loan  of 
thirty  millions  by  the  bank  to  the  govern- 
ment, and  legalizing  suspension  of  specie 
payments  till  April  1810;  both  of  which 
amendments  were  rejected.  Christopher 
Gore,  too,  tried  an  unsuccessful  amendment, 
that  tho  notes  should  express  their  nonpay- 
ment in  specie.  On  tho  lltli  February, 
1815,  Senate  passed  this  bill  eighteen  to 
sixteen.  Its  features  need  not  be  particu- 
larized, as  peace  prevented  it  becoming  a 
law.  Tho  day  it  came  to  tho  House,  was 
that  on  which  tho  dawn  of  peace  broke  on 
us  from  tho  East,  on  tho  13th  Februarj-, 
1815.  Tho  bank  thereupon  lost  much  of 
its  importance  and  attraction.  After  mo- 
tions to  commit  and  to  alter  the  bill,  which 
failed,  wo  adjourned  rejoicing.  Grc:  t  new?, 
great  joy,  great  national,  and  great  party 
triumphs  crowded  in  upon  us  from  all  quar- 
ters. 

On  tho  I4th  of  February,  1815,  the  wel- 
come rumor,  current  tho  night  before,  of 
Mr.  Carroll's  arrival  from  Ghent,  at  New 
York,  with  peace,  was  published  and  gene- 
rally credited.  Next  day  tho  fact  and  tho 
terms  were  officially  made  known.  Tho 
last  lingering  spasms  of  tho  bank,  in  both 
Houses,  were  almost  without  sympathizers. 
After  our  tame,  languid  action  in  the  House 
on  tho  13tli  of  February,  the  day  of  tho 
dawn  of  peace,  quickly  following  the  tri- 
umph at  Now  Orleans,  the  subject  slept 
through  the  14th,  15th,  and  10th.  No  ono 
cared  for  banks,  for  stocks,  oven  for  silver 
and  gold.  The  country,  crowned  with 
victory,  was  blessed  with  peace.  Tho 
party  which  waged  tho  war  triumphed  in 
tho  redoubled  joy  of  patriots  and  partisans. 
When,  therefore,  on  the  17th  of  February, 
1815,  the  House  resumed  tho  bank  bill, 


t    ■ 


%■   A 


1^ 


202 


BANK  INDEFINITELY 

— * — 


POSTPONED. 


[IHll. 


uftor  Bomo  cold,  ami,  ns  it  woro,  poxtlui- 
iiiDiiH,  lit  lt>iiHt  nioriljiiml  diHciissidn,  bo- 
twoeii  Mr.  ForHytli,  Mr.  Fisk,  and  otliors, 
Mil  Olio  Hido  ;  Mr.  (Jaston,  Mr.  Oakley,  and 
Mr.  Callioun,  on  tiio  otiii'r;  an  inftfoctual 
uttuni|>t  \vu8  niado  ])y  .Solomon  Sliar[)  onco 
iiioro  to  recommit  tlio  prostrate  hill,  with  in- 
NtructionH  to  a  (ii'tli  Hpi>cial  committor  ;  and 
another  als(j  inelFeetual,  to  revive  the  ex- 
pirinf;  l»attle  of  the  stocks.  But  that  tem- 
perate, judicious,  and  independent  member, 
William  Lowndes,  moved  its  indelinite  post- 
])oncment.  lie  had  no  hostility,  he  said, 
to  a  national  bank ;  but  the  present  mo- 
ment was  most  nnlavorable  to  its  estalilish- 
mont.  Pressure  of  the  times  had  sup- 
pressed important  difTerences  of  opinion. 
The  evil,  as  it  was  universally  aeknow- 
ledjijed,  of  suspended  specie  payments, 
would  be  prolonjjjed  by  establishing;  a  bank 
then.  In  short,  that  was  the  worst  moment 
for  a  bank.  Forsyth  insisted  that  it  Avas  the 
best;  Gaston,  that  it  was  as  good  as  any; 
Orosvonor  and  Piekerin";,  always  ojipoaed 
to  the  administration,  whatever  it  wanted, 
wore  for  putting  off  what  mijjht  bo  another 
triumph  superadded  to  the  incredible  vic- 


opiiuon, 
ble 


began,  had  convinced  nnyorities  in  butli 
iiouscs — as  th(!  people  were  undoubtt'dly  ,,1' 
that  other  rulers  were  indispoii-a- 
Peace,  or  a  eliange  of  admini.stralinn, 
wo  mu-it  awl  will  liave." 

Prior  to  the  bank  veto  on  the  9th  of 
January,  181.'),  the  bill  to  provide  addi- 
tional revenue  for  defraying  the  exp(>nM's 
of  gov(!rnment  IxHjamo  a  law.  On  ti»e  ITlli 
of  January,  the  S(!eretary  of  the  Treasury, 
in  a  hitter  of  much  animation,  laid  ban*  to 
foes  as  well  as  friends  the  condition  of  tlie 
country.  Little  njove  than  fiftec^n  milli(.ns 
was  estimated  as  the  maximum  of  the  year's 
income;  and  miu'e  than  forty  millions  as 
the  minimum  of  its  expenditures.  Taxe-t 
were  called  for  to  a  large  amount  on  nniny  ob- 
jects from  which  Congress  shrunk  ;  ini!omi\s 
and  legacies,  mortgages,  stocks,  (lour,  manu- 
factures ;  an  omission  of  fifteen  millions  of 
treasury  notes,  and  a  loan  of  twonty-fivo 
millions  of  dollars.  "  A  liberal  imposition  of 
taxes,"  said  the  Secretary,  "ouglit  to  raise 
public  credit,  but  can  have  no  elfeet  in  re- 
storing a  circulating  medium.  It  is  for  the 
wisdom  of  Congress  to  decide  wiiat  other 
means  can  be  resorted  to  than  taxes,  loans. 


tory  of  New  Orleans,  and  the  comfortable  ,  and  treasury  notes.     The  humble  o)iininn 
consummation   at  Ghent.      Postponement   of  the  Treasury  Department  has  been  frank- 

"^  ly  K'^''">  'i"d  remains  unchanged." 


was  carried  by  the  magical  majority  of 
t)no  vote,  scvcuty-four  ayes  to  seventy-three 
nays.  Macon's  quaint  maxim,  that  "  one 
is  majority  enough,"  signalized  the  last 
moments  of  a  national  lottery,  of  which 
the  whole  drawing  attested  another  of  his 
fiscal  saws,  that  "  paper  money  was  never 
boat." 

The  final  vote  was  promiscuous  ;  neither 
party,  as  such,  voting  cither  for  or  against, 
but  both  parties  all  mixed  together.  There 
were  many  absentees.  After  Speaker 
Chevcs'  vote  defeated  the  bill  on  the  2d  of 
January,  1815,  so  near  was  its  death  be- 
yond reprieve,  that  only  six  Federalists  voted 
to  reconsider.  And  when  McKee's  bill 
bid  fair  to  become  a  law,  there  was  great 
administration  rejoicing.  No  doubt  was 
allowed  of  its  passage.  "Speculators  and 
money-mongers,"  said  the  National  Intelli- 
gencer, "  are  no  longer  to  prey  on  the  ne- 
cessities of  the  nation,  or  sport  with  the 
public  credit.  Treasonable  intercourse  be- 
tween New  England  and  the  British  pro- 
vinces will  no  longer  encourage  the  buying 
specie  at  twenty  per  cent,  above  govern- 
ment paper ;  the  whole  country  will  not  be 
paying  tribute  to  one  disaffected  corner." 
On  the  other  side,  denunciation  and  de- 
traction were  not  idle  or  diflident.  "Madi- 
son," it  was  reported,  "  would  resign :  he 
must:  a  suificient  number  of  his  own  party 
wore  resolved  to  insist  upon  it.  The  imbe- 
cility of  the  administration — their  wretched 
failure  to  raise  means,  and  profligate  waste 
of  what  little  they  had — their  evasion  or 
violations  of  the  Constitution — their  whole 
course  since  the  wicked  and  unnatural  war 


Although  no  bank  came  of  that  official 
objurgation,  at  any  rate  Mr.  Dallas  succeed- 
ed in  getting  taxes  laid  with  a  liberal  hand  ; 
and  the  taxing  power,  which  State  opposi- 
tion could  not  effectually  interrupt,  worked 
well  througliout  the  contest  everywhere. 
As  money  is  the  main  sinew  of  war,  so  the 
Federal  Constitution  is  much  less  fettered  in 
the  financial  than  the  belligerent  faculty. 
Massachusetts  could  lay  no  tax  for  rebel- 
lion without  revolutionizing  parties  there: 
whereas  the  federal  government  heavily 
taxed  many  things  in  that  commonwealth, 
and  much  increased  the  taxes.  The  mass 
of  the  people,  who  always  pay  the  bulk  of 
taxation,  paid  without  a  murmur.  In  vain 
the  richer,  not  paying  their  proportion,  la- 
bored to  excite  and  mislead  the  poor,  who 
paid  more  than  theirs.  Popular  instinct 
preftrred  taxes  to  revolt:  nor  could  State 
authority  do  anything  but  revolt,  cither  by 
overt  treason,  or  color  of  law,  to  resist  the 
federal  government.  Hence  a  Hartford 
Convention  to  devise,  if  possible,  a  peace- 
able plan  to  withdraw  from  the  nation,  and 
transfer  to  the  State  the  exclusive  and  com- 
plete constitutional  means  exercised  at 
Washington ;  legislative,  judicial  and  execu- 
tive— even  military,  if  need  be,  of  enforcing, 
collecting,  and  applying  the  public  revenue. 
A  national  bank  would  have  been  for  that 
purpose  additional  federal  power ;  and 
there  were  no  anti-federal  engines  worked 
with  more  effect  than  the  Boston  banks. 

Soon  after  the  struggle,  that  followed 
peace,  for  the  restoration  of  money  and  re- 
duction of  paper,  Mr.  Dallas  resigned — re- 


[1813. 


■s   ill  lioth 

illlitcilly  of 
nilis|)i>nxa- 
iiUMtraliun, 

till!  9Hi  ()(• 
)vicli!  ailili- 

i'X|UMIM('H 

»ri  the  ITlh 
Trciivsui-y, 
liil  l)(in'  t(i 
itioii  of  tlio 
(>u  millions 
f  tlioyoiir's 
tiiillioiiM  us 

•CM.        TllXlM 

II  many  ob- 

{ ;  iiuioiiios 

our,  miiuu- 

millioiis  of 

tvvonty-fivo 

npositiou  ol 

lit  to  Miiso 

tilfoct  ill  ro- 

It  is  for  thi; 

what  otlitT 

axes,  loans, 

blc  opiiiiou 

boon  fraiik- 

mI." 

hat  official 
las  .sucet'i'd- 
boral  hand  ; 
tato  opposi- 
upt,  worked 
everywhere, 
war,  ao  the 
IS  fettered  in 
eiit  faculty. 
t  for  rebel- 
rties  there: 
cut  heavily 
nionwealth, 
The  mass 
the  bulk  of 
ir.  In  vain 
jportion,  la- 
?  poor,  who 
lar  instinct 
could  State 
It,  either  by 

0  resist  the 
n.  Hartford 
le,  a  peace- 
nation,  and 
ve  and  com- 
corcised    at 

1  and  execu- 
f  enforcing, 
lie  revenue, 
en  for  that 
ower ;  and 
nes  worked 
n  banks. 

it  followed 
ney  and  ro- 
sigucd — rc- 


Chap.  XII.]  bank  riTAIlTER.  203 

("uiiu'd  the  prai'tli'o  of  law,  and  di'-d  in  di'partinciitM,  he  liTt  the  imprcvsinn  of  that 
January  IHIM.  His  labors  were  imt  ton-  fcarh'ss  but  prudent  cncr^ry  wbirh  j^ovcnis 
Kni'd  to  what  may,  without  exafintMatiiiu,  be  I  bi'st  and  is  mo>t  approM'd,  'J'ht'  abh'Mt 
termed  lieroi(!  rt'm('<Hi!s  fnr  the  (liscasiMl  and  vindication  of  the  ciiiiscs  of  the  war  was 
))rostrate  financi's,  in  which  liis  intrepiil  tli<>  proiluctioii  of  his  iuidui;;lit  hi>iir-<,  stuli'ii 
ailministration  was  like  Hrown's  and  .lack- j  from  the  rcpusc  rcouired  after  toil  sc.nn' trea- 
son's in  the  field;  it  invigorated  the  Kxe-  sury  days.  Ami  tlie  delicate  ta^k  of  redue- 
cutive,  roused  ('on;5rcss,  and  inspired  the  ■  inj;  the  army  from  the  war  to  a  jieace  es- 
people.  Klevation,  promptitude,  ciuicilia- ,  lablishment,  which  Monroe,  a  candidate 
titui,  and  decision,  with  jii;veat  labor,  cha-  I  for  t'l  •  presidency,  would  have  found  an 
racterized  his  brii'f  career;  whi(di  l)e;;an  invidious  and  uii;iniciouM  duty,  was  per- 
with  jfoveriiment  at  the  lowest,  and  soon  i  formeil  Ipy  Mr.  Jtallas  as  acting  Secretary 
left  it — favored  inileed  by  fortune — it  the  of  War. 
highest   pitch.     lu   three  of  the  principal  | 


CIIAPTKR  XII. 


CIIARTKR  AND  CATASTIlOrilE  01    THK  UNITED  STATES  RANK. 


The  next  Congress,  when  I  was  no  longe. 
a  member,  reeeiveil,  in  the  President's  an- 
nual   message,    the    Sth    December,    IS  15, 
Madison's  first  entire  adhesion  to  a  national 
bank,  though  in  still  measured  intimatic 
"If  all  oth(!r  means  failed  of  arranging   li 
finances  and  exchanges,"  it  said,  "and   lu' 
operation  of  the  State  banks  cannot  pro- 
duce the  result,  the  operation  of  a  national 
bank  will  merit  consideration."     Next  day 
a  special  committee,  the  seventh  raised  by 
the  House  of  Uepresentatives  for  that  pur- 
pose, besides  several  in  the  Senate,  was  ap- 
pointed b\   Speaker  Clay,  re-elected,  con- 
sisting   of   John    C.   Calhoun,    Nathaniel 
Macon,  James  Pleasants,  Joseph  lIoi>kin- 
8on,    Holling   Uol)crtson,   (leorgo    Tucker, 
and  Timothy  Pickering.    Soenitary  Dallas' 
report,  on  the  7th  December,  I81o,  strongly  I 
recommended,  and  his  letter  of  the  24th  of  i 
that  month,  in  answer  t"  Mr.  Calhoun,  for 
the  committees'  official  ck  1  ..'"that  day,  de- 
veloped his  jilan  of  the  r,;  ^tution,  which, 
on  tlio  10th  of  April,  1810,  was  duly  char- ' 
tercd  by  act  of  Congress,  approved  by  Pre- 1 
sident  Madison.     Tn  ;  bank  was  carried  by  i 
the  Republican  party,  mainly  ;  the  Federal- ; 
ists  mostly  v;>tii'g.igainst  it, especially  Dan- ' 
icl  Webster,    Jeremiah  Mason,  and  John  | 
Sergeant,  who  became  its  chief  counsellors, 
advocates  and  agents.     Opposition  by  Jo- 1 
soph  llopkinson  and  John  Sergeant  nearly 
fixed  it  at  New  York  instead  of  Philadel- 
phia.    The  votes  on  the  final  passage  of  the 
bill  in  the  House  were  80  to  *  1 ;  in  the  So- 1 
nato  22  to  12. 

The  difficult  and  disreputable  beginning, 
slow  and  doul)tful  progress,  succeeding  use- 
fulness, power  and  celebrity,  contest  and 
catastrophe  of  the  bank,  were  not  events  of 
the  war  of  1812,  but,  considered  as  among 
its  offspring,  may  justify  a  contlnuaiieo  of 
their  history  from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 


In  IF-'*  on(f  of  those  civil  revolutions, 
which  >'iout  molis,  massacres,  or  more 
than  ;  i^/'iiar  commotion,  jieriodically  con- 
vuls(!  I)y  party  and  corroborate  liy  patriot- 
ism this  republic-  11  empire  of  distant  sove- 
.eignties,  jdaced  .'cfl'erson,  one  of  the  few 
..>.flexibl(,'  opponents  of  a  bank  o*"  the  United 
States,  in  the  pri'sideney.  IJut  from  1801, 
when  ])ut  there,  till  1800,  whci  he  retired, 
the  bank  was  in  full  o]ieration,  aiul  his  Se- 
cretary of  the  Treasury,  Mr.  (billatin,  had 
liecome  convinced  of  its  great  ;  .hlic  utility, 
if  not  constitutional  jiropriety.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  Madison's  succee<ling  administration, 
he  endeavored  to  bring  about  its  re-charter, 
anil  among  the  disailvantr.ges  of  the  war  of 
1812,  regretted  the  want  of  such  a  fiscal  en- 
gine. Kestored,  as  we  have  seen  it  was,  af- 
ter five  years'  interregnum,  in  the  (dose  (d" 
Madison's,  the  eight  years  of  Monroe's 
tranquil,  and  the  four  of  John  Quincy  Ad- 
ams' contested  presidencies  were  adminis- 
tered with  a  bank  of  the  United  States,  seve- 
ral years  of  them  und(>r  Mr.  Riddle's  much 
approved  direction.  The  United  States  had 
never,  but  for  the  short  interval  from  1811 
tolSlf),  been  without  a  natit>nal  l)ank,  wdicii 
in  1828  anfithiT  civil  revolution  raised  a 
so^^'er  to  the  chief  magistracy,  who,  as  he 
conquered  the  Indians  in  1813,  and  the 
English  in  1814,  ])y  similar  bold  aggression 
in  his  first  year,  attacked  tlie  bank  of  the 
United  States,  never  resting  till  he  achieved 
its  overthrow.  Mr.  Hush's  last  annual  re- 
port to  Congress,  as  Mr.  Adams'  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  in  December,  1828,  bore 
strong  vahnlictory  testimony  to  the  great 
usefulness  of  the  bank.  President  Jack- 
son's first  of  his  rnpid  series  of  Secretaries 
of  the  Treasury,  Mr.  Samuel  D.  Ingham, 
soon  after  the  Jackson  administration  be- 
gan, in  an  official  hotter  to  the  bank,  dated 
the  11th  of  July,  1820,  "took  occasion  to 


m'. 


264 


JACKSON  DENOUNCES  THE  BANK. 


[1829. 


W  !i 


|..v'.jtK,; '.       n 


?i*:  ■■■' 

'•'■■■   4  ■      :' 

■fii 

,i. 


■w'y  ■■  :     . 

',^r  Til  : 

tm  \ 

PI' 

In!  ^ 

lUl  ; 

express  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  trcasu- 1  but  a  favoralilc  Issue  to  lay  Ijeforc  the  peo- 
ry  (lenartmcnt  at  the  manner  in  which  the  pie,  for  the  people  love  vetoeH,  and  his  veto, 
presiuont  and  directors  of  tlio  parent  }j<ank  notwithstandingstrongiuterposalto prevent 
have  discharged  their  trusts  in  all  their  im-   '     was  inevitable. 


jncdiute  relation  to  the  government."  The 
President,  too,  in  his  first  annual  message 
to  Congress,  iiv  December,  1S29,  applauded 


the  judicious  arrangements  of 


v,  appiau( 
the  officers 


of 


the  bank,  averting  an  evil  apprehended  at 
a  time  of  unusinil  jtressure  on  the  money 
market,  in  paying  off  a  large  amount  of  na- 
tional debt. 

Yet  a  distinct  and  alarming  paragraph 
in  that  same  message  significantly  declared 
tliat  "the  charter  of  the  Itank  expires  in 
1S3G,  and  its  stockholders  will  most  in-o])a- 
lily  apply  for  a  renewal  of  their  privileges. 


The  early  attempt  of  Mr.  Ingham,  liis  first 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  I'cmove  Mr. 
Mason  from  the  Portsmouth  branch,  instead 
of  Jackson's  effort  to  enlist,  was  Mr.  Ing- 
ham's to  preserve  the  bank,  and  that  skirni- 
isli,  which  seemed  to  bring  on  the  great  bat- 
tle, was  not  at  all  indispensable — the  battle 
was  inevitable.  Still,  it  was  provocation. 
The  president  of  the  bank  set  up  a  stand- 
ard of  independence  which  could  not  be 
maintained  ;  the  power  of  money  on  credit, 
against  that  of  pupularlty,  in  the  country 
of  universal    sulfra;;e.     Sharp   letters   bc- 


Doth  the  constitutionality  and  the  expcdi- i  tween  him  and  the  S;?cretary  of  the  Trca^ 


ency  of  the  law  creating  this  bank  are  well 
((uestioned  by  a  large  portion  of  our  fcdlow- 
citi/.ens;  and  it  must  bo  admitted  by  all 
that  it  has  failed  in  the  groat  end  of  esta- 
blishing a  uniform  and  sound  currency.  If 
such  an  institution  is  deemed  essential  to 
the  fiscal  opcratioi.s  of  the  government,  I 
t^ubmit  to  the  wisdom  of  the  legislature 
whether  a  national  one,  founded  on  the  cre- 
<lit  of  the  government  and  its  revenues, 
might  not  be  devised,  which  would  avoid 
all  constitutional  diflicuhies,  and  at  the 
same  time  secure  all  the  advantages  to  the 
government  and  the  country  that  were  ex- 
jiected  to  result  from  the  presei\t  bank." 
\S\i\\  that  portentous  assault  began  the 
struggle  and  final  agony  of  the  monster,  as 
Jackson  afterwards  called  the  bank,  whose 
dissolution  shook  this  country  to  its  found- 
ations, involved  the  State  banks  in  a'ternate 
expansion  and  suspension,  dist-Toed  the 
exchanges  with  Europe  and  Asia,  and,  after 
many  years  of  tribulation  more  painful  than 
foreign  war,  and  more  expensive,  aeeom- 
plishcd,  if  any  thing,  that  separation  of  State 
from  bank,  which  was  no  part  of  Jackson's 
design.  To  a  United  States  bank  his  uni- 
form language  indicated  that  ho  was  not 
opposed  ;  with  the  State  banks  he  was  led 
into  extremely  detrimental  conjunction,  llis 
most  confidential  intimates  and  advisers,  if 
indeed  he  took  any  advice  so  persuasive  as 
his  own  instinctive  will,  declare  that  ho  as- 
sumed the  presidency  determined  to  put 
down  the  institution  as  it  was.  Ilis  inten- 
tion was  to  proclaim  that  determination  in 
his  inaugural  address.  But  from  that  he 
was  dissuaded  by  fricncLs,  who  convinced 
him  that,  inasmuch  as  the  bank  charter  was 
a  legislative  act,  his  first  notice  of  it  ought 
to  bo  in  a  message  to  Congress.  From  the 
intimation  of  that  first  message  he  never 
swerved,  though  great  efforts  wei'O  nnxde  to 
turn  him  aside.  lie  relinquished  the  idea 
(if  retir'unent  after  his  first  presidential 
term,  in  o.'der  to  effect  his  purpose.  Early 
"ppeal  to  the  popular  attention  and  excite- 
ment he  deemed  necessary  to  his  success, con- 
sidering the  bank  question  not  a  formidable 


sui-y,  with  futile  cdoJ,  swelled  the  parade 
of  hostilities,  proclaimed,  as  the  adherents 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States  af- 
iiruu'd,  to  turn  a  government  bank  into  a 
bank  government. 

The  first  annual  message  of  DecemLcr  1S20 
was  countervailed  by  favorable  reports  from 
the  appropriate  committees  of  both  Houses 
of  Congress.  The  House  of  Rej)resenta- 
tives  referred  the  subject  to  a  committee,  of 
which  Mr.  (ieorge  McDuflae  was  chairman, 
and  the  Senate  to  one  presided  by  General 
Samuel  Smith,  both  of  whom  made  reports, 
that  of  Governor  McDuffie  pre-eminent  in 
constitutional  and  fiscal  exposition  ;  that  of 
General  Smith  abounding  with  practical 
views,  all  in  favor  of  the  bank,  and  dejirc- 
cating  the  President's  destruction  of  it. 
Three  years  of  contest  followed  between 
the  president  of  the  bank  and  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  Jackson's  sa- 
gacious temerity,  his  hatred  not  of  a 
bank,  but  of  all  eurnmcy  but  coin,  his  un- 
bounded confidence  in  the  peoi)le  and  theirs 
in  him,  were  resisted  by  Biddlc,  with  unli- 
mited disposal  of  several  millions  a  j'oar,  for 
enlisting  the  press,  the  forum,  legislation, 
speculati(;n  and  party  under  a  leader  proud 
to  be  pitted  against  the  great  tribune,  and 
resolved,  like  him,  to  conquer  or  die.  Jack- 
son staked  his  re-election  on  the  issue ; 
proof  of  uneducated  knowledge  of  man- 
kind, superior  to  the  calculations  of  those 
who  are  wise  by  learning,  instead  of 
mother-wit:  Biddle  staked  the  bank  on 
wresting  a  charter  from  Jackson ;  and 
seldom  was  the  might  of  money  more  tho- 
roughly, or  more  adroitly  exerted.  In 
18o2,  5lr.  Biddle  pitched  his  tent  at  the 
seat  of  government,  and  there,  with  majo- 
rities in  both  Houses  of  Congress  to  sus- 
tain him,  precipitated  the  conflict  with  Ge- 
neral Jackson,  upon  his  own  anticipating 
tactics.  Nearly  all  of  Jackson's  cabinet, 
favorable  to  the  bank, warned  Biddle  against 
then  bringing  on  the  struggle  whether  the 
government  should  rule  the  bank,  oi"  the 
bank  rule  the  government. 
The  second  annual  message  of  1830  in- 


[1S29. 

foro  the  peo- 
iiiid  his  veto, 
jiiltopvcvcut 

!iam,  liis  first 
rciiiovo  Mr, 
iicli,  instead 
as  Mr.  Inp;. 
1  that  skirm- 
lio  grout  bat- 
;— the  battle 
provocation. 

up  a  stand- 
ould  not  be 
■y  on  credit, 
tlio  country 

letters  be- 
:if  the  Trca- 

thc  parade 
10  adherents 
d  StatoM  af- 
bauk  into  a 

ceniLcr  1829 
reports  from 
both  Houses 
Keijresenta- 
ununittce,  of 
s  chairman, 
[  by  General 
laife  reports, 
-eminent  in 
tion ;  that  of 
;h   practical 
,  and  dejire- 
lition   of  it. 
ed  between 
I  the  Prcsi- 
ickson's  sa- 
not    of   a 
oin,  his  un- 
e  and  theirs 
with  unli- 
a  year,  for 
ejijislation, 
ider  proud 
ibune,  and 
die.    Jack- 
thc  issue ; 
e  of  mau- 
ls of  those 
instead    of 
bank   on 
kson ;    and 
more  tho- 
crted.      In 
out  at  the 
kvith  majo- 
ess  to  sus- 
3t  with  Ge- 
iiticipating 
's  cabinet, 
die  against 
lethor  the 
Ilk,  or  the 

f  1830  in- 


Chap.  XII.] 


CHANGE  OF  CABINET. 


2C3 


dicated  no  insuperable,  much  less  constitu- 
tional objection  to  a  bank  of  the  United 
States.  "  The  importance  of  the  principle 
involved  in  the  inquiry,  whether  it  will  bo 
proper  to  red  .irtcr  the  IJank  of  the  United 
States,  reciuires  that  I  should  again  call  the 
attention  of  Congress  to  the  subject.  No- 
thing has  occurred  to  lessen,  in  any  degree, 
the  dangers  which  many  of  our  citizens 
apprehend  from  that  institution,  as  at  pre- 
sent organized.  In  the  spirit  of  improve- 
ment and  compromise  •which  distinguish 
our  country  and  its  institutions,  it  becomes 
us  to  inquire  whether  it  bo  not  possible 
to  secure  the  advantages  afforded  by  the 

S resent  bank,  through  the  agency  of  a 
ank  of  the  United  States  so  modified  in 
its  principles  and  structure  as  to  obviate 
constitutional  and  other  objections. 

"  It  is  thought  practicable  to  organize 
such  a  bank  with  the  necessary  officers,  as 
a  branch  of  the  treasury  department,  based 
on  the  public  and  individual  deposits,  with- 
out power  to  make  loans  or  purchase  pro- 
perty, which  shall  remit  the  funds  of  the 
government;  and  the  expenses  of  which 
may  be  paid,  if  thought  advisable,  by  allow- 
ing its  officers  to  sell  bills  of  exchange  to 
private  individuals,  at  a  moderate  premium. 
Not  being  a  corporate  body,  having  no 
stockholders,  debtors,  or  propertj-,  and  but 
few  officers,  it  would  not  be  obnoxious  to 
llio  constitutional  objections  which  arc 
urged  against  the  present  bank ;  and  hav- 
ing no  means  to  operate  on  the  hopes,  fears, 
or  interests  of  large  masses  of  the  commu- 
nity, it  would  bo  shorn  of  the  influence 
which  makes  that  bank  formidable.  The 
States  would  bo  strengthened  by  having  in 
their  hands  the  means  of  furnishing  the 
local  paper  currency  through  their  own 
banks ;  while  the  Bank  of  the  United  States, 
though  issuing  no  paper,  would  check  the 
issues  of  the  State  banks,  by  taking  their 
notes  in  deposit,  and  for  exchange  only,  so 
long  as  they  continue  to  be  redeemed  with 
specie.  In  times  of  public  emergencj-,  the 
capacities  of  such  an  institution  might  be 
enlarged  by  legislative  provisions. 

"These  suggestions  are  made,  notso  much 
as  a  recommendation,  as  with  a  view  of 
calling  the  attention  of  Congress  to  the 
possible  modifications  of  a  system  which 
cannot  continue  to  exist  in  its  present  form, 
without  occasional  collisions  with  the  local 
authorities,  and  perpetual  apprehensions 
and  discontent  on  the  part  of  the  States  and 
the  people." 

This  repeated  attack  had  no  great  effect. 
The  Tlouse  of  Representatives  took  no  ac- 
tion on  the  subject;  and  Colonel  Beuton's 
motion  in  the  Senate  for  leave  to  introduce 
a  bill  against  rccharter  was  rejected  by  23 
to  20  votes. 

On  the  20th  April,  1''31,  the  government 
gazette,  tho  Globe,  astonished  the  com- 
munity, by  officially  announcing   a  total 


change  in  President  Jackson's  cabinet.  A 
camarilla  quarrel,  which  troubled  the  unity 
of  his  administration,  was  sujipcicd  to 
have  eventually  led  to  that  explosi(jn,  or 
state  stroke,  in  which,  as  females  were  in- 
volved, no  more  need  be  said  than  that  it 
was  one  of  those  sudden,  astonishing, 
and  strange  events,  such  as  a  Duchess  of 
Marlborough  or  Madame  do  Maintenou 
might  cause,  but  till  then  in  Americau 
republican  government  unknown;  toAvhich, 
however,  it  is  proper  to  allude,  as  far  as  it 
affected  the  bank,  and  as  a  tiivial  personal 
quarrel'  of  society  acted  on  the  gcstion  of 
public  events.  After  the  death  of  Do  Witt 
Clinton,  who,  it  was  supposed,  would  have 
been  President  Jackson's  SecriUary  of 
State,  ho  called  to  that  jjost  Martin  Van 
Buren,  Governor  of  New  York,  who  gave 
out  that  ho  should  go  to  Washington  to 
revive  tho  doctrines  of  Jefferson,  which 
others  had  preached,  but  he  shouhl  prac- 
tise, and  among  them  he  soon  coincided  in 
General  Jackson's  ojijiosition  to  the  bank,  to 
which  jMr.  Van  Buren  professed  uncomi)ro- 
niising  hostilit3\  Appointed  minister  to 
England,  on  resigning  the  Department  of 
State,  and  succeeded  in  that  department  by 
Edward  Livingston,  the  bank  acquired  a  fast 
friend,  instead  of  an  avowed  enemy  there, 
near  tho  President's  person.  Mr.  Louis 
McLano,  brought  home  from  tho  English 
mission  to  take  Mr.  Ingham's  place  in  tho 
Treasury  Dej>artment,  was,  like  him,  a  sup- 
porter of  the  bank,  without  approving  tho 
course  of  its  president.  In  his  annual  re- 
port, tho  7th  December,  1831,  Mr.  McLane 
applauded  "  the  present  good  management 
of  the  bank,  the  accommodation  it  has 
given  government,  and  the  practical  bene- 
fits it  has  rendered  the  community,  which 
give  it  strong  claims  upon  the  considera- 
tion of  Congress."  And  he  connected  it 
with  Jackson's  laudaldc  longing  to  extin- 
guish tho  national  debt,  bj^  selling  the  go- 
vernment bank  shares,  if  sold,  for  eight 
millions  of  dollars,  which,  in  addition  to 
the  incoming  receipts,  Avould  accomplish 
that  consumuiation.  The  President's  annu- 
al message  at  the  same  time  left  the  mat- 
ter to  Congress,  where  it  belonged.  "  En- 
tertaining," said  the  message,  "the  opin- 
ion heretofore  expressed  in  relation  to  tho 
Bank  of  the  United  States,  as  at  present 
organized,  I  felt  it  my  duty  in  my  former 
messages  frankly  to  disclose  them,  in  order 
that  the  attention  of  the  legislature  and  the 
people  should  bo  seasonaljly  directed  to 
that  important  subject,  and  that  it  might 
be  considered  and  finally  disposed  of  in  a 
manner  calculated  to  promote  tho  ends  of 
tho  Constitution,  and  subserve  the  public 
interest.  Having  conscientiously  discharg- 
ed a  constitutional  duty,  I  deem  it  proper, 
on  this  occasion,  without  a  more  particu- 
lar I'cferencc  to  tho  views  of  the  subject 
heretofore  expressed,  to  leave  it  at  present 


[  m 


if. 


2GG 


VAN  BUREN  REJECTED. 


[1831. 


|fi:*rav  -.i 

fctet  \ 

mm  ^t 


to    tho    investigation    of   an    enlightened 
people  and  their  representatives." 

In  that  frame  of  the  President's  mind, 
the  Senate  recalled  Mr.  Van  Buren  from 
England,  by  an  inconsiderate  for  them- 
selves, and  for  the  hank  unfortunate 
mistake.  JiStal)lishod,  and  contented  in 
London,  with  his  epicurean  inclinations 
and  easy  temper,  tho  American  minister 
enjoyed  tho  splendid  hospitalities  of  the 
British  aristocracy  in  a  life  of  luxurious 
ease,  freed  from  the  I'ude  cares  of  demo- 
cracy, and  perhaps  without  thought  of 
further  promotion,  when,  on  the  7th  De- 
cember, 1831,  his  nomination  was  cast  into 
tho  Senatorial  urn.  The  dean  of  the  di- 
plomatic corps  then  at  the  court  of  St. 
James,  old  Prince  Talleyrand,  had  lived  an 
exile  at  Albany,  an  unfrocked  and  impover- 
ished priest,  when  Martin  Van  Buren  was  a 
poor  boy  at  Kinderhook.  On  the  19th  May, 
1794,  Charles  Maurice  de  Talleyrand  Pe- 
rigord  voluntarily  made  oath  before  Mat- 
thew Clarkson,  Mayor  of  Philadelphia,  that 
"  born  at  Paris,  and  arrived  at  Philadel- 
phia from  London,  I  Avill  be  faithful  and 
maintain  allegiance  to  tho  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  the  United  States  ' 
of  America,  and  that  I  will  not-  at  any 
time,  wilfully  and  knowingly  do  any  matter 
or  thing  prejudicial  to  the  freedom  and  in- 
dependence thereof:" — one  of  his  numerous 
oaths  of  allegiance,  to  which  he  had  added 
several  more  before  meeting  Mr.  Van  Buren 
in  London.  Soon  after  that  oath  the  French 
ambassador's  royal  master,  Louis  Philippe, 
rode  on  saddle-bags,  which  contained  all  his 
wardi'obe,  a  wanderer  in  American  wilds, 
cleaning  his  own  boots  and  taking  other 
lessons  of  humility,  which  in  1831  he  seem- 
ed to  approve,  and  in  1848  is  sorrowfully 
bound  to  undergo.  The  sailor  king  of  Great 
Britain,  AVilliam  the  Fourth,  of  George  the 
Third's  seven  sons  the  most  vulgar  and  ill- 
bred,  with  facetious  civility,  entertained  the 
American  minister  at  Windsor.  Among 
the  gorgeous  embassies  of  spendthrift  po- 
tentates, contemning  the  parliamentary  re- 
form by  which  some  approximation  to  Ame- 
rican institutions  was  attempting  to  prevent 
revolution  in  England,  the  American  minis- 
ter was  basking  under  the  Corinthian  co- 
lumns of  magnificent  governments,  while 
Senatorial  cabal  conspired  to  degrade  him 
and  mortify  his  protector.  In  that  Sena- 
torial caldron  seethe  the  many  patent,  and 
still  more  numerous  latent  presidential 
aspirations,  thirsting  for  the  draught  never 
enjoyed  ;  for  they  are  curious  facts  in  Ame- 
rican politics,  that  no  Senator  ever  has 
been  elected  President,  and  but  few  Presi- 
dents have  been  Senators. 

After  favorable  report  from  the  eom- 
mittoo  on  Mr.  Van  Buren's  nomination, 
John  Holmes,  on  the  17th  January,  1832, 
moved  to  recommit,  with  instructions,  in- 
volving tho  cabalistic  changes  in  the  cabi- 


net. With  ominous  discussion,  finally,  on 
the  bitter  cold  night  of  the  25th  January, 
1832,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  rejected  by  a  vote 
of  23  to  23,  and  tlie  casting  vote  of  Vice 
President  Calhoun.  Mr.  Webster,  the  last 
on  whom  such  an  imputation  sat  grace- 
fully, charged  Jlr.  Van  Buren  with  snli- 
servieney  to  England.  An  ill-assorted  tri- 
umvirate of  Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Calhoun  and 
Mr.  Webster,  all  aspirants  for  the  presi- 
dency, defeated  President  Jackson  and  his 
favorite,  recalleil  Mr.  Van  Buren  from  his 
mission  to  preside  over  themselves  as  Vice 
President ;  and  from  that  bound,  by  them 
and  their  adherents,  by  Jackson's  support, 
and  the  bank's  opposition,  to  be  carried 
forward  to  the  presidoTiey,  after  Jackson's 
second  term,  which  he  then  thought  proper 
to  undertake,  after  having  unequivocally 
declined  it. 

By  like  Senatorial  passion  was  Isaac 
Hill  raised  from  being  second  comptroller 
to  Senator,  Avho  probaldy  caused  the  at- 
tempt to  remove  Jeremiah  IMason  from  tlio 
presidency  of  the  Portsmouth  branch  bank. 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  elevation  by  popular  reac- 
tion was  a  severe  blow  to  tho  baiik,  against 
which  Jackson's  ardent  antagonism  had  in 
him  a  calm,  wary,  influential  and  provident 
aid.  On  the22d  March,  183i.,  INIr.^'an  Buren 
had  his  audience  of  leave  in  England,  on  the 
24th  dined  at  Windsor  Castle  with  th.  xing, 
and  on  the  5th  July  landed  at  N"-,.  York 
on  his  triumphant  recall :  declined  the 
popular  ovation  there  awaiting  him,  be- 
cause of  the  cholera  then  prevailing  in  that 
city;  but  on  tlio  8th  was  closeted  with 
Jackson  at  Washington,  to  confirm  his  veto 
of  the  bank  bill,  sent  the  second  day  after- 
wards to  the  Senate,  where  it  originated. 

Soon  after  tho  third  annual  messaM 
against  the  bank  in  December,  1831,  Mr. 
Dallas,  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  Senators, 
on  the  9th  January,  183^,  presented  their 
memorial  f  n-  recharter,  and  had  it  referred 
to  a  s.  !':ct  committee,  who  reported  on  the 
13th  ]\Iarch,  1832,  a  charter,  with  modifica- 
tions, for  the  term  of  fifteen  years.  Meantime, 
the  conflict  having  begun  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  the  Senate  bill  was  laid  on 
tho  table  to  await  the  action  of  the  other 
House.  On  the  9th  January,  1832,  Mr. 
McDuflie  presented  the  memorial  there,  and 
had  it  referred  to  the  committee  of  ways 
and  moans,  of  which  ho  was  cliairman, 
which  eonnnitteo,  on  the  10th  February-, 
1832,  reported  for  tho  recharter.  Mr. 
Mark  Alexander,  from  the  minority  of 
that  committee,  reported  against  it.  Five 
thousand  copies  of  the  bill,  report  and 
counter-report,  were  ordered  to  be  printed. 
When  Mr.  McDuffie,  on  presenting  the  me- 
morial, moved  its  reference  to  the  commit- 
tee of  waj-s  and  means,  Mr.  Cambreleng 
moved  a  reference  to  a  select  committee, 
which  motion,  after  debate  and  under  tho 
previous  question  moved  by  Louis  Condict, 


[1831. 

m,  finally,  on 
15th  Jiinuary, 
ctod  by  a  vote 
vote  of  Vioo 
bstor,  the  last 
m  sat  ;^Tapo- 
en  with  siih- 
ll-asKovted  trl- 
Calhoun  and 
For  the  prosi- 
5kson  and  his 
iren  from  his 
solves  as  Vice 
und,  by  them 
5on's  support, 
to  be  carried 
'ter  Jackson's 
lionght  proper 
uncrpiivocally 

)n  Avas   Isaac 

d  comptroller 

auseil  the  at- 

ason  from  the 

branch  liank, 

'  popular  reac- 

bank,  apjainst 

a;onism  had  in 

and  provident 

Mr.  Van  Buron 

lnp;lan(l,  on  the 

with  th.  kinjr, 

at  N-,.  York 

dcolined    the 

tin;;   him,   bc- 

vailin;;  in  that 

closeted  with 

infirm  his  veto 

ond  day  aftcr- 

orit;inatcd. 
nual    messaf;e 
ber,  ISai,  Mr. 
inia  Senators, 
resented  their 
uid  it  referred 
ported  on  the 
with  modifica- 
rs.  Meantime, 
the  House  of 
lillwas  laid  on 
of  the  other 
ry,  18:?2,  ]Mr. 
rial  there,  and 
littec  of  ways 
'an   chairman, 
)th  Feljruary, 
charter.      Mr. 
>    minority    of 
linst,  it.     Five 
1,    report   and 
til  be  ))rintcd. 
L'uting  the  me- 
to  the  commit- 
'.  Cambreleng 
ct  committee, 
ind  under  the 
Louis  Condict, 


XII.] 


CLAYTON'S  COMMITTEE. 


2G7 


Wi!S  negatived  100  to  90.  Among  the  nega- 
tives on  that  vote  appeared  Mr.  James  K. 
Polk,  ilio  future  President,  whose  opposi- 
tion to  the  Ijank  as  member,  as  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  and 
as  Speaker,  was  uniformly  active  and.  ener- 
getic. On  the  23d  February,  1832,  Mr. 
Augustine  S.  Clayton,  on  leave,  moved  his 
resolution  for  a  select  committee  to  examine 
into  the  affairs  of  the  bank,  with  power  to 
send  for  persons  and  papers,  and  to  report 
to  the  House.  On  the  14th  March,  1832, 
that  resolution  was  considered,  and  after 
various  amendments  rejected,  that  of  Mr. 
Adams  was  carried,  lOG  to  92,  for  the 
amended  resolution,  and  the  select  com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Siieaker,  Andrew 
Stevenson.  Mr.  Edward  Everett  moved  to 
choose  ihe  committee  by  lot,  but  withdrew 
the  motion  on  Mr.  McDuffic's  request,  and 
the  Speaker  nanKsd  Augustine  S.  Clayton, 
John  Quincy  Adams,  George  McDuffie, 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  Churchill  C.  Cambre- 
leng, Francis  Thomas,  and  John  G.  Wat- 
mough.  By  Mr.  Adams'  amendment  the 
committee  had  leave  to  meet  in  Philadel- 
phia, were  to  make  their  final  report  by 
the  21st  April,  1832,  might  emi^loy  clerks, 
and  their  expenses  were  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  contingent  fund  of  the  House. 

Not  till  the  1st  Jlay,  1832,  Mr.  Clayton 
from  the  majority  of  the  committee ;  on 
the  11th  May,  1832,  Mr.  McDuflie  from 
the  minority  ;  and  on  the  14th  Sir.  Adams 
alone,  made  their  resiiective  reports.  Three 
of  the  committee  for  the  bank,  three 
against  it,  and  one,  Colonel  Johnson, 
voted  Avith  the  three  supporters  to  enable 
them  to  report,  but  declared  that,  though 
he  assi'iited  to  their  report,  he  disclaimed 
any  intention  to  cast  the  least  reflection  on 
the  integrity  of  the  president  of  the  bank 
or  its  government,  and  upon  Mr.  Biddlc 
bestowed  high  praise  for  great  merit.  It 
would  be  useless  to  repeat  the  several 
counts   of  what  Mr.  McPuffie  called  Mr. 


polemics  ho  delighted  and  excelled  in,  de- 
fended Avhat  was  charged  as  subsidizing 
the  press.  Why  should  not  n  bank  be  suc- 
cored by  a  free  press,  as  Avell  as  a  presi- 
dent? who  shall  fetter  the  hallowed  free- 
dom of  the  press?  and  ho  lashed  with 
unmerciful  if  not  unmerited  castigation  a 
quondam  bank  director  who  had  forsworn 
(as  Mr.  Adams  charged)  against  Mr.  Bid- 
die.  In  short,  it  was  at  worst  for  the  bank 
a  draAvn  battle,  if  that. 

Public  sentiment  was  aroused,  but  the 
bank  had  the  best  of  it.  A  solitary  resolu- 
tion of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New 
York  had,  on  the  8th  of  February,  1832,  in- 
structed the  Senators  of  that  State,  and  re- 
quested its  Representatives,  to  vote  against 
renewal  of  the  charter.  On  the  23d  of  Janu- 
ary, 1832,  Colonel  Benton  asked  leave  of  the 
Senate  to  bring  in  a  joint  resolution  declara- 
tory of  the  meaning  of  the  bank's  charter,  on 
the  subject  of  the  paper  currency  to  be  issued, 
which  was  refused,  20  to  10 ;  Mr.  Dallas  vot- 
ing against,  Mr.  Forsyth,  Mr.  Grundy  and 
Mr.  Troup,  three  members  of  the  House  when 
the  bank  Avas  attempted  in  1814-15,  A'oting 
for.  Colonel  Benton's  leave.  The  horoscope 
of  stocks  and  of  party,  feeble  reports  to 
Congress  against,  forcible  reports  for,  the 
bank,  the  undeniable  fact  that  not  one 
charge  against  it  had  been  inoontrovn-ti- 
bly  substantiated,  betokened  that  the  Pre- 
sident, if  relying  on  Congress,  Avould  bo 
disappointed.  Mr.  Cambreleng  and  IMr. 
Thomas  indeed  imputed  sinister  cxpan.sions 
and  contractions.  Mr.  Clayton,  by  bolder 
accusation,  proclaimed  the  bank  broken,  and 
that  it  could  not  pay  its  debts.  Mr.  Polk, 
and  a  foAV  other  members  of  Congress,  Avith 
Colonel  Be-  ton  and  the  Attorney  G''-ieral, 
Taney,  avowed  their  determination  j  put 
an  end  to  it.  But  nearly  all  the  consorva- 
tiA-o  portion  of  the  Democratic  party,  Avith  the 
venerable  Madison  at  their  head,  advocated 
a  renewal  of  the  charter ;  and  very  few  of  any 
party  belicAed  that  the  public  doposites  were 
Clayton's  indictment.    The  bank  went  back  '  not  perfectly  safe,  Avith  a  superabundance  of 


to  Congress  not  only  not  found  guilty^  but 
unimpaired  by  a  filtering  if  not  miling 
impeachment.  Ail  the  majority  ventured 
to  report  was  only  that  nothing  should  be 
done  as  to  rechartering  the  bank  until  the 
public  debt  Avas  poid,  and  the  public  reve- 
nue adjusted  to  the  measure  of  public  ex- 
penditures: conjunction,  like  individual 
competency,  ahvays  desiderated,  but  never 
accomplished.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
minority  report  Avas  a  bold  and  thorough 
vindication  of  the  institution.  Mr.  McDuffie 
pronounced  "  visionary  in  the  extreme  all 
imagination  that  the  bank  Avas  in  the 
slightest  danger  of  being  reduced  to  the 
necessity  of  suspending  payment;"  and 
taxed  the  majority  Avith  "design  to  produce 
a  scene  of  general  embarrassment  and  dis- 
tress in  tlie  absence  of  natural  causes." 
Mr.  Adams,  Avith  uU  tlio  power  of  the  bitter 


capital  to  meet  every  liability.  No  charge 
had  been  established  as  specified,  except, 
perhaps,  the  least  specific,  but  most  danger- 
ous of  all,  that  the  bank  was  in  the  field  of 
politics,  assailing  goA'ernment  in  the  person 
of  a  popular  chief  magistrate,  Avho,  though 
by  no  means  the  government  in  theory,  Avas 

[)ractically  so,  and  a  formidable  foe  to  chal- 
onge  by  a  bank,  whose  influence,  howcA'er 
extensive  and  great,  did  not  I'cacli  doAVU  to 
the  roots  of  plebeian  potentiality. 

Of  the  tAvelve  members  of  Jackson's  two 
successiAC  cabinets,  in  less  than  two  years 
no  less  than  eight,  four  out  of  six  of  each 
cabinet,  Avere  friends  of  the  bank,  desiring 
its  rocharter.  Majorities  in  both  Houses 
of  Congress  wore  always  so;  and  Jack- 
son's aversion  Avas  not  to  a  bank  of  tlio 
United  States.  Sir.  Ingham's  appeal  to  tho 
public  gave  it  to  be  uudorstood  tliat  the  Prc- 


,-M- 


208 


RECIIARTER  TRESSED. 


[18 


.1.0 


,(■■■,, 


a?, 


lit    fe^  :,.?* 


sidcnt's  roitoratoil  olijnction  was  to  its  expe- 
diency, Imt  not  constitutional.  His  ublic 
acts,  and  the  veto  itself,  all  .said  so.  There 
v.'cro  written  aiiplications  on  the  liles  of  the 
lic.nk  for  liranclies  (and  other  similar  tokens 
of  anproliation)  from  Andrew  -Jackson, 
Martin  Van  Buren,  and  Tiiomas  II.  Benton. 
Tliomas  .Jeflbrson,  in  1817,  recommended  a 
branch  hank.  E.\-President  JIadison,  in  two 
V  dilishod  letters,  ex-President  Moni'oc  and 
\.  illlam  II.  Crawford,  in  published  letters, 
E('  ard  Livingston,  Samuel  Smith,  if  not 
A.  't  Gallatin,  and  many  more  of  the  abori- 
f-'jlual  llepul>licau  party,  ami  a  majority  of  the 
war  repul)lican  party, were  avowed  advocates 
of  the  bank,  and  nearly  all  of  them  of  its  rc- 
chartor.  It  was  a  Republican  act,  as  far  as 
parties  were  concerned.  The  Federal  party 
wore  nearly  unanimous  for  a  bank;  and 
thouii;li  many  of  their  representatives  in 
Con.;j;ress  opposed  the  bank  attempted  in 
181-ir-ir),  and  chartered  in  1816,  yet  they  soon 
became  its  supporters,  counsel,  agents,  di- 
rectors, and  stockholders.  The  legislatures 
of  many  States,  memorials  from  town  meet- 
ings and  various  respectaldo  bodies  of  citi- 
zens, solicited  branches,  for  which  sixty- 
throe  applications,  respectably  and  power 


Mr.  Dallas,  the  Pennsylvania  Sennturs, 
nearly  all  that  portion  of  the  Republican 
party  which  sustained  the  bank,  counselled 
delay.  Let  the  President  have  time,  and 
his  friends  opportunity  of  reasoning  with 
him  1^0  not  force,  do  not  hurry  him. 
Wa  I  lie  event  of  his  election.  Let  him  bo 
the  a-'thor,  instead  of  destroyer,  of  a  bank. 
Edward  Livingston  was  constant  in  belief 
and  assurances  that,  if  conciliated  and  not 
consti'aincd,  the  rugged  chieftain  wcMild 
yield  on  fair  and  i-eason.able  terms.  Tlvt 
Attorney  General,  Mi*.  Taney,  was  the  only 
open  cabinet  opponent  of  the  bank.  From 
the  plains  of  New  Orleans,  where  he  served 
as  his  aid-de-camp,  to  the  council,  where, 
together,  they  produced  the  proclamation 
against  nullification,  Mr.  Livingston  en- 
joyed Jackson's  confidence.  Into  hi"  .lands 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Biddle  was  safely  depo- 
sited— not  trusted  to  the  post — offering  to 
accept  a  charter  on  almost  any  terms  that 
Jackson  might  prescribe.  Mr.  Biddle  was 
not  insensible  of  the  delicacy  of  his  situa- 
tion among  ambitious  leaders  whom  he 
could  hardly  resist,  avaricious  followers 
whom  he  despised,  and  numberless  flatter- 
ers,  lie  too  was  ambitious,  not  avaricious ; 


fuUv  presented,  were  refused  by  the  bank, '  not  insensible  to  flattery,  but  not  infatu' 
besides   the  twenty-five   estal)lished.     The   ated ;  fond  of  mysterious  ways,  but  not  a 


Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  in  February, 
1831,  by  large  majorities,  resolved  that  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  authorizes, 
and  near  half  a  century's  experience  sanc- 
tions, a  bank  of  the  United  States,  as  neces- 
sary and  proper  to  regulate  the  value  of 
money  and  prevent  paper  currency  of  un- 
equal and  depreciated  value:  and  again, 
the  next  year,  m  February,  1832,  instructed 
their  Scators  and  requested  their  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress  to  use  their  exer- 
tions to  obtain  a  renewal  of  the  charter 
during  that  session  of  Congress,  with  such 
alterations,  if  any  bo  necessary,  as  may  se- 
cure the  rights  of  the  States. 

Although  Genoi'al  Jackson's  early,  and, 
as  was  charged,  premature  and  continual 
denunciation  of  the  bank,  it  was  insisted. 


mere  intriguer.  Surrounded  as  he  was  at 
Philadelphia,  much  more  at  Washington, 
there  wore  presidential  candidates,  party 
leaders,  and  other  politicians  to  Avhom  the 
proffer  through  Mr.  Livingston  would  hfve 
been  unwelcome  intelligence.  Some  of  his 
surrounding  counsellors  dealt  with  the  bank 
as  only  the  means  of  a  political  end.  Striv- 
ing to  overcome  the  President  and  super- 
sede him,  they  labored  to  bring  juukson 
to  a  dilemma  by  which  he  would  be  either 
degraded  to  submission,  or  driven  to  what 
they  deemed  the  desperate  resort  of  a  veto. 
Others  were  avaricious  and  ambitious  too, 
while  many  looked  only  to  their  jwn  lucra- 
tive ends.  Not  a  few  fiattei-ed  Mr.  Riddle's 
ambition  by  assurances  that  '.he  bank  was 
his  way  to  political  honors — to  the  presi- 
dency of  the  United  States,  which  was  con- 
tinually held  up  to  his  contempia^^ion.   And 


justified  and  required  its  earlier  application 
for  rechartcr,  some  time  before  the  expira- 
tion, yet  all  the  Democratic  supporters  of  it  |  who  is'proof  against  adulation?  which  mis- 
oounselled  delay;  not  to  urge  the  question  j  led  Biddle  and  Jackson,  as  it  did  Napoleon 
till  after  the  presidential  election.  Mr.  Clay  and  Alexander;  by  republican  flattery  more 
and  Mr.  Sergeant,  pro'^jssionally  employed '  captivating  than  regal,  as  it  is  addressed, 
by  the  bank,  were  the  candidates  nominate^   without  impediment   or  interposition,  di- 

'  "    "      ^      rectly  and  personally  to  its  object. 

Notwithstanding,  however,  the  politicians 
and  the  avaricious,  the  bill,  as  it  passed  both 
Houses,  showed  that  Mr.  Biddle  yielded,  con  • 
trary  to  the  wishes  of  both  those  classes,  to 
the  supposed  predilections  of  General  Jack- 
son. No  note  under  §50,  unless  on  the  face 
of  it  payable  where  issued;  power  expressly 
reserved  to  Congress  to  prohibit,  in  1830, 
all  notes  under  $20 ;  no  more  small  checks 
or  drafts ;  every  branch  to  receive  notes  of 
any  other  branch  in  payment  of  balances 


against  General  Jackson  and  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren; which  proved  a  provoking  circum- 
stance, when  forbearance  would  nave  been 
a  groat  virtue,  and  inaction,  probably,  more 
masterly  than  any  movement. 

To  the  last  Mr.  Biddle  was  strongly  ad- 
vised not  to  press  the  recharter  when  it  was 
done.  Mr.  Livingston,  Secretary  of  State, 
Mr.  McLane,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and, 
I  believe.  General  Cass,  Secretary  of  War, 
as  well  as  Mr.  Barry,  Postmaster  General, 
General  Smith,  John  Forsyth,  Mr.  Wilkins, 


[1832, 

mill  Soiiators, 
lio  llcpulilican 
nk,  cdiinsfllod 
lavo  time,  and 
oasoning  -with 
.fc  luirry  him. 
n.  Let  liini  bo 
j-or,  of  a  bank, 
stant  in  bolief 
iliatcd  and  not 
licftain  would 
e  toi'ms.  Tlv: 
T,  -was  the  only 
3  bank.  From 
here  he  served 
jouncil,  where, 
:  proclamation 
jivin;;ston  en- 
Into  hi*-  viands 
IS  safely  dcpo- 
ist — oflenn};^  to 
my  terms  that 
ilr.  Biddle  waa 
y  of  his  situa- 
lers  whom  he 
ions  followers 
berloss  flatter- 
lot  avaricious; 
lut  not  infatu- 
lys,  bnt  not  a 
1  as  ho  was  at 
b  Washington, 
didatos,  party 
3  to  whom  the 
on  would  hpvc 
.  Some  of  ids 
t  with  the  bank 
al  end,  Striv- 
nt  and  super- 
jring  iiiickson 
ould  be  either 
iriven  to  what 
sort  of  a  veto. 
imbitious  too, 
eir  own  lucra- 
d  Mr.  Biddle's 
'Jio  bank  was 
-to  the  prcsi- 
hich  was  con- 
ipia+ion.  And 
n  ?  which  mis- 
did  Napoleon 
a  flatter}'  more 
is  addressed, 
M'position,  di- 
b.ject. 

the  politicians 
it  passed  both 
lo  yielded,  con- 
osc  classes,  to 
General  Jack- 
ss  on  the  face 
>wer  expressly 
hibit,  in  183G, 
small  checks 
ccivo  notes  of 
it  of  balances 


Chap.  XII.] 


BIDDLE  AT  W 


iSIIINGTOX. 


209 


due  from  State  banks — wore  concessions  of 
circulation  to  the  States,  and  of  coin  to  the 
President's  preference,  limitations  and  de- 
privations of  a  national  bank  clearly  indica- 
tive of  spcrifices  wisely  made  by  Mr.  Biddle 
for  General  Jackson's  expected  acquies- 
cence. On  the  2d  of  June  Colonel  Benton, 
the  most  uncompromising  senatorial  anta^ 
gonist  of  the  rocharter,  said  no  more  than 
"  if  the  bank  is  pressed  now,  Jackson  v'll 
put  it  down,  as  no  did  the  British  army; 
and  government  attempting  to  rectify  its 
usurpations  would  be  sending  Ralph,  the 
apothecary's  boy,  with  a  syringe  to  shiver 
the  rock  of  Gibraltar." 

In  June,  1832,  at  Gadsby's  hotel,  on 
Ponnsylvania  Avenue,  the  great  thorough- 
fare of  Washington,  thel>ank  standard  was 
hoisted  by  Nicholas  Biddle,  in  person,  and 
majorities  of  both  Houses  were  ready,  if  Udt 
all,  to  flock  to  it,  yet  to  vote  as  he  wished. 
The  most  conspicuous,  and  a  majority  of  the 
Senators  attended  his  drawing-room,  par- 
took of  his  entertainments,  as  some  of  them 
had  of  liis  bounties,  counselled  with  him, 
caucused  in  his  apai'tments,  and  did  his 
bidding.  Contrary  to  the  warnings  of  a 
few,  some  of  tliem  disinterested  advisors, 
Mr.  Biddle's  flatterers,  debtors  and  deceiv- 
ers, urged  constant  action,  early  action,  and 
compnlsion.  Of  the  five  liundrcd  bank  of- 
ficers he  so  extravagantly  defended  and  ap- 
plauded, and  the  live  thousand  bank  bor- 
rowers who  thronged  his  ante-chambev, 
there  were  few  but  fomented  his  confiden  je, 
wliich,  misled  as  it  was,  was  never  so  ras'i  as 
theirs,  indicated  by  votes  of  parasite  directo- 
ries, with  the  color  of  by-laws  to  arm  him, 
with  power  transcending  the  Prcsidevit's 
constituted  authority.  The  bank'n  flourish- 
ing rental  of  th.rc-o  miiiions  and  a  half  aj'car, 
^vas  put  at  his  irresponsible  and  clandestine 
disposol.  Twenty-favo  directors  were  molted 
into  one  gigantic  corporation  sole,  in  his 
person,  with  the  revenue  of  a  principality, 
and  more  than  the  power  of  a  monarch,  to 
distribute  as  ho  pleased.  In  the  profit  and 
loss  account,  what  were  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  a  j'ear,  spent  from  three  and  a 
half  millions  ?  a  scarcely  perceptible  sum 
to  lend,  or  giv"  by  discounts,  fees,  or  other 
largesses,  to  those  who  make  and  inter- 
pret laws  in  legislatures  and  in  courts,  create 
and  annul  public  sentiment  in  print.  From 
the  Senate  committee  on  finance,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1834,  Mr.  Tyler,  a  constitutional  op- 
ponent of  any  and  every  national  bank, 
with  his  future  Secretary  of  State,  Mr. 
Webster,  and  others,  members  of  that  com- 
mittee, vindicating  the  moderation,  extolling 
the  wisdom,  and  to  prove  the  purity  of  the 
bank,  reported  that  there  wore  never  more 
than  59,  nor  less  than  44,  debtor  members 
of  Congress  to  the  bank,  whose  loans,  bills, 
and  discounts,  never  exceeded  $238,000. 
"  Loans  of  sums  of  money  could  not  be  re- 
garded," said  that  report,  "  as  likely  so  to 


operate,  as  to  induce  a  member  to  forget 
the  obligation  lie  is  under  to  himself,  his 
country,  and  his  God  I"  Yet  not  long  before 
the  bank  made  an  insolvent  assignment  of 
its  effects,  the  debts  of  one  Senator  to  it 
for  drafts,  discounts,  and  other  advances, 
nniounting  to  one  hundre  and  eleven 
lliiusand  dollars,  were  compiomised  for  a 
conveyancj  of  wild  lands  in  the  West,  of 
no  roalizal.  le  value,  leaving  unsettled  and 
outstanding,  another  debt  of  twenty-eight 
thousand  dollars. 

In  the  Senate,  on  the  8th  and  9th  June, 
L-<32,  Hugh  L.  White,  Isaac  Hill,  and  Colo- 
nel Benton,  intimates  of  the  President,  de- 
livered speeches  against  the  bank.  On  the 
9th,  Mr.  AVillcins  presented  the  Pennsyl- 
vania resolutions  of  instruction  in  its  favor. 
The  })ill  was  then  ordered  to  be  engrossed 
fur  third  reading,  by  25  to  20  votes,  three 
of  its  voters  not  present  at  the  moment. 

RcneAvod  and  earnest  entreaty  was  then 
once  more  addressed  to  Mr.  Biddle,  to  stop, 
and  rest  on  that  success,  and  not  to  venture 
further ;  but  Avith  that  vote  of  the  Senate  to 
indicate  and  influence  public  opinion,  t;» 
pause,  a;ul  wait  for  it  next  year,  witiiout  then 
fci'ing  a  bill  on  the  President.  Nothing  like 
personal  enmity  had  then  occurred  between 
Mr.  Biddle  and  General  Jackson.  At  the 
beginning  of  that  session,  on  the  30th  De- 
cember, 1831,  General  Jackson  had  nomi- 
nated Mr.  Biddle,  as  theretofore,  one  of  the 
government  directors,  all  of  whom  voted  for 
him  as  president  of  the  bank.  The  boasted 
exchanges,  large  circulation,  profitable  divi- 
dends, great  accommodation  to  govern- 
ment, Mr.  Biddle's  pleasing  manners,  and 
avowed  discountenance  of  party  prefer- 
ences, all  recommended  the  institution. 
But  he  would  not,  probably  could  not,  stop 
then.  lie  had  been  thi-eatened  Avith  oppo- 
sition from  the  party  then  his  chief  reliance, 
unless  he  went  on.  Another  bank  of  tlio 
United  States  might  be  chartered  instead 
of  that  at  Philadelphia,  and  he  was  assured 
that  thei'e  was  no  danger  of  the  threatened 
veto.  It  might  be  threatened,  but  never 
would  be  put  in  force.  Jackson  would 
not  dare  that  extremity.  If  he  did,  the 
consequence  would  be  his  inevitable  de- 
feat at  the  polls.  Veto,  or  no  veto,  there- 
foi'c,  the  bank  course  must  bo  onward. 
Mr.  Biddle's  presence  at  Washington 
might  have  offended  ono  less  umbrage- 
ous ti.an  Jackson,  and  looked  like  an 
attempt  to  carry  the  bank  in  spite  of  the 
President,  whoso  intimates  had  mentioned 
the  veto,  and  presses  had  promised  it.  Be- 
yond doubt  the  bill  from  tlie  Senate  would 
pass  the  House  of  Representatives ;  so  that 
everything  depended  on  the  conduct  of  tAvo 
individuals,  Nicholas  Biddle  to  withhold, 
or  Andrew  Jackson  to  reject  the  bill,  and 
neither  hesitated. 

On  the  9th  June,  1832,  Colonel  Wat- 
mough  presented  the  Pennsylvania  Logis- 


'ite-' 


fmr 

]:/''%%. 

mB 

wiM 

-ITi 


0 


VETO. 


[183 


I/':  I 


.'''.•■■ii' 


'I  i 


I'll 


liitJvo  oxpcctations  to  the  ITouso  of  Repre- 
sentatives, with  all  the  weight  of  that  trans- 
I'ondont  thing,  a  Rtato,  clothed  in  the  im- 
ri(  ising  forma  of  conHtituted  authorities ;  the 
Speaker  of  the  Senate  and  governor,  au- 
thentien'ing  the  document  both  deniooratio. 
On  the  lltli  Juno,  1832,  Monday,  th*'  i):mk 
Iji'.l  was  presented  to  the  House  as  if  iia^sod 
t].'^  Senate  the  preceding  Saturday.  The  in 
tor  vening  Sabbath,  with  all  its  oppo/tunj(i..-. 
of  vvHoction,  and  concert,  made  no  il)ang<.'. 
On  M\e  12th  Juno,  ^Ir.  M.^uffio  mo^.m  it- 
reference  to  Hie  committ' !•  of  tho  whoic 
Hon ;ie  on  the  state  'ft  he  Unii  >u ;  which .  .ifter 
varii  o?  skirmisbiiij.';  motions,  svas,  by  tho  ar- 
rival of  t'Velve  o'clm',.  put  out  of  liie  routine 
f,ir  that  'lay.  On  :.].<:  l3th  June,  Mr.,  now 
Judj^o  "Wayne  of  tho  Supr-^me  Court,  witti- 
drow  his  pending  motidu  ti^  p<iHt|ioiic  the 
consideraH  n  of  the  bili  to  t)io  fir,-t  Monday 
of  July,  and  Mr.  McDuffu;,  vUhdiawiiJ^, 
likewise,  his  motion,  to  rcf  r  it  ii  tho  ct.uii- 
mittcc  of  t!io  whole,  whicli  b^ft  iti^  re?iuU>' 
to  tb.ij  ordinary  accidents  and  delays  of 
logisiation,  substituted  and  carried,  with- 
out siu-ious  opposition,  a  motion  to  make  it 
*bo  special  order  for  Mondav,  the  18th 
thine,  which  gave  it  profoi'ence  in  the  order 
if  business.  But  it  was  not  lonsidcred 
till  the  30th  June,  when  Mr.  Clnyton  mov- 
ed to  commit  it  to  the  commitio.?  of  the 
whole.  On  that  day,  except  a  nation  by 
Mr.  McDuffie,  to  retain  the  established 
branches,  nothing  beyond  some  Cdmmon 
movements  of  legislative  tactics,  took  [dace. 
On  tho  2d  July,  propositions  to  tax  tho 
branches,  and  the  foreign  stockholders,  and 
to  limit  the  interest  on  discounts,  some  of 
which  were  within  three  or  four  votes  of 
being  carried,  were  all  rejected,  and  Mr. 
McDuffio's  amendment  succeeded.  An 
attempt  to  close  further  controversy  by  the 

frevious  question  failed.  Next  day,  July  3d, 
832,  tho  previous  question  was  at  length 
carried,  96  to  82,  on  motion  of  Gen.  Henry 
A.  S.  Dearborn,  son  of  tho  General  of  that 
name,  of  the  war  of  1812.  Engrossing  the 
amendments,  and  reading  the  bill  a  third 
time,  were  carried,  lOG  to  84.  So  strong 
and  eager  for  a  bank  were  more  than  tho 
avowed  majority  that  the  order  of  business 
was  suspended,  so  as  to  authorize  reading 
the  bill  a  third  time  that  day,  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds,  124  to  01.  The  previous  question 
was  then  again  carried  on  General  Dear- 
born's motion,  and  tho  bill  was  passed  by 
a  majority  of  22  votes,  107  to  85.  On  the 
same  day,  3d  July,  1832,  the  Senate,  on 
Mr.  Dallas'  motion,  without  delay,  or  di- 
vision, concurred  in  the  House  amendment 
respecting  branches.  On  tho  4th  July,  the 
bill  was  reported  as  enrolled,  and  on  the 
Cth,  that  it  had  been  presented  to  the  Presi- 
dent for  approval.  All  the  Pennsylvania 
members  present  in  both  Houses,  voted 
for  tho  bank,  except  one,  who  hanged  him- 
self afterwards.     Larg3  numbers  of  the 


Jackson  party,  as  it  liad  then  been  called, 
wore  fi.r  the  bank,  with  numerous  prosso'j. 

To  Mr.  Kidille's  personal  superintendonro 
of  tho  paHsajTO  of  the  bill,  tho  Senate  super- 
added,after  it  was  presented  to  the  President 
fur  bis  approval,  another  irritation.  Tlio 
llni-ie  had  )iasscd  a  resolution  for  putting  an 
ead  f(  u  sep-n<n  cf  more  than  seven  montlis 
dura* ion,  l)V  adjournment  on  the  Otii  cf 
July.  As  liie  'jill  was  not  presented  to  tlio 
President  >  ill  ..  >  4lh  of  that  month,  it  was 
.'.id  !i'.,the  pii  ,'it  keep  it  without  roturninj; 
it  tiil  afti>r  (.'/tigress  adjourned.  To  pre- 
vent that,  and  compel  him  either  to  sign  or 
reject  the  bill,  the  House  resolution  for  ad- 
journment, on  tho  9th  July,  after  Mr.  AVob- 
ster  moved  t.-  lay  it  on  tho  table,  was 
chr\!^?:il  ^'om  t  lO  9th  to  the  16th,  so  as  to 
give  full  ton  daysof  session,  without  count- 
injr  the  iMindays.  To  this  the  last  of  many 
in  "'ations  Jackson  reposted  the  next  day 
1)y  .s?iiding  his  veto  to  tne  Senate. 

Various,  contradictory,  and  perplexing 
were  the  week's  predictions,  conjectures, 
doubts,  hopes,  notions,  from  tho  4th  to  the 
10th,  whether  the  bill  would  be  a)iproved  or 
rejected.  Public  journals  of  all  parties  hail 
taken  sides  on  the  question  ;  liefore  the  bill 
passed  Congress  many  insisted  that 
would  be  approved,  others  that  it  would  be 
rejected.  Did  Jackson  weigh  both  sides 
as  Washington  had  done  in  1791  ?  '.fo  cer- 
tainly did  not  require  written  opinions  from 
any  of  his  constitutional  advisers.  Did  he 
yield  to  counsel  and  to  circumstances  like 
Madison  in  1815-16? 

Upon  Jackson's  re-election  or  defoat  both 

rolitical  parties  put  the  fate  of  tho  bank. 
lis  hostility  to  it  was  avowed,  his  \yant  of 
confidence  in  Congress  to  restrain  or  not 
recharter  it,  nay,  his  distrust  of  tho  federal 
judiciary  by  legal  proceedings  to  repeal  or 
to  punish  it.  He  would  hang  the  ring- 
leaders of  the  nullifiers,  and  wring  tho 
bank's  head  off.  The  Democratic  press  of 
Virginia  and  other  places  invoked  the  veto 
as  the  only  safeguard  against  a  bank  be- 
come what  Hamilton  denominated  it,  a 
f/reat  political  engine.  But  in  Mr.  Adams' 
felicitous  application  of  the  language  of 
Hero  in  "  Much  Ado  about  Nothing," 
Nicholas  Biddle  took  Hamilton's  definition 
only  to  "  spell  him  backward."  All  its 
millions  were  said  to  be  lavished  to  conquer 
recharter,  to  carry  it  by  torture.  AVhether 
the  twenty-eight  millions  of  increase  in  six- 
teen months,  from  forty-two  millions  of  loans 
in  January  1831,  to  seventy  millions  in  May 
1832,  of  which  Jackson  accused  the  bank, 
could  be  reduced,  as  the  bank  contended,  to 
eighteen  millions,  and  that  increase  ex- 
plained by  sufficient  reasons  for  such  ex- 
pansion ;  whether  expansion  and  contraction 
in  frightful  and  tormenting  round,  as  Mr. 
Cambreleng  and  other  adversaries  imputed ; 
whether  the  suhsidixed  press,  which  Mr. 
Adams  vindicated  as  parcel  of  its  hallowed 


[1802. 

■^n  1)Oon  cfillod, 
morons  prossoH. 
uperintL'ndciioo 
n  Sonatt'  snpcr- 

rritiition.  The 
inforputtinjiiin 
n  scvon  infiiitli!< 
on  tlio  9th  of 
n'escntcd  to  tlio 
t  moiitli,  it  Viis 
thout  returniii;:; 
mod.  To  prr- 
ithor  to  sign  or 
solution  for  nd- 
aftor  Jlr.  AVob- 
tho  tablo,  was 
c  IGtli,  so  as  to 
,  without  count- 
he  last  of  many 
pel  the  next  day 
lenato. 

md  perplexing 
IS,  conjectures, 
I  the  4th  to  tlio 
he  a)iproved  or 
"all  parties  had 
;  before  the  bill 
isisted  that 
hat  it  would  be 
igh  both  sides 
1791?  'foccr- 
n  opinions  from 
visers.  Did  he 
unistanccs  like 

1  or  de Coat  both 

e  of  the  bank. 

ed,  his  want  of 

restrain  or  not 

of  the  federal 

gs  to  repeal  or 

lang  tiio  ring- 

md  wring  the 

cratic  press  of 

voked  the  veto 

St  a  bank  be- 

)ininated   it,  a 

n  Mr.  Adams' 

e  language  of 

ut    Nothing," 

n's  definition 

ard."     All  its 

hed  to  conquer 

ire.     Whether 

icreasc  in  six- 

illions  of  loans 

lillions  in  May 

sed  the  bank, 

contended,  to 

increase  ex- 

for  such  ex- 

nd  contraction 

round,  as  Mr. 

iries  imputed ; 

which    Mr. 

f  its  hallowed 


Chap.  XII.] 


ARTIES. 
♦  -  - 


271 


freedom  not  to  bo  touched,  and  as  warrant- '  other  means  of  subsistence  and  advance- 
able  in  the  president  of  a  bank  as  the  Pi'c-  j  ment.  More  learned,  are  the  people  of 
sldent  of  the  Union;  whether  those  .and  |  New  England  as  wise  as  the  Swabian  race, 
other  iinpeacluuents  were  well  founded,  I  conteuiptiiously  derided  as  Arncu'iean  IJiko- 
thoy  were  at  any  rate  urged  as  facts  be- '  tians — the  Simon  Snyder  race  of  plodding, 
yond  denial  or  excuse.  Hostilities  were  unspeeulating  (jiernians,  tlio  truest  of  the 
declared  with  extreme  bitterness.  Three  Saxon  descent?  The  only  two  colossal 
years  of  fierce  rose  to  furious  eonflict  be- 1  Anu-rican  forHines  were  amassed  by  plain, 
twcen  the  rival  presidents,  struggling  with  j  uneducated  men,  one  a  Frenchman,  !:?tophcn 
terrible  composure,  the  subdued  rage  ofiGlrard,  the  other  a  (Jerniaii,  John  Jacob 
victory    or    death,    whether    one    bliould  i  Astor,  without  a  drop  of  English  vitality  in 


crush  the  bank,  or  the  other  overthrow 
the  administration.  The  conflicting  mo- 
narchs  ji  popularity  and  of  wealth  raged 
till  the  deposites  were  removed.  Then, 
though  the  masses  did  not  suifer  so  much, 
the  bank  people,  the  tradespeojile,  monej' 
makers,  dealers,  artisans,  s])oculators,  and 
discount  depen<iants,  with  their  numerous 
tribes  of  auxiliary  editors,  lawyers  and 
politicians ;  active  workmen  in  the  busy 
laboratory  of  ephemeral  public  sentiment, 
suffered,  or  thought  and  cried  that  they  all 
suffered,  intensely.  The  periodical  wail  of 
ruin  wont  up  from  cities  to  the  political 
metropolis,  with  hosts  of  hostile  committees 
and  of  alarmed  friends  to  browbeat  or  en- 
treat the  President;  who  mocked  at  the 
ruin,  which,  ho  said,  ought  to  overtake  those 
who  overtraded  on  bon  )\>  ed  capital  in  paper 
money,  and  defied  the  storm  with  imper- 
turbable resolution.  "He  was  sure,"  he 
said,  "of  the  cross  roads.  The  streets  of 
cities  might  swarm  with  bank  myrmidons, 
liis  opponents.  But  the  rural  districts, 
where  the  plough  worked  without  loans, 
and  God  gave  the  increase,  not  bank  direc- 
tors, in  luxurious  towns  made  by  man — the 
yeomanry  would  sustain  him."  His  entire 
confidence  in  the  mass,  and  theirs  in  him 
as  one  of  themselves,  his  sagacious  and 
even  artful  boldness,  if  not  temerity,  his 
innate  and  honest  detestation,  not  of  a  na- 
tional bank,  or  any  bank,  but  of  all  artificial, 
and  more  than  that,  of  all  privileged  ma- 
chinery for  counterfeiting  money,  supplant- 
ing the  good  old  system  of  personal  loans, 
and  individual  credit  by  that  of  bank  cor- 

ftoratc  discounts,  protests  and  prosecutions, 
lis  love  of  coin  as  the  only  currency,  strung 
Ills  iron  nor^Ds  to  immortal  resistance.  The 
country  people,  too,  adhered  to  their  pri- 
mitive methods  of  lucrative  transaction. 
AVhen  what  was  called  scarcity  of  money 
distressed  the  seats  of  commerce,  with  de- 
vouring usury,  money  to  lend  was  plenty, 
at  legal  or  less  than  legal  interest  among 
farmers  and  others  not  hasting  too  fast  to 
be  rich.  Especially  was  that  the  case  in  the 
German  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  inhabited 
by  the  most  frugal  and  thrifty  agriculturists 
on  the  finest  farms  in  America,  of  which 
more  are  transmitted  from  one  generation 
to  another  in  the  same  fiimily  than  in  the 
Eastern  Puritan  regions,  whose  boasted  uni- 
versal but  imperfect  education  makes  many 
ashamed  of  manual  labor,  stimulated  to 


their  veins.  It  was  oflicially  stated  in  Con- 
gress, as  a  reason  for  a  bankrupt  act,  that 
ofRcial  ascortaiuinont  gives  9')  failures  out 
of  every  100  mercantile  enterprises  in  the 
United  States.  Why?  Is  it  because  the  new 
Englishman  is  an  exaggeration  of  the  old, 
with  greater  licentiousiu  s  of  paper  money 
superadded  to  the  English  loose  currency ; 
more  liberty,  but  liberty  fatal  to  eijuality, 
by  incorporated  privileged  classes,  IbmenV 
ing  excess  and  perverting  trade  to  gam- 
bling. 

Besides  immediate  and  extrinsic  mo- 
tives, the  veto  was  preceded  by  political 
occurrences  and  party  conil)inations,  in 
all  of  which  the  bank,  through  the  great 
body  of  its  advocates,  openly  took  part. 
Some  of  them  declared  that  its  error  con- 
sisted in  doing  indirectly  and  sparingly 
what  would  have  been  more  effectual  if 
avowed,  and  openly  carried  out  to  the 
uttermost  of  its  vast  means  of  influence. 
On  the  4th  July,  1S32,  the  usual  boisterous 
notes  of  conflict  were  uttered  in  the  Satur- 
nalian  quodlibets  of  politicians  unavoidably, 
however  undeservedly,  influential  with  the 
people,  heralding  preparations  for  the  sum- 
mer and  autumnal  campaign  to  decide 
whether  Jackson  or  the  bank  should  rule. 
Angry  correspondence  between  the  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President  had  estranged 
them,  embittered  by  nullification.  Among 
the  interminable  fragments  of  partj-,  a  mys- 
tic and  sentimental  anti-masonic  modifica- 
tion had  arisen ;  and  many  national  exigen- 
cies to  excite  a  people  fond  of  commotion, 
and  their  chief  magistrate  restless  without 
exploit.  The  Maysville  road  veto,  western 
river  and  harbor  controversy,  the  King  of 
Holland's  unfounded  compromise  of  the 
Maine  boundary,  and  resilient  jMadawaska 
hostilities,  the  Georgia  Cherokee  nullifica- 
tion, removal  of  the  Indians  beyond  the  ^lis- 
sissippi.  Black  Hawk  war,  Florida  troubles, 
Falkland  island  and  Sumatra  naval  attacks, 
proposed  distribution  of  the  public  lands, 
treaties  of  amity  with  Turkey  and  Mexico,  of 
indemnity  from  Franco  and  Naples,  wrung 
by  compulsion,  all  furnished  fuel  to  the  fiery 
era  of  bank  contest.  In  September,  1831, 
the  anti-masonic  convention  nominated  their 
presidential  candidates.  In  December  1831, 
the  National  Republican  party  nominate<l 
Henry  Clay,  the  boldest  of  the  bank's  ad- 
vocates, and  of  J.ackson's  antagonists,  by 
whom  excited  antagonism  was  returned, 


\t..W 


■^■H 
.<''."'. 


;'^5M  .I'M 


272 


THREE  PER  CENTS. 


[1834. 


Chap 


I 


I 


111 


for  I'rosldont,  jvnd  of  coiirso  a  ronnsylva- 
iiliin,  John  Sorji^duit,  director,  couiinellor, 
ftgont,  iiitiiuiito  and  immediate  roprescnt- 
ntivo    of    the    liank,    ns     Vice-President. 
The  Loi>;isl;\tuve  of  Pennsylvania  rcnomi- 
ratod   Jackson,   who   was    nominated    bv 
tiic  IVmocratic  National  Convention,  with 
5Ir.  Van  Riiren  as  Vice-President.    A  frac-  [ 
tion  of  tliat  jiai'ty  in  Pennsylvania,  after  | 
waverinji;  between  (jcor<!;o  Mifflin    Dallas,  ' 
the  son,  and  'William  Wilkins,  son-in-law,  \ 
of  Pallas,  anthor  of  the  bank,  settled  on  Mr.  j 
Wilkins,  who,  witli  Jacksor,  received  the  j 
Pennsylvania  thirty  votes. 

Parties  were  marshaled  and  confronted 
on  the  bank  bill  ns  it  passed  tliroup;h  Con-  j 
gress  to  be  vetoed,  llefore  his  election  de- 
nouncing party  as  a  monster,  Jackson  after- ! 
■warvls  forfeitc'd  the  support  of  nearly  all 
those  won  by  that  denunciation,  who  were  ] 
shocked  when  he  declared  the  bank  a  mon-  j 
ster,  and  rallied  party  to  its  overthrow,  j 
Leaders  n^^ed  parties,  which  sometimes 
become  factions,  though  demagogves  are 
seldom  long  public  favorites.  But  the 
people  love  vetoes,  and  admired  lii>  when 
It  was  laid  before  them  in  copious  a^ipeals 
to  their  reason  and  passions.  Jackson's 
confidence  in  them  induced  him  to  think 
that  they  love  also  extensive  appeals  to 
tlieir  judgment;  that  the  illiterate  enjoy 
■state  papers  teeming  with  well  developed 
views.  One  of  them  himself,  ho  sympa- 
thized in  their  sentiments,  and  cordially 
vindicated  what  he  considered  their  rights. 
Taking  his  stand  accordingly,  when  his 
ignorance  and  violence  were  themes  of  half- 
educated  egotists,  their  contempt  made  lit- 
tle impression  on  the  mind,  and  lesson  the 
suffrages  of  the  community,  vhile  complete 
success  at  the  polls  gave  his  arguments  the 
merit  of  predictions,  and  a  volcanic  bankii  g 
system  continually  justified  his  opposition 
to  it. 

Throughout  this  reading  republic  many 
who  live  by  their  wits,  despise  honest  labor,  | 
and  the  toiling  millions.     "With  them  pa- 
triotism is  a  calculation,  yvhile  with  the  com- 
mon people  it  is  an  emotion.  History  writ- 
ton  by  and  for  the  educated,  bestows  its  ho- 
mage on  those  who  despise  the  uninformed,  j 
Yet  glorious  as  it  is  to  do  right,  regardless  of ! 
jvipular  clamor,  and  in  despite  of  it,  histori- 
cal homage  is  likewise  duo  to  those  who  not  | 
only  strip  privilege  of  ita  unjust  advantage,  | 
but  to  liberty,  which  has  long  flourished, 
add  equality  but  little  known.     Jackson's 
whole  life  and  death  taught  the  lesson  which 
Napoleon,  child  and  champion  of  democra- 
cy, was  tortured  to  death  for  disregarding, 
tfiat  the  discernment  and  .attachment  of  the 
iUiterato  are  less  selfish  and  more  reliable 
than  those  of  the  aristocratic. 

On  the  IGth  July,  1832,  Congress  ad- 
journed. Before  the  next  session  began  in 
December,  Jackson  was  re-cloctcd  by  two 
hundred  and  nineteen  votes  to  forty-nine 


for  Clay,  and  Van  Buron,  by  all  the  demo- 
cratic votes,  except  Pennsylvania.  In  tlint 
State,  too,  the  success  was  signal  of  Jack- 
son over  the  bank,  by  the  choice  «>f  large 
majorities  of  his  supnortors.  By  that  jilo- 
beian  victory  firmly  fixed,  ho  chose  to  con- 
sider it  not  only  his  right,  but  duty  ami 
popular  instruction,  his  mission,  to  put  an 
end  to  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
establish  some  other  means  of  fiscal  ojicra- 
tions.  The  issue  had  been  tri^l  and  ik>- 
cided,  ho  thought,  by  his  re-elect. on.  That 
event  was  soon  followed  by  two  exclusively 
banking  transactions  which  fortified  his 
growing  antipathy  to  the  instituti(m,  now 
pronounced  and  carried  into  destructive  ac- 
tion. In  the  affairs  of  the  three  per  cent, 
stocks,  and  the  French  draft,  the  bank  gave 
its  antagonists  arguments  for  the  final  and 
fatal  blow  of  withdrawing  tho  public  de- 
positcs.  Concealment  threw  over  tho  stock 
transaction  a  cloud  of  suspicion  ;  detentiou 
of  tho  disputed  damages  on  tho  draft  was 
treated  as  an  act  of  rapacity,  both  illegal, 
the  former  as  confcssea  by  the  bank,  the 
latter  as  ailjudged  by  tho  Supremo  Court  of 
the  United  States. 

Tho  three  per  cent,  stocks  of  tho  United 
States  were  part  of  the  offspring  of  Hamil- 
ton's funding  system,  having  its  pnternity 
at  the  time  and  by  the  measure,  which  ori- 
ginated tho  f.rst  bank  of  the  United  States. 
That  funding  system  was  tho  first  great 
measure  on  which  American  parties  divideil, 
into  those  who  under  Hamilton  clung  to 
English  systeii  of  finance,  and  those  who 
with  ■TefFerson  struck  off  into  a  more  inde- 
pendent course.  Tho  three  per  cents  ^yero 
part  of  one  of  those  fiscal  compromises  so 
frequent  in  English  budgets  since  the  Bank 
of  England  took  root  there.  Tho  sub- 
scribers to  the  public  debt  of  the  United 
States,  consisting  of  foreign  not  quite 
twelve  millions,  domestic  principal  and 
arrears  of  interest  upwards  of  fi)rty  mil- 
lions, and  state  debts  estimated  by  Hamilton 
at  twenty-five  millions,  altogether  nearly 
eighty  millions,  were  funded  by  act  of  Con- 
gress of  the  4th  of  August,  1790.  Among 
his  certificates,  each  subscriber  was  to  re- 
ceive indents  of  interest,  issued  in  payment 
of  interest,  purporting  that  the  United 
States  owed  tho  holder  the  sum  specified, 
bearing  interest  at  three  per  cent.,  payable 
quarterly,  subject  to  reduction  by  payment 
of  the  sum  specified,  whenever  provision 
by  law  should  be  made  for  it.  On  the  1st 
JanuT'y,  1817,  more  than  sixteen  millions 
of  the  three  per  cents  remained  part  of  tho 
ptiblic  debt  of  the  United  States ;  and  it  was 
not  thougl:^  probable  that  it  would  ever  be 
redeemed,  without  undergoing  some  mod'- 
fication  by  act  of  government,  with  consent 
of  tho  holders.  Nearly  seven  millions  wcro 
hold  by  English,  about  eleven  millions  in 
this  countrj'.  This  remnant  of  the  original 
funding  system,  Jackson's  adniinisti'ation 


[1834. 

all  tlio  flenin- 
nia.  Ill  tlmt 
f^nul  of  Jack- 
loico  of  larfro 

By  that  plo- 
clioso  to  con- 
jut  duty  ami 
ion,  to  i)ut  an 
lI  Stat(!s,  and 
'  liseal  oncra- 
;ri'(l  and  do- 
^ci.on.  Tliat 
0  ox(du><iv(>ly 

fortified  liis 
titution,  now 
ostruotivc  ac- 
iroc  por  c'ont. 
ho  bank  pave 
the  final  an(l 
10  public  do- 
)Vor  the  stock 
m ;  dotontion 
lie  draft  vas 

both  illpp;al, 
ho  bank,  tiio 
'onio  Court  of 

^f  the  United 
n;^  of  Ilaniil- 
its  pnternity 
ro,  which  ori- 
'nitcd  States. 
10  first  ffroat 
rtics  divided, 
on  clunp;  to 
id  those  who 
a  more  inde- 
r  cents  were 
promises  so 
ace  the  Bank 
Tho   Hub- 
the  United 
not   quite 
incipal    and 
f  forty  mil- 
by  Hamilton 
thor  nearly 
;  act  of  Con- 
)0.     Among 
r  was  to  re- 
in payment 
the   tlnited 
m  specified, 
nt.,  payable 
by  payment 
)v  provision 
On  the  1st 
en  millions 
part  of  the 
;  and  it  was 
uld  ever  be 
some  mod'- 
•ith  consent 
illions  were 
millions  in 
the  original 
iiinisti'fttion 


CnAP.  XII.] 


THREE  PER  CENTS. 


were  determined  to  extinguish,  together 
witli  all  tho  rest  of  the  debt  of  the  United 
States. 

On  the  24th  March,  1832,  the  day  of  Mr. 
Van  Huron's  royal  feast  at  Windsor,  the 
Acting  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  ^Ir.  As- 
bury  Dickins,  by  a  confidential  letter  to  Mr. 
Biddle,  gave  tho  bank  notice  that  the  means 
of  tiio  treasury  would  1)o  sufficient  to  dis- 
charge one  hali'of  tiie  three  per  cents,  on  the 
first  of  July,  and  that  it  was  proposed  to 
give  public  notice  accordingly  on  tho  first 
of  April.  One  of  Jackson's  passions  was 
that  his  administration  should  accomplish 
what  William  Jjowndes  in  Madison's 
administration  began,  extinguishment  of 
tho  national  de))t,  a  monument  to  public 
faith  by  a  country  audaciously  reproached 
since  for  repudiation  of  de])ts  by  Eng- 
land, whoso  pulilio  debt  often  compro- 
mised, once  for  throe  and  twenty  years 
repudiated,  novor  can  bo  extinguished 
but  by  tho  bloody  sponge  of  revolution. 
Jackson's  incessant  attention  to  the  att'airs 
of  his  administration,  with  an  intelligent 
chief  clerk,  Mr.  Dickins,  made  tho  neces- 
sary arrangements  for  discharging  the 
three  per  cent,  stock.  Tho  Secretary  of  tho 
Treasury,  ]Mr.  McLane,  was  one  of  those 
warning  Mr.  Biddlo  not  to  press  tho  re- 
charter  when  it  was  done  in  18.'}2,  or  pro- 
voke tho  veto.  On  the  IDth  July,  1S32, 
ho  wrote  to  Mr.  Biddlo  that  tho  trea- 
sury would  redeem  about  two-thirds  of 
tho  three  per  cents,  on  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber, tho  other  tiiird  on  the  first  of  Janu- 
ary, and  publish  notice  of  it  on  the  25th 
July.  On  tho  2Sth  July,  18.32,  Mr.  Bid- 
dlo answered,  that  tho  bank  had  taken 
the  necessary  stejs  to  obtain  tho  control 
of  a  considerable  ^lortion  of  those  certifi- 
cates, and  would  c!ieorfully  employ  it  in 
such  manner  as  might  best  suit  the  con- 
venience of  government.  But  those  ne- 
cessary steps  were  kept  secret,  and  when 
divulged,  confessed  to  bo  illegal.  On  tho 
18th  July,  1832,  immediately  after  the  veto. 
General  Thomas  Cadwalader,  "  long  a  di- 
rector of  tho  bank,  and  enjoying  its  entire 
confidence,"  was  despatched  from  Philadel- 
phia to  London  to  make  an  arrangement 
with  the  firm  of  Baring,  Brothers  &  Com- 

fiany,  for  poftponing  payment  of  five  mil- 
ions  of  tho  stock  to  bo  redcomod.  Tho  ar- 
rangement he  made  with  them  by  contract 
in  London  the  22d  August,  1832,  was  to 
'^btiyvp  tho  three  per  cent,  stocks  on  tho 
best  terms  that  could  bo  done,"  in  viola- 
tion of  the  bank  charter,  forbidding  its 
purchase  of  the  public  stocks  of  tho  United 
States.  This  was  not  generally  known  till 
by  Baring's  circular  published  hero  the 
12th  October,  1832.  On  tho  15th  of  that 
month,  Mr.  Biddle  wrote  to  Baring,  Bro- 
thers &  Company,  disavowing  tho  pur- 
chase as  illegal,  and  proposing  a  dift'erent 
arrangement.  To  indignant  and  abrupt  vi- 
18 


tuperative sensibility,  like  Je^kson's,  a  com- 
mon texture  of  strong  minds  ii)i|iclled  |py 
strong  passions — tln^  secrosy,  illegality  and 
detection  of  what  he  deemed  an  intrigue, 
excited  doubts  of  tho  bank's  solvencv,  and 
suspicions  of  Mr.  Biddle's  fairness.  It  was, 
Jackson  allc,<ed,  conclusive  proof  of  tho 
inability  of  the  bank  to  refund  the  public 
deposites  to  tho  government,  for  payment  of 
the  pul)lic  debt,  as  bound  to  do.  The  pi'o- 
tences  and  r  I'sropresentations,  ho  declared, 
by  which  it  attempted  to  conceal  tho  true 
cause  from  the  government  and  the  country, 
proved  it  unworthy  of  public  trust.  When 
General  Cadwalader  was  sent  to  England, 
the  public  deposites  in  the  bank  were  nearly 
twelve  millions,  and  thirteen  millions  on  tho 
first  of  October,  when  only  nine  nulli(ms  of 
the  public  debt  wore  to  be  paid.  It  was 
then  only  the  betrayal  of  the  bank's  shifts 
by  the  appearance  of  Baring's  circular  of 
tho  12th  October,  that  forced  Mr.  Biddle, 
General  Jackson  charged,  three  days  after, 
on  the  15th,  to  disavow  his  clandestine  and 
illegal  contrivance  to  prop  up  tho  tottering 
bank.  On  the  27th  October,  1832,  Mr. 
Biddlo,  in  conversation  Avith  Mr.  Dickins, 
explained  this  business,  and  by  his  request 
in  a  letter  to  tho  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
Mr.  McLane.  But  by  his  reply  of  tho  olsfc 
October,  1832,  requiring  further  informa- 
tion, it  was  plain  that  tho  Secretary  was 
not  satisfied,  as  soon  was  distinctly  and 
officially  manifested.  Early  in  July,  1832, 
the  Asiatic  Cholera  appeared  in  America, 
beginning  at  tjuobec,  and  traversed  many 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Tho  ravages 
of  that  pestilence  were  pleaded  for  the 
))ank,  as  threatening  tho  pccuniaiy  af- 
fairs of  the  country  with  great  confusion, 
and,  added  Mr.  Biddle,  threatening  "if  it 
continued,  to  press  with  peculiar  force  on 
the  public  revenue,  more  especially,  as  tho 
demand  on  account  of  tho  foreign  holders 
of  three  per  cents,  on  the  first  of  October,  at 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  alone,  would 
have  exceeded  five  millions  of  dollars."  To 
Jackson's  mind  this  was  moi'o  pretext. 

Negotiations  involving  millions  at  Lon- 
don were  not  calculated  to  check  or  dimin- 
ish tho  established  animosity  between  the 
bank  and  the  government  of  tho  United 
States,  when  an  occurrence  at  Paris  ren- 
dered the  French  governmeiit  almost  a  party 
to  the  contest,  of  which  the  whole  mercantile 
world,  European  and  Asiatic,  wore  specta- 
tors, many  of  them  interested  in  it.  Nicho- 
las Biddle's  name  became  familiar  evcrj-- 
whore,  more  so  thanthatof  any  other  living 
American,  not  excepting  Andrew  Jackson. 
Eight  millions  of  the  stock  of  tho  bank  of 
tho  United  States  were  owned  in  foreign 
countries,  mostly  England.  That  immenso 
dictator  of  public  sentiment,  American, 
French  and  German,  besides  English,  tho 
London  Times,  interfered  in  the  bank  quar- 
rel, to  declare  it  "  an  institution  founded  on 


ifi't*'^ 


i  ■  'f 


274 


FRENCH  DRAFT. 


[18;]; 


Correct  pvinr;i|il('S, which  aiilo«l  commtTco  to 
u  i/nttlcr  extent  than  (tu;/  ionic  in  the  known 
AVorM."  On  the  other  liand,  joahjuHV  of  fo- 
rui^^u  intcroMt  luul  nilluonci)  lij^urcd  lurgoly 
iu  tho  veto.  Niiliility  uiul  hierarchy,  said 
to  bo  anion);  tiio  stociilKjldorn,  wore  fro- 
((uent  topicH  ot'ro))roliation  in  C'onj^rcHH,  and 
did  not  escape  presidential  auinuidvursion. 
Tho  three  per  cent,  detection  and  coutriv- 
unce,  as  denounced  ))y  tho  Ijauk's  enoniies, 
occurred  in  tlio  midst  and  heat  of  tho  pro- 
Bidentiiil  election.  Tiio  affair  of  the  Fronch 
draft  Idllowed  soon  after,  almost  simultane- 
ously with  Jackson's  renewed  espousals  to 
tho  Anioriciin  nation;  whoso  plebeian  judg- 
ment it  was  his  pleasure  to  consider  as  re- 
corded at  tho  polls  of  more  than  a  million 
of  constituents,  that  ho  should  destroy  the 
bunk.  Tlie  doposites  were  to  bo  removed, 
and  both  London  and  Paris  furnished  un- 
expoctid  reasons  for  that  strong  measure  of 
oxeeutive  power. 

The  French  Revolution  of  July,  1830, 
accomplished  in  no  small  degree  by  an 
American  citizen,  La  Fayette,  atlorded  tho 
American  minister  at  Paris,  Mr.  Wm.  C 
Rives,  an  opportunity  which  ho  properly 
laid  hold  ot,  not  only  to  settle  tho  long 
l)onding  demands  reciprocated  by  tho  United 
States  and  France  on  each  other  for  in- 
ilemnities  claimed  over  since  AV'ashing- 
tuu's  jiroclamation  of  neutrality,  in  17'J3, 
infringing  Franklin's  treaty  at  Versailles, 
in  1778,  )jut  for  ameliorating  tho  commor- 
fial  intercourse  and  amicable  relations  be- 
tween the  two  countries,  not  without  much 
reason  to  .sympathize,  but  by  a  aeries  of 
I'atalities  so  long  alienated,  liy  Jlr.  Rivos' 
treaty,  dated  the  4th  of  July,  1831,  Franco 
en^iaged  to  pay  tho  United  States  five 
millions  of  dollars.  Tho  treaty  was  mor- 
tifying to  French  vanity,  and  payment  of 
tho  del  onerous  to  the  parsimonious 
Chamber  >  f  Deputies,  reluctant  to  appro- 
priate for  such  a  pui-pose.  Without  wait- 
ing for  tho  requisite  appropriation,  as  soon 
as  tho  first  instalment  fell  due,  tho  Se- 
cretary of  the  Treasury,  Mr.  McLane,  on 
tho  7tn  of  February,  1833,  drew  for  4,850,- 
GGG  00  francs,  equal  to  §912,050  77,  as  the 
first  iustalmeut,  according  to  tho  treaty,  in- 
cluding interest  on  the  llth  of  February, 
1833,  and  tho  draft  was  purchased  by  the 
Ijank  of  the  United  States,  which  placed  the 
amount  to  the  credit  of  government.  The 
draft  was  in  favor  of  S.  Jaudon,  cashier  of 
tho  bank,  on  Mr.  Ilumann,  tho  French  min- 
ister of  finance.  Presented  at  his  office, 
the  22d  of  March,  1833,  payment  was  re- 
fused, and  the  bill  protested.  On  tho  same 
day,  llottingucr  &  Co.  interposed  and  puid 
it  for  account  of  Mr.  Jaudon,  cashier  of  the 
bank.  On  the  2Gth  of  April,  1833,  the  bank 
received  information  of  the  fate  of  their 
bill ;  and  on  the  13th  of  May,  1833,  claimed 
the  amount  with  damages,  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury.    On  the  IGth  of  May, 


1833,  the  Secretary  repaid  tho  money,  but 
without  tiie  damages,  whiih  ln'  d'/uicd  lu 
unfiiunili'd.  At  th(t  next  M-mi-aiiniial  di- 
vidend, on  till)  7th  of  July,  lM33,  when  tin' 
dividind  di^clared  on  the  Ijimk  sti^ck  uf  tlii! 
United  States,  was  l:<233, 422,  the  bank  with- 
hold $170,041  18,  for  tlie  damages  claimed 
on  tho  jtrotested  bill. 

Mr.  Rives  having  returned  home,  leaving 
only  a  c'  arge    d'atliiires  at  Paris,  and  the 
scttlomen..  of  our  diflieulties  with  Franco, 
requiring  there  a  minister  phsnipotciitiaiy, 
it  was  (leterminod  to  commissiijn  Kdwurd 
Livingston,  and  appoint  Mr.  McJiane  .Se- 
cretary of  State  in  Mr.  Livingston's  stead. 
Rut  these  changes  were  defei-red  till  after 
the  election.     As  soon  as  it  was  ov(M",  on 
the  4th  of  December,  1832,  Mr.  AVm.  J. 
Duane  was  requested  by  Mr.  McLimh!  to 
take    the    Treasury   Department,    as   Mr. 
McLano's    Huccessur,   which    was    fimilly 
dono  on  tho  1st  of  Juiu',  18;>3.     In  August 
following,  Mr.  Livingston  sailed  for  Franco 
on  board  the  frigate  Constitution.    Ry  that 
time,  tho  n-moval  of  the  deposites  from  tiio 
United  States  bank  to  State  banks  had  Ijc- 
como  the  President's  anxious  resolve.    Dal- 
las' United  States   bank  was   much  more 
affiliated  to  government  than  Hamilton's. 
It  was  Mr.  Dallas'  plan,  defeated  by  iNIr. 
Calhoun,  that  the  President  of  the  United 
States   should   nominate  tho   president  of 
tho  bank.     And  going  beyond  Hamilton's 
jilan,  the  second  bank  was  by  charter  t(i 
be  depository  of  the  public  money,  unlt^ss 
tho    Secretary    of    tho    Treasury    should 
otherwise  direct.     'Tho  Attorney -General, 
Mr.  Tauey,  and  Auditor  of  the  Treasury, 
Mr.    Amos    Kendall,    by   Avhoso    talents, 
industry  and  devotion  to  his  cause,  Jack- 
son was   much  aided  and  gratified,  coun- 
tenanced a   change  of  the  public  money 
from   tho  United  States  to  selected  State 
banks,    to  which    the    Secretary   of    the 
Treasury,    Mr.    McLanc,    was    decidedly 
averse,    and    his    successor,    Mr.    Duano, 
also,  unless  oi'dered  by  act  of  Congress. 
In  the  annual  messago  to  Congress,   the 
4th  of  December,  1832,  the  President,  after 
reproachfully  adverting  to  tho  bank  post- 
ponement of  the  throe  per  cents.,  proceeded 
to  say,  that  "  such  measures  as  are  within 
the  roach  of  tho  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
have  been  taken  to  enable  him  to  judge 
whether  the  public  deposites  in  that  insti- 
tution may  be  regarded  as   entirely  safe. 
Tho  subject  is  recommended  to  the  atten- 
tion of  Congress,  with  a  firm  belief  that  it 
is  worthy  of  their  serious  investigation.  An 
inquiry  into  its  transactions  seems  called 
for  by   the  credit  given   throughout    tho 
country  to  many  serious  charges  impeach- 
ing its  character,  and  which,  if  true,  may 
justly  excite  the  apprehension,  that  it  is 
no  longer  a  safe  depository  of  the  money  of 
the  people."  The  Secretary  of  tho  Treasury, 
Mr.  McLane  also,  in  his  annual  report  to 


[1832. 

luoncy,  liiit 
•'  il"ui('il  11,1 
i-aiimml  ili- 

',  Wlicil  till! 
lock  of  till) 

I  milk  witli- 

)nii(,  li'iiviiii^ 
vin,  and  tlu; 
illi  FruiiL'o, 
ilMiti'iitiiiiT, 
ioii  Jvhvani 
ticliiuu;  So- 
tou'H  Htt'ai.l, 
,;J  till  al'tt'i- 

llH    ()V(U%   oil 

Ir.  AViii.  J. 

iMcLaiK!  to 
nt,  UM  Mr. 
was    liiially 

111  Ar.n;u»t 
I  for  Trail  CO 
)ii.  By  that 
tos  from  tlio 
uks  luul  be- 
solvo.  Dul- 
imich  iiKirc' 
Hamilton's, 
ited  by  iMr. 
r  tho  UiiitLMl 
prosiilcnit  of 

llaiuiltoii's 
y  charter  to 
tincy,  iinloss 
iiiry  bliould 
uey-Gouoral, 
10  Treasury, 
oso  talents, 
cause,  Jack- 
itified,  couii- 
iiblio  money 
dectod  State 
tury  of  the 
8  decidedly 
Mr.  Dunne, 
af  Congress, 
ongrcss,  the 
jsidont,  after 
)  bank  post- 
s.,  proceeded 
IS  lire  within 
ho  Treasury, 
lim  to  judge 
in  that  insti- 
ntirely  i-afo. 
to  the  titten- 
belief  that  it 
itigation.  An 
seems  called 
jughout  tho 
;o8  impeach- 
if  true,  may 
n,  that  it  is 
the  money  of 
;hc  Treasury, 
iial  report  to 


CnAP.  Xir.l  DEPOSITES.  27o 

— -*— 
tho  IIousi:  wf  Roprosontativos,  brought  the    tioned  um  the  grounds  of  his  judgni<^nt,  were 
subject  under  i'.nsid(M'atioii.  I  the  very  niciins  to  misleail  it.     .More  than 

Tiie  unlowiu-d  iiianagement  and  asjicetof ,  jn-oljablc,  us  it  is,  that  the  i|epo>itr-t  were 
the  three  jier  cents.,  tugetiier  with  increas-  then  perfectly  safe,  and  the  bank  solvent, 
ing  alienation  between  tiie  K.xecutive  and  j  it  is  nevertludess  juirt  of  the  |i'  rilous  price 
the  bank,  iiiduceil  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasui'\.  .Mr.  McLane,  on  tiie  iKJtli  of 
November,  1S,'')2,  liy  virtue  of  the  charter 
authorizing  him,  ix  o//iriii,  to   inspect  tbo 


general  aecoimts  of  the  bank,  to  empowi-r 
Mr.  Henry  'i'oland,  a  resp(>etaljle  niercbant 
of  I'hiladidpliia,  bug  a  director  of  the  bank, 
and  ail  intimate  friend  (d'(ieneral  .Jack^on, 
to  make  that  inspection.  His  exaininatioii 
was  to  be  as  complete  as  the  law  authorized 
to  ascertain  the  security  of  the  public 
moneys,  and  tiie  Holvenoy  of  the  bank. 
On  the  4th  of  December,  IHM,  Mr.  To- 
lund  reported  that  ho  had  made;  all  the 
investigations  reiinired,  excepting  tho  iif- 
counts  of  private  individuals,  taking  tho 
monthly  statement  of  the  1st  of  November, 
l8o2,  as  the  basis  of  all  his  incjuirios  ;  that 
the  lialiilities  of  the  bank,  exciMMling  some- 
what tliirty-sevon  millions  of  dollars,  wcro 
iirovided  for  by  assets  consideralily  (>xcoed- 
ingseventy-nine  millions,  so  that  neithertho 
socurity  ot  the  jmlilic  money  nor  tho  solvency 
of  the  bank  admitted  of  a  doubt.  And  its 
Western  debts,  to  which  his  attention  was 
particularly  called,  the  examiner  also  report- 
ed as  being  as  safb  as  tho  same  amount  would 
bo  on  tho  Atlantic  frontier.  The  president 
of  the  bank,  in  .anticipation  of  any  executive 
movement,  however,  and  Mith  a  view  to  all 
events,  on  the  9th  November,  1S;;2,  sugg(;sted 
to  the  direiitory  the  propriety  of  taking  into 
consideration,  at  a  full  mooting  of  the  lioard, 
the  present  situation,  course  of  policy  and 
future  operations  of  the  bank.     The  distant 


paid  by  coniiiionwealths  for  such  iiixiiriew, 
that  it  is  iiiipossiljle  to  know  wiiat  their 
condition  is,  which  no  cxaniiimtion  can 
ascertain,  while  discredit  may  ruia  them. 

'I'lie  President's  annual  message  recom- 
mended a  sale  of  tln>  government  stiudis  in 
the  ))ank;  for  whit  h  lairiiose,  on  the  llilhof 
Fidiruary,  Ih'o.'i,  Mr.  I'olff,  from  tiie  commit- 
tee of  ways  and  means  rejiorted  a  bill.  But 
Mr.  Charles  A.  Wickliffe,  taking  the  strong 
ground  of  objecting  to  it,  wIkjii,  by  parlia- 
mentary rule,  a  bill  is  to  be  at  once  rejected 
without  reading,  if  (hat  be  the  sense  of  a  ma- 
jority, tho  previous  (piestion,  di^maiidi.'d  by 
Mr.  Elislia  Whitlesey,  was  sustained,  and 
put  an  end  to  oven  listening  to  the  attempt 
to  s(dl  the  stock,  by  a  majority  of  two  votes, 
ninety-threes  to  ninety-one. 

On  tho  llth  of  December,  1832,  Mr. 
Cambrelcng  moved  for  tho  corrosjiondcnco 
and  documeutH  relative  to  the  arraiigt'inent 
in  Europe  for  postponomont  of  payment  of 
the  three  per  cent,  stocks.  On  the  14th  of 
Decombor,  18o2,  those  documents,  niean- 
tinio  comniunicatod,  together  with  Mr. 
Tolnnd's  report  of  his  examination,  were, 
on  IMr.  Wayne's  motion,  referred  to  tho 
committee  of  ways  and  means,  which  con- 
sisted of  Gulian  C.  Vornlanck,  llalph  J. 
Ingersoll,  John  Gilmore,  Mark  Alexander, 
Richard  II.  Wilde,  Nathan  Gaithors  and 
James  K.  Polk,  On' tho  1st  of  March, 
1833,  Mr.  '\''erplanck,  from  that  eonimittoc, 
to  which  during  tlio  session  had  boon  re- 
ferred sundry  communications  in  relation 


members,  invited  to  Philadelphia  for  that  |  to  tho  agency  of  tho  Lank,  in  the  jiaymont 
purpose,  on  tho  20th  of  Noveinbor,  1832,  of  a  portion  of  the  public  debt,  and  to  tho 
took  these  subjects  into  consideration;  and,  pecuniary  and  financial  state  and  manage- 
on  tho  23d  of  that  month,  by  Manuel  Eyre,  I  mentof  the  bank,  reported  a  resolution  that 
chairmanof  the  committee,  reported  against   tho   government   dcpositcs   might,  in    tho 


any  change  in  tho  general  system  of  its 
operations;  so  that  they  might  bo '.nitinuod 
and  increased,  or  closed  without  hicuuveni- 
eneo  to  the  community. 

Tho  bank  was,  therefore,  still  indisposed 
to  despair,  if  to  doubt,  of  its  continuance, 
notwitlistanding  the  veto.  But  tho  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  was  resolved  on 
depriving  it  of  the  public  doposites ;  and  the 
Secretary  of  tho  Treasury,  Mr.  McLane, 
though  not  agreed  to  that  measure,  was 
dissatisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the  institu- 
tion. The  affair  of  the  three  per  cents.,  and 
other  circumstances,  inclined  him  to  ques- 
tion the  safety  of  the  doposites  and  oven  the 
solvency  of  the  bank,  to  question  which  is 
to  endanger  such  an  institution,  whoso  com- 
mercial surface,  as  presented  to  Mr.  Toland, 
and  by  him  to  the  government,  might  bo  no 
reliance  for  its  real  situation.  The  simpli- 
city of  the  books  and  familiarity  with  bank 
business,  which  Mr.  Toland's  report  men- 


opinion  of  tho  House,  be  safely  continued 
in  that  bank,  Mr.  Polk,  at  tho  same  time, 
from  the  minority  of  tho  committee  report- 
ing adversely.  Next  day,  Mr.  Polk  pre- 
sented an  additional  report,  of  which  ten 
thousand  copies  wcro  ordered  to  be  print- 
ed, and  appended  to  the  report  of  the  ma- 
jority, whose  resolutions  regarding  tho 
safety  of  tho  doposites  in  tho  bank  had 
been  that  day  adopted,  under  tho  previous 
question,  by  ayes  one  hundred  and  nine 
to  nays  forty-six :  of  which  majority  many 
wore  the  President's  personal  and  political 
friends,  but  the  minority  voted  his  deter- 
mination. 

Tho  twenty-second  Congress  ended  with 
the  determination  in  his  mind  fixed  to 
deprive  the  bank  of  tho  dcpositcs  and  to 
prevent  its  re-charter.  Jackson's  want  of 
confidence  in  it  was  undisguised .  His  want 
of  confidence  in  Congress  was  also  avowed ; 
and  that  the  courts  of  justice  could  not  be 


ro 


JACKf^oy.S  JOCRNEY. 


[1833. 


iUU 


Jiiiii;-:''    ■ 

mm 


V:P'( 


"ml 


I'l'lii'il  on  fur  lis  I 'iiKlcniimtinn  (ir  iiiiptit!' i| 
triiil  li_v  jiiiliiiiil  pr(i('i'('iliii;i-,s.  Tlic  cliiirtiT 
Wiis  II  coiitract  wliii'li,  it  wils  p^ciicrully  lic- 
licvcil,  I'lPiiltl  not  lie  r('vtik(^(l;  iiiul  iiiiy  iit- 
ti'llljit  Would  lie  t'lllili*  to  |)lllti^<ll  or  (Hit  a 
KUip  to  ii'ii'iti'd  iiTc^ularitii'.x.  Not  loiij^ 
aftiT,  it  will  said  that  tlin  IKstriut  .lud;;('  of 
Pciiiisylvaiiia,  ImIoim,'  wliom,  as  oin^  of  the 
I'lrciiit  Court  tliiTf,  li'ji;al  i>roi-c'i'din;;s,  if 
iitt(Miu)ti'd,  ruuHt  lici  trii'd,  not  only  i^itor- 
taini'il  l)wt  pulilisiii'd  in  tli<;  ncwspapcrM  an 
nnoiiymous  opinion  as  to  what,  in  iroiitom- 
]dation  of  hiw,  constitutt's  the  treasury  ol' 
till'  I'nitod  States,  wiiitdi  opinion  was  also 
faid  to  he  eontrovert(Ml  in  anotiiei-  news- 
j)aper,  anonynumsly.  liy  the  Soerotary  of 
tlio  Treasury,  ^fr.  Taney,  whos(>  opinion 
was,  that  the  United  States  Treasury  is 
no  where  hut  where  the  Treasurer  of  tho 
I'nited  Slates  thinks  ])roper  to  keep  it, 
vhile  Jndj^e  llopkinson  insisted  that  it  is 
t'\('rywhere  where  pnhlio  nioin-y  is  kept. 

JIeanwhil(\  the  giant  stride  of  American 
yiliysieal  ]iro.sperity  was  inovin;;  onward 
with  developmi-nts  more  prodif^iuus  as 
stimulated  hy  Viank  expansions;  iit  times, 
indeed,  ehecKod  nnd  reeediuf^;  hut  never 
fallinj^  hauk  to  where  its  aseent  hej;an, 
nnd  the  pivernmont  of  tho  United  States 
mostly  lias  tho  advantage  of  this  natural 
pro;!;ression.  The  bank  contended  for  ro- 
clmrter  with  groat  odd«,  against  tho  pros- 
perity of  a  young  nnd  thriving  poo[ile, 
nearly  all  voters,  tho  pojiulnrity  and  ascend- 
nnt  of  their  favoi'ite  loader,  and  the  canker 
of  paper  money  undermining  it. 

Washington  and  JMonroo,  the  two  mili- 
tary Presidents  preceding  Jackson,  and  tho 
only  two  Presidents  re-elected  without  op- 
position, introduced  themselves  personally, 
assuaged  party  spirit,'  and  corroborated 
union,  by  journoya  throughout  tho  United 
States.  The  prepondornnce  of  nntional 
emotion  over  party  altercation  on  such,  as 
on  most  exciting  occasions,  lulls  pnrty, 
oven  whcro  most  inveterate  nnd  predo- 
minnnt,  constraining  nearly  tho  whole 
population  to  render  homage  to  their  own 
representative  in  the  chief  magistracy.  After 
Jackson's   triumphant  re-election,  ho   too 

Sorformed  a  presidential  visitation  to  tho 
forthcrn  and  Eastern  States  and  cities, 
leaving  Washington  for  that  purpose  the 
Cth  Juno  1833.  The  season  was  propitious, 
nature  in  hor  first  and  gayest  summer 
attire,  the  country  teeming  with  flowers 
and  pregnant  with  harvests,  tho  towns 
progressive,  animated,  and  prosperous. 
Jackson,  like  Washington  and  Monroe, 
was  an  excellent  horseman.  Mounted  on 
a  noble  steed,  bareheaded  in  tho  warm 
sunshine,  he  gracefully  saluted  tho  con- 
course cheering  his  progress  through  the 
streets  of  Philadelphia,  the  city  of  the  bank, 
whore  a  large  majority  of  the  inhabitants, 
discontented  with  his  conduct  towards  it, 


itnd  the  city  authoritie<<,  wero  awed  into 
silent  aeijuieMtenee,  wl  ile  tho  mass  of 
|iopiihition  hailed  the  visit  of  a  tiluinpli- 
ant  chief  magistrate.  With  his  tall  form 
and  long  eonntenanei>  standing  erect  in 
tiii>  consecrated  I  tall  «l'  Independence, 
he  rocel\('d  the  thronging  people,  order- 
ly, curious,  each  one  grasping  by  the 
hand  their  first  servant  and  Hohlier.  la 
the  art  of  polite  jiopularity  Jai'kson  was 
also  a  master,  kiml,  and  conimunicutivc 
with  all,  ilistinguishiiig  the  least  iippu- 
renlly  entitled  to  notici^  by  some  encou- 
raging word,  and  saluting  their  seem- 
ing betters  with  tdaborate  urbanity.  In 
what  thi>  t^uaker  foundi>r  Penn  called 
"the  great  town,"  when  it  was  but  a  hum- 
let,  political  liberty  was  promised  by 
peaceable  but  unsubdualile  resistance  to 
clergy,  and  siddiery,  tithes  and  war,  state, 
household  and  }iersonal  ostentation.  Au 
ultramontane  Presbyterian,  not  more  ra- 
dical than  Penn,  fierce,  stern  and  de\(iiit, 
with  warlike  decision  and  popular  pomp, 
was  come  to  enforce  other  doctrines  of  the 
Society  (^f  Friends,  their  repugnance  to 
corporate  power  and  lucrative  rajiacity,  by 
methods  more  arbitrary  and  abrupt,  but 
not  more  infiexilde  or  pronounced. 

Passing  expeditiously  through  the  capital 
of  Now  Jersey,  the  scene  of  Washington's 
most  desperate  campaign  and  Monroe's 
only  military  exploit,  Jackson  landed  in 
the  magnificent  bay  of  New  York,  at  the 
confluence  of  tho  great  North  ami  Kast 
rivers,  whoso  aquatic  superiority  displays 
its  numerous  and  industrious  shipping, 
by  sail  nnd  steam  the  carriers  for  tho 
world,  welcomed  at  New  York,  tho  com- 
mercial emporium  of  America,  as  at  I'hi- 
ladelphia,  tho  ancient  capital,  by  every 
demonstration  of  homage.  At  Boston, 
the  busy  nnd  polished  metropolis  of  New 
England,  his  reception  was,  if  possible, 
still    more    flattering,    for    emulation    of 

? laces  swells  tho  tide  as  it  rolls  on. 
'ho  growl  of  opposition  was  hushed  in 
loud  ncclnmntions  of  respect.  Harvard 
University,  the  first  coilegiato  institution 
of  the  United  States,  pursuant  to  an  ab- 
surd English  usage,  conferred  on  the 
President  tho  Doctorate  of  Laws;  certify- 
ing that  an  illiterate  man,  and  in  the 
opinion  of  nearly  nil  who  nwarded  the 
diploma,  entirely  ignorant  of  the  rudi- 
ments of  law,  was  sufficiently  versed  in 
its  faculty  to  teach  its  sciences.  Wherever 
ho  went  universal  attention,  as  far  as  tho 
horizon  of  his  perception  extended,  hailed 
his  advent  with  gratification:  for  no  mo- 
narch is  more  obnoxious  to  parasite  im- 
posture than  an  American  President,  whom 
all  may  approach  and  flatter.  Tho  crowd 
of  attendants  is  too  dense  for  perception 
that  there  are  also  some  neither  present 
nor  pleased. 


[1^1:1. 
iiucil  into 

O      lllilNH      (if 

a  trhiiii)ili- 
is  tall  liirm 
t'l'i'ct   ill 

ll'|lcll(loiH'(>, 

'I'll',  nrili'i'- 

">K    ''y    till' 

iililicr.     Ill 

ui'kHon  was 

iiniinii'iitivc 

least  njiim- 

Diui'  cncnu. 

Iieir   Mccin- 

iiinit}'.     In 

Vnii    fiillcil 

liiit  a  liain- 

oniiiscil     liy 

8istani'(»  to 

I  war,  state, 

tation.     All 

it  iiiort)  ra- 

aiid  (It'Miiit, 

mlar  jKiinp, 

riiics  lA'  tli(! 

uj^naiii'o    ti» 

rapacity,  'ly 

alinipt,  but 

■o<l. 

li  tlio  fajiital 
'a.Mliinfrtuu's 
I  Monnie's 
I  laiulod  ill 
VTork,  at  tiic 
li  and  Ka^•l; 
ity  displays 
is  sliippiii;:, 
ers  for  the 
k,  the  cdiu- 
,,  as  at  I'lii- 
1,  by  every 
At  Boston, 
oils  of  New 
if  possible, 
iiulatiou  of 
it  rolls  on. 
I  hushed  in 
:.  Harvard 
)  institution 
it  to  an  all- 
red  on  the 
iws;  certifj'- 
and  in  the 
iwarded  the 
if  the  rudi- 
y  versed  in 
,  Wherever 
18  far  as  the 
nded,  hailed 
for  no  mo- 
jiarasitc  im- 
iident,  whom 
The  crowd 
r  perception 
tlier  present 


CUAP.  XII.l 


WILLIAM  J.  DUANK. 


Jaekson,  always  restless  with  some  ruling 
puHsioti,  tliiiikiti;;  iinthiii;;  ilmie  while  niifrht 
remained  to  be  dune,  in  the  midst  of  the 
festivities  iind  ••on;^nitii!atii)ns  (d'  travel  bent 
on  removiii;^  the  pnlilie  deposites  from  the 
United  States  liaiik,  made  that  his  constant 
jiveineditatinn.  'I'lie  new  Seeretarv  of  the 
J'reasnrv,  Mr.  William  d.  Diiane,  inducted 
the  1st  June,  ls;>;t,  was  immediutely  iijipris- 
ed  of  the  I'n'sideiit's  inti^iitioii,  belore  his 
departure,  in  several  free  conversations,  in 
which  ho  says  the  I'residi'iit  expresseil  iip- 
prelieiisions  of  both  ('oii;;ress  and  the 
judiciary,  neither  (d'  whom,  ho  feared, 
eouhl  lie  relied  on  in  controversy  with 
the  bank.  'I'lio  President,  therefore,  (iar- 
nestly  ciiiitemplatcd  timely  measures,  be- 
fore the  first  session  of  the  ne.\t  Coni^ress, 
fiu"  sustainiiif;  the  V(>to,  and,  as  ho  uniform- 
ly insisted,  the  will  of  the  people  expressed 
by  his  re-(dection,  that  the  t'nited  States 
Lank  should  be  deprived  of  its  niischieMnis 
power.  .Jackson  was  res(dved  to  remove  the 
deposites,  and  tiiid  secretaries  to  do  what 
he  was  willin;^  and  proud  to  takci  nil  the 
responsibility  of.  Hi:  Duaiio  detected,  he 
thought,  a  elaiidestine  and  irregular  influ- 
onee,  stigmatized  as  the  kitchen  cabinet, 
embarrassing  to  him  and  disgusting  to  the 
public.  Great  men  are  often  ruled  by  wives, 
children,  servants,  favorites,  mistresses;  all 
easily  made  objects  of  popular  prejudice 
and  liistorical  reproach.  Though  a  man  of 
Jackson's  tempiM'ament  was  readily  influ- 
enced, yet  no  will  was  so  absolute  as  his 
own,  much  more  apt  to  give  than  to  take 
ini))ressions.  Mr.  Diiane's  sensibility  trans- 
pired throughout  the  well-constructed  vo- 
lume, which,  several  years  after  his  remo- 
val, because  he  would  not  remove  the  de- 
posites, h(>  laudalily  dedicated  to  permanent 
public  opinion.  Yet  the  letters  from  .Jack- 
son to  Duaneiii  that  book  are  as  temperate 
and  convincingas  those  from  Duane  to  .Jack- 
son, arguing  the  question  of  removing  the  de- 
posites. Apprising  his  new  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  lieforo  leaving  AVashington,  that 
he  would  write  to  him  from  Boston,  and  send 
him  the  otdnions  of  the  members  of  his  ca- 
binet, Jackson,  on  the  2Cth  June,  1833,  from 
there  dispatched  letters  largely  arguing  the 
question,  and  indicating  his  desire  that  it 
should  be  effected  early  in  the  following 
September.  On  the  12tli  July,  1833,  soon 
after  the  President's  return  to  the  seat  of 
government,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
placed  in  his  hands  a  voluminous  answer, 
dated  the  lOtli  of  that  month,  to  the  Presi- 
dent's also  extensive  letter  of  the  2Gtli 
June,  from  Boston.  They  agreed  to  discon- 
tinue using  the  United  States  Bank  as  fiscal 
agent ;  mutually  regretted  that  Congress  had 
not  taken  the  President's  recommendation 
to  substitute  some  other  than  bank  agency 
for  that  purpose;  and  resolved  that  the 
deposites  should  be  removed.  But  the  Pre- 
sidont  required  their  early  removal,  with- 


"Ut  waiting  the  sanction  or  aetiim  of  Cdn- 
ifress,  iind  furth(!rmore  pliiein;:  tin-  depohite  t 
III  selected  State  banks.  'I'he  Secretary 
questioned  the  safety  or  fitness  of  nil  Statu 
lianks,  und  desir<'d,  for  ^^b!lte^er  might  bo 
done,  pridiminary  ai;t  of  Ccingress. 

The  Secretary  had  the  right  of  removal, 
however  (|Ue«.tiiinabh>  the  policy;  but  pos- 
terior cniiicid(M|  with  prior  (wperience,  to 
confirm  bis  upiiiiun  that  State  banks  ciinnot 
be  siilely  usi'd  either  as  jilaces  id'  depiisito 
or  flsciil  agents  fur  the  I'liited  Sdites.  .\ 
President  shoiihl  not  M'liture  on  that 
experiment  till  ("ongre^s  reguhiteil  the 
proceeding,  however  taught  to  apprehiMid 
irresiilute  and  compromising  proceedings 
by  Congress,  of  which  .Jacksoii's  experience 
in  the  affair  of  the  bank  slmuld  not  have 
determined  his  course;  fur  a  President  has 
no  right  to  ]n'(>siime  that  the  legislnture  will 
do  wrong;  but  is  bmind  to  await  Tioigres- 
siniial  actimi,  if  not  regulation.  His  nfticial 
iniliience  with  Congress  is  verv  persiiiisivi!; 
the  veto  is  a  powerful  arm  ;anil-I:icksnn,  with 
his  personal  popularity,  cmild  hanllv  fail  to 
aci.'omplish  his  laudable  purpose ;  if  lluit  was 
to  dethrone  the  bank,  and  tlie  pajer  iiioin>y 
usurpation  both  together,  and  restnrc  coin, 
or  strictly  convertilde  nieilinm.  'I'lie  Pre- 
sident and  Secretary  harinoiii/.ed  in  their 
monetary  principles ;  but  while  the  latter 
faltered  upon  temporizlngaiid  unavailing  re- 
monstrance, the  latter  plunged  into  a  dc-tri- 
niental,  if  not  illegal  experiment.  Jackson's 
work  would  have  been  admirably  done,  his 
fiscal  renown  would  surjiass  his  military, 
his  ]iorsonal  pojmlarity,  beginning  a  se- 
cond term  of  administration,  was  the  power 
rtliich  might  have  induced  Congress,  and 
the  mass  on  whom  ho  so  constantlv  relied, 
if,  casting  away  all  banks,  and  their  llimsy 
contrivances,  he  had  mounted  at  once  to  the 
[Hire  sources  of  constitutional  currcMicy,  to 
which  he  was  attached,  and  se])arating  go- 
vernment from  banks,  planted  the  treasury 
on  the  rock  of  precious  metals.  Instead  of 
that  obvious  and  simjile  reform,  aft(>r,  on 
the  15tli  July,  personal  comniunion  with  the 
Secretary,  on  the  17th  of  that  month  he  e.v 
jiended  his  force  in  tin  elaborate  reply  to 
the  Secretary's  letter  of  the  10th,  with  no 
view  to  such  revival ;  but  after  some  acri- 
mony on  both  sides  abated,  tliej'  at  last 
agreed  in  a  letter  of  instructions  to  Mr. 
Kendall,  authorized  to  ascertain  what  could 
be  done  with  the  State  banks. 

To  the  Secretary's  alleged  aversion  to 
office,  disgust  at  the  clandestine  influence 
he  soon  detected,  and  reluctance  to  com- 
ply with  the  President's  wish  for  prompt 
and  perilous  action,  were  then  superadded 
his  doubts  of  the  President's  fairness  and 
sincerity,  suspicions  of  his  double  dealing, 
fears  of  the  press,  and  of  his  own  firm- 
ness to  resist  such  conspiracy  of  malign 
evils.  His  letter  to  the  President  of 
the  22d  July,  therefore,  closed  with  the 


J;i.     . 


278 


CABINET  COUNCIL. 


half  threatening  i-icnultim.ito,  to  concur,  or 
retire.  After  many  misji;ivin;;;.s,  however, 
he  submitted  to  the  Prosiilcnt's  uncantlid 
alteration?,  as  he  read  thein,  of  the  contro- 
verted letter  of  instructions  to  Mr.  Kendall, 
delivered  it  to  him,  and  he  went  on  his  ill- 
judged  errand.  The  President  left  the  Se- 
cretary uneasy  at  the  treasury,  to  spend  a 
few da^s  sea-hathing  at tlie  Ripraps.  There, 
on  the  3d  August,  his  impatient  feelings 
vented  themselves  in  a  letter  to  Henry  I). 
Gilpin,  John  T.  Sullivan,  and  Philip  'Wa- 
ger, the  government  directors  at  Pluladel- 
phia,  with  whom  ho  was  in  frequent  and 
confidential  correspondence,  concerning 
alleged  irregularities,  which  he  and  they 
were  busy  in  endeavors  to  detect  from  the 
hooks  and  pi-oceedings  of  the  l)ank.  Whe- 
ther the  undisclosed  influence  was  as  repre- 
hensible as  Mr.  Duane  thought,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  Attorney-General,  Mr.  Ta- 
nej',  and  Auditor,  Mr.  Kendall,  wore  ad- 
vocates for  the  State  banks,  and  3Ir.  Duane 
probably  believed  that  tliej'  were  large 
contributors  to  the  long  letters  by  whicii 
the  President  strove  to  refute  him;  for  it  is 
a  curious  enigma  in  Jackson's  charact(!r, 
that,  uneducated,  as  ho  certainly  was,  his 
written  compositions  arc  copious,  elegant, 
and  masterly,  though  several  of  tliose  dis- 
missed from  his  confidence,  would,  if  they 
could,  have  made  known  his  incapaeitj'  to 
Avrite  what  is  published  as  his,  and  denied 
by  his  antagonists. 

On  the  25th  August,  1833,  the  President 
and  Mr.  Kendall  had  both  returned  to 
Washington.  The  government  newspaper, 
the  Globe,  in  its  editorial  paragraph;-,  no- 
ticed the  dissidouce  between  the  Presi- 
dent and  the  Secretary,  concerning  the 
bank  deposits,  with  strong  approval  of  the 
President's  position.  Mr.  Duane,  whose 
bein,*  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Aurora 
iiows[iaper,  had  recommended  him  to  Jack- 
son's choice,  dreaded  the  overrated  assaults 
of  tlici  press.  On  the  10th  and  17th  Sep- 
temlier,  cabin-^t  meetings  were  held,  at 
which  Jlr.  Kc  tail's  report  was  considered, 
and  the  President  desired  the  opinion  of 
each  member  on  the  removal  of  the  depo- 
sites  from  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  to 
the  State  banks.  The  Secretary  of  State, 
Mr.  JIcLane,  spoke  decidedly  against  it, 
having  before  submitted  his  reasons,  in  a 
paper  of  nearly  one  hundred  pages.  The 
Secretary  of  the  Ti-easury,  Mr.  Duane,  was 
against  it,  \.'ithout  the  prior  sanction  of 
Congress.  The  Secretary  of  War,  General 
Cass,  loft  it  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Trea- 
sury. The  Secretary  of  tlie  Nav}',  Mr. 
Woodbury,  was  for  its  gradual  accomplish- 
ment in  the  course  of  the  next  year.  The 
Attorney-General,  Mr.  Tanoy,  was  always 
for  it,  a)id  tlien  more  than  over.  Next  day, 
the  iSth  September,  1833,  the  President 
read  to  his  cabiuct,  agaiu  con^':^od,  tho 


_  [1833. 

paper  which  has  been  the  subject  of  so 
much  animadversion. 

Mr.  Duane,  asking  leave  to  read  it,  tho 
President  directed  his  Secretary  to  hand 
the  paper  to  him.  After  reading  it,  ho 
inquired  if  he  was  to  understand  tlie  I'rc- 
sident  as  directing  him  to  remove  the  do- 
posites.  Tho  President  said  such  was  his 
desire,  but  on  his  own  responsibility.  At 
the  private  interview  of  the  14th  of  Sep- 
tember, he  had  more  than  hinted  to  the 
head  of  tho  treasury,  that  his  acceptance 
of  another  place  would  be  acceptalile;  with 
whom  all  his  intercourse,  by  that  gentle- 
man's account,  was  kindly.  The  newspa- 
pers reported  the  probability  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury's  translation  to  a  fo- 
reign mission.  On  tho  IDth  of  September, 
1833,  the  President's  private  secretary 
called  and  inquired  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasurj' whether  he  had  come  to  a  deci- 
sion respecting  the  deposites ;  apprising  him 
that  the  President's  would  appear  in  the 
Globe  of  next  day:  to  wiiich  Mr.  Duane 
objected  as  indignity,  and  asked  for  time 
to  })rcpare  his  justification  for  the  public. 
Next  day  the  President's  decision  appeared : 
wlieroupon  Mv.  Duane  wrote,  and  person- 
ally delivered  to  the  President,  a  letter,  with 
twelve  reasons  why  ho  would  neither  re- 
move the  deposites,  nor  retire,  as  intimated 
by  his  previous  letter  of  tho  22d  of  July. 
That  day,  21st  of  September,  1833,  ho  sub- 
mitted no  less  than  four  letters  to  the  Pre- 
sident, who  returned  them  as  ii  admissi- 
ble;  and  liy  a  note,  dated  the  23d  of  that 
month,  notified  him,  that  his  services  as 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  were  no  longer 
required.  A  short  correspondence  between 
Mr.  Duane  and  the  President's  private  se- 
crctarjs  Mv.  A.  J.  Donnalson  ;  conciliatory 
on  the  lattm-'s  part,  complaining  and  sus- 
j)icious  (m  the  former's  ;  closed  Wm.  J.  Du- 
ane's  brief  and  uncomfortalile  sojourn  at 
AV^ashington  as  chief  of  tiic  treasury  de- 
partment. 

Before  Mr.  Duane  was  selected  to  suc- 
ceed ^Ir.  McLano  as  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  Mr.  Kendall  had,  with  much 
force  and  earnestness,  by  written  commu- 
nications to  tho  President  and  Mr.  McLano, 
urged  both  the  p(ditical  and  fiscal  advan- 
tages of  removing  the  public  deposites,  call- 
ed moneys,  l)ui  in  fact  no  more  than  cre- 
dits, from  the  United  States  Hank  to  State 
linnks;  to  which  fatal  misstep  General 
Jackson  yielded.  On  the  IGth  of  March, 
1833,  I\Ir.  Kendall  addressed  tlio  Secre- 
tary of  the  'J'reasury,  Jlr.  McLane,  a  long 
letter  against  the  United  r'tates  Bank; 
and  on  the  18th  of  that  momi'.  another  to 
the  President,  in  answer  to  a  letter  from 
the  President  to  him,  dated  the  Ititli,  in 
whicli  letter  Mr.  Kendall  decried  any  bank 
of  tli(>  United  States,  and  contended  that 
the  Stato  banks  would  better  answer  every 


[1833. 
bject  of  so 
i-eail  it,  the 

I'V    to    llillul 

ilii>K  it,  ho 
id  tlio  ]>ro- 
)ve  the  (lo- 
icli  -was  liis 
ilitv.     At 
kh  of  Sop- 
tod  to  tlio 
ac'coptajico 
taMe;  with 
hat  f!;ontlc- 
ho  nowspa- 
tho  iSeere- 
on  to  a  fo- 
Sopteinher, 
.secretary 
ctary  of  the 
to  a  deci- 
prisinghim 
>ear  in   the 
Mr.  Duane 
'd  for  time 
the  public, 
n  appeared : 
md  person- 
letter,  with 
neither  re- 
is  intimated 
M  of  July. 
p33,  he  sub- 
to  the  Pre- 
ii^adniissi- 
23d  of  that 
services  as 
s  no  longer 
icc  between 
private  so- 
ionciliatory 
g  and  sus- 
Wm.  J.  Du- 
sojourn  at 
reasury  de- 
ed to  snc- 
iry   of   the 
vitli  mncli 
■n  conimu- 
r.  ]\IcLano, 
cal  advan- 
osites,  eall- 
than  cro- 
k  to  State 
p   (ieneral 
of  JIarch, 
;ho    Seere- 
no,  a  long 
OS    Bank ; 
mother  to 
!tter  from 
1  Kith,  in 
any  bank 
nded  tliafc 
wcr  every 


Chap.  XII.] 


MR.  DUANE  DISMISSED. 


279 


purpose.  On  the  24th  of  May,  1833,  Mr. 
Campbell  P.  White,  in  a  letter  from  him- 
self, at  New  York,  forwarded  to  the  Presi- 
dent a  representation  from  forty-three  citi- 
zens of  that  city  and  State,  representing 
the  dangerous  power  of  the  United  States 
Bank,  and  urging  the  removal  of  the  public 
deposites  from  it  to  the  State  banks.  Let- 
ters from  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Silas  Wright 
to  the  President,  advised  delay,  without 
discountenancing  the  removal,  but  suggest- 
ing that  it  ought  not  to  he  done  without 
the  action  of  Congress ;  Avhile  Mr.  Flagg 
made  known  to  the  President  his  opinion 
that  it  should  be  done  at  once,  without  any 
delay  In  that  state  of  the  (juestion,  Mr. 
Duan  was  called  to  succeed  iMr.  McLanc 
in  the  treasury  ;  Mr.  Duane's  sentiments 
on  the  subject  not  known,  though  V)eii(!ved  to 
be  in  accordance  with  those  of  Mr.  McLane, 
whose  suggestion  was  said  to  have  led  to 
Mr.  Duane's  appointment  as  Mr.  McLane's 
successor.  Mr.  Van  Buren's  correspond- 
ence with  Gen.  Jackson  was  of  the  most  un- 
reserved and  friendly  kind;  who  endeavored 
to  temper  his  self-willed  patron's  inflexi- 
bility l\v  caution  and  delay.  The  deposites 
would  proljabh'  not  have  been  removed  till 
Congress  passed  upon  the  suhject,  had  his 
advice  prevailed.  Nor  was  (ieneral  rfack- 
son  I'asli  or  imiirudent,  however  self-willed. 
On  the  Sth  of  Septemlier,  1S33,  he  wrote  to 
a  son  of  Alexander  ITnmilton  for  informa- 
tion respecting  his  management  of  the 
public  deposites  while  he  was  Secretaiy  of 
the  Treasury;  also  to  ascertain  the  cimdi- 
tion  of  th(>  United  States  branch  bank  at 
New  York,  and  Avhether  the  State  banks 
there  would  be  safe  depositories  of  the 
puhlic  fun<ls.  Mr.  James  A.  Hamilton,  on 
the  l()th  of  Septemlier,  1S33,  answered  con- 
fidentially by  enclosing  a  letter  from  AV'il- 
liam  Seaton,  cashier  of  the  State  bank  of 
New  York  in  17'.)2,  to  Alexander  Uaniilton, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  I'lmiplaining 
that  the  Bank  of  New  York  was  drained  of 
specii!  by  the  United  Stat(  s  Bank,  to  re- 
dress which  grievance,  IMr.  Hamilton  state<l 
that  his  father  ordered  souie  of  the  public 
moneys  to  be  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  New 
York." 

Thus  rSeneral  Jackson's  investigation 
was  fortitied  l)y  a  proceilent  of  the  highest 
authority,  not  only  fi>r  the  power,  but  the 
policy  of  ri'moval.  when  nec(issary.  Mr. 
James  Hamiltim  a<ldeil  that  Mr.  (•iillatin's 
opinion  was  that  the  Stat(>  banks  would  fie 
safe  jihices  of  depositc,  which  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton strongly  recommended :  so  that  the 
President  had  the  action  of  Hamilton,  and, 
as  he  was  assur<Ml,  the  jndgnu^nt  of  (ialla- 
tin,  both  of  groat  weight,  that  the  de- 
posites had  been  removed  by  the  Seeretarv 
of  the  'I'riMisury,  and  that  the  State  )iank  is 
a  proper  ]daee  to  which  to  transter  them. 
His  precoiKM'ived  detei'mination  thus  eon- 
firmed,  on  the  IHtli  of  September,  1^33,  ho 


read  to  his   caliinet  the  forcible  and  ani- 
mated argument  then  presented. 

On  the  23d  September,  1833,  General 
•iackson — certainly  without  an  amanuen- 
sis or  advisor,  for  the  original  is  all  in  his 
writing  and  marked  with  his  feelings — 
addressed  a  note  as  follows : — 

"ToR.  G.  Tavey,  Esq.,  Attorney-General 

of  the  United  States  : — 

"  Sir, — Having  informed  William  J.  Du- 
ane, Esq.,  this  morning,  that  I  have  no 
further  iisc  {ov  his  .srn'iccs  as  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury  of  the  United  States,  1  here- 
by appoint  you  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
in  his  stead,  and  hope  you  will  aceejit  the 
same,  and  enter  upon  the  duties  of  said 
office  forthwith,  so  that  no  injury  may  ac- 
crue to  the  public  service. 

"  Please  signify  to  mo  your  acceptance  or 
non-acceptance  of  this  appointment.  I  am, 
Sir,  with  great  respect, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 
"  ANDREW  JACKSON." 

Ei.dorsed  also  in  his  writing: 

"  The  President's  note  to  Mr.  Taney  in- 
forming him  that  Mr.  Duane  is  (Jiswissal, 
and  appointing  him  Secretary  of  th(>  Trea- 
sury United  States,  in  the  room  of  Mr. 
Diiano." 

When   Mr.  Duane  presented  his  fourth 
j  and  last  noto  to  (ieneral  Jackson,  on  the 
!  day  of  his  dismissal,  fatigued  and  disturbed 
I  by  the  oflTorts  and  excitements  of  that  aiix- 
i  ious  day,  the  President  (as  he  styled  him- 
self by  endorsement  on  the  note  to  his  suc- 
[  cesser),  said  to  him,  "Mr.  I)uam\  you  are 
'  fatigued :  you  had  better  go  to  IhmI  and  rest;" 
I  whicii  was  the  farewell  of  a  chiel'  who  was 
'  resolved  on  a  lieutenant  to  execute  his  orders, 
I  and  who  knew  that  Mr.  Taney  iiad  constant- 
!  ly  said  that  it  ouffht  to  be  done!  without  dc- 
'  lay.     Mv.  Van  Buren  was   at    his    elliow, 
'always,  as  he  had  written  from  Albany  to 
(ieneral  Jackson,    ready  to    sustain  what- 
ever course  he  might   take,  as   he  frit  in- 
debted to  Jackson  for  his  great  and  rayiid 
'  fortunes.    Mr,  Kendall,  too,  was  a  constant 
!  counsellor    of    the    Presideiit,    to    whom, 
I  when   apprised    of   his    selectiim    for    tho 
tn'asury  department.  Mr.  Taney  expressed 
Ills    deep    regret.     The    ainbititm    of    \nx 
whole  life    had    been,   ho  said,  a  seat   on 
tlie  bench   of   Mie  Su])iTnie   (Jourt  of   (ho 
I'nited  States,  ,^•ilich  \vould  be  niarrecj  by 
involvement  in  the  trammels  and  politics  of 
the  treasury,  under  a  leader  whom  it  was 
still  more  dangerous  to  displease  tlian  to 
follow.     Tho  future  ;'hief  justice  could  not 
'  foresee,  through  thi^  lowering  iniliroi/lio  of 
that  conjuncture,  that  the  vivifying  ]iluni- 
age  of  .liickson's   broad  i)rotccting    wing, 
warmed  liy  senatorial  spleen,  woiiM  liear 
'  him    upAvard    t'l   the    highest   seat  on    tho 
IkmicIi,  where  he  only  asjiired  to  one  less 
;  elevated.   Numiuated  to  succeed  J  udge  Du- 


280 


llEMOVAL  OF 

-♦- 


■■:* 


'  /<■■: . 


vail  as  an  associate  jutlp;o,  on  his  resigna- 
tion, and  rejected  by  tlie  Senate,  Mr.  Taney 
was  aftcrwavMS  nominated  and  confirmed 
to  the  chief  justiceship  on  the  death  of 
his  illustrious  predecessor  Marshall.  And 
■when  Mr.  Van  Burcn,  inaugurated  as  Pre- 
sident of  the  United  States,  was  sworn  hy 
Chief  Justice  Taney,  in  presence  of  tli  \ 
Senate,  with  Avhat  philosophic  triumjili 
Jackson,  standing  by,  said,  "  there  is  my 
rejected  minister  to  England  sworn  as  Pre- 
sident by  my  rejected  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court !" 

Tliroughout  that  year,  frequent  correspon- 
dence with  the  gdvernment  directors  of  the 
bank,  called  in  the  Scsnatc  Jackson's  spies, 
apprised  him  of  what  they  repn-sented  as 
the   continual  anil  flagrant  inis('<)n(luct  of 
the   other   bank    directors ;    abetting    and  j 
instigating  their  eliief  officer  to    unexam- , 
pled   intin-fereuce,   by  loans  to   newspaper' 
cditiirs,  ])ri)fuse  publications  of  pamphlets  | 
and  other  means,  intlaniing  general  senti-j 
mont  against  the  Executive,  and,  by  secret  I 
appropriation  (tf  large  sums  for  ojieu  do- ! 
nunciation.     Exasperated   liy    unwarrant-' 
able   contest,  flushed   and   immovable   l)y 
success,  tantalized  by  an  adverse  cabinet, 
urged  by  extrinsic  eounsellurs,  exciting  his 
own  tendency  to  high-handed  measures,  be- 1 
sides  the  flatterers  i'hvays  waiting  on  power, 
Jackson  poured  forth  liis  antipathy  to  the  i 
bank,  the  ol)ject  of  whose   attempt  at  re- 
charter,  on  the  eve  of  his  re-election,  was,  ; 
he  said,  to  put  him  to  the  test.     Innnense  ' 
extinision  of  loans  was  to  bring  large  num-  • 
bers  into  the  bank's  power,  and  enlist  con- ! 
du'jtors  of  the  i)ublie  jiress  to  pr.jeure  from  , 
the  people  a  reversal  of  his  decision  liy  ve- ' 
to,  which  was  but  the  rational  serpiel  of  all 
his  prior  messages.     lie  accepted  the  chal- 
leng(!,  the  battle  was  fought  as  offered   by 
the  l)ank,  and  the  peo|)le  had  ordered  him 
to   do,    what   he    would   be    ungrateful  to 
them,  as  well  as  unmindful  of  his  duty,  not 
to  do.     The  b;ink  being  to  end,  the  jiublie 
deposites  nuist,  before  it  expired,  be  in  due  j 
time  carefully  removed  from  it  by  Executive 
power,  always  asscn-ted  and  often  exercised. 
The  Itank  was  faithless  as  a  ))ublie  agent, 
misapplied  jiublic  funds  to  interfere  with 
cleetKjns,  put  its  funds,  including  the  go- 
vernment share,  at  the  disposal  of  its  arro- 
gant jn-esident,  ^o  compel  re-charter.     lie 
opened  a  secret  n(>gotiation  to  delay  pay- 
ment of  the  national  debt,  deceiving,  per- 
sonally   at  AVashington,    the   Secretary  of 
the  Trwvsury,  ami  through   him  the  Presi- 
dent.   For  that  secret  ])urpose,  a  clandes- 
tine agent,  dispatched   to  England,  nuide 
an  arriing(!ment  palpably  illegal ;  disavow- 
ed, Init  not  till  aeciiliMitally  made  known  to 
irovciiunent :  the  wlude  contrivance  bi'tray- 
ing  the   inability  of  the  baidi  to    ]iay  its 
debts.     Sini'C  Congress    resolved  that  thi; 
deposites  were  safe  there,  a  new  st;ite  id' 
things  had  arisen,  which,  if  kuowu  to  the 


DEPOSITES.  [1833. 

House  of  Tleprcsontativos,  would  brin-v 
them  to  a  different  conclusion.  The  bank 
controls,  in  effect  OAvns,  and  without  dis- 
guise supports,  insolvent  presses  to  assail 
the  government.  With  six  millions  of  pub- 
lic deposites,  buying  a  government  bill  on 
France,  for  which  it  was  merely  creditcil, 
n(jt  paid,  the  bank  attempted  to  dishonor 
government  by  demanding  damages  for 
protest  of  the  draft.  Although  the  charter 
decliires  that  not  less  than  seven  ilirectors 
shall  transact  business,  discounts  are  made 
by  a  committee  of  five,  who  never  report 
to  the  board.  The  President  alone  c(niducts 
nearly  all  operations,  many  cd  them  in  se- 
cret, the  directors  by  repeated  resolutions 
having  invested  him  with  the  entire,  un- 
contndlalile,  and  irresjionsible  power,  and 
the  government  directors  being  excluded 
from  all  participatioii  in,  or  knowledge  of, 
Avliat  is  done.  The  ds  of  the  bank  are 
put  at  the  presider.l  rresponsible  control, 
to  hire  writtu's  and  .lowspapers,  to  C(mvert 
the  bank  into  a  vast  electioneiu'ing  machine, 
to  emViroil  the  wliole  country  in  deadly 
feuds,  and  extend  corruption  through  all 
the  raniijications  of  society.  Publications 
ha\e  thus  been  extensively  circulated,  con- 
taining the  grossest  invectives  against  offi- 
cers of  the  govenunent ;  all  are  degraded  who 
resist  its  giaspiu''  am-  wancou  calumnies. 
Torrents  of  abii.M.  are  continually  issuiii;:; 
from  its  reservoir.  With  these  facts  ofli- 
cially  reported  to  him,  the  President  would 
be  an  accomplice,  not  to  pimish  tbi^  guilt 
of  a  liody  thus  taxing  luunan  ingenuity  for 
reasons  t(j  disarm  it.  A  baidi  suli'ereil  thus 
to  aleise  public  money  entrusted  to  it,  must 
entail  its  corru]ition  on  the  community. 
Assuming  the  respimsibility  of  a  measure 
of  ti'anscendent  importance,  and  requiring 
no  member  of  his  cabinet  to  do  what  he  be- 
lieved unlawful  or  unconscientious,  the  Pre- 
sident begged  his  cabinet  to  consider  the 
measure  his  own,  which  he  thus  fervently 
pressed  to  execution. 

Orders  to  transfer  the  public  funds  from 
th(>  United  States  bank  to  State  banks  were; 
given  first  on  the  1st  of  Octolicr,  lS;i.'J,  and 
thereafter,  from  wliich  monuMit  furious  con- 
flict raged  bi^tween  the  bank  and  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

AVhatever  reason  or  right  tlu're  was  for 
the  strong,  harsh  nu'asure  of  diqn-iving  the 
Unite(l  States  bank  of  the  public  funds,  the 
President  and  his  favorite  ailvisersconnuit- 
t"ll  a  pernicious  error  l)y  tr;insferring  to 
State  banks  funds  safer  and  less  lialde  to 
abuse  in  the  Bank  of  the  Unite(l  States  ; 
idunging  them,  as  Mr.  Duane  well  obj(!cted, 
in  the  cliaos  of  State  banks,  none  of  which 
were  able  to  iniiet  their  own  resjiouslljili- 
ties  in  coin.  There  was  in  fact  little  or  no 
actual  removal  of  ileposites,  Ijutby  familiar 
eomniercial  legerdemain  a  mere  transfer  by 
checks  and  orders  of  the  credit  of  one  bank 
to  the  credit  of  several  others,  with  whiyii 


[1833. 

roiild    Ill-ill"' 
TIic  bank 
Avitliout  dis- 
cs to  iijssiiiil 
lions  of  pub- 
nciit  bill  on 
ely  croditca, 
to  di.slioiiur 
Iiiina;;'os    fur 
1  the  rhaitov 
on  (liroctui's 
its  iiro  made 
lovcr  r(>p()i't, 
DHo  conducts 
tlieni  in  se- 
I'csolutions 
entire,   un- 
powo)',  and 
IS  oxcludcd 
liiwlod;;;c  of, 
lie  luudv  ai'o 
iblo  control, 
',  to  convert 
nj;'  niacliinc, 
-'    in   deadly 
tlironj^li   all 
-'nldications 
ulated,  cou- 
aft-aiiist  ofTi- 
'gradcdwho 
calumnies;, 
illy  i.ssuin;f 
0  facts  ofii- 
idtut  would 
sli  tli((  f;,uilt 
iigeiiuity  for 
ulfered  thus 
d  to  it,  must 
coniniuiiitj. 
f  u  niea.sure 
id  ro((uirin^ 
what  he  be- 
jus,  the  I'ro- 
X)nsi(ler  the 
us  fervently 

funds  from 
banks  (vero 
r,  is;;;],  and 

furious  con- 
d  the  Prcsi- 

ere  was  for 
privinj;-  the 
L!  funds,  tho 
erscoinmit- 
isferring  to 
ss  lialjlo  to 
led  States  ; 
dl  objected, 
le  of  which 
^spousibili- 
little  or  no 
by  familiar 
transfer  by 
f  one  bank 
-vitU  whivli 


CUAP.  XII.] 


PROCEEDINGS  IN  CONGRESS. 


mi 


the  fi  .'oral  Executive  had  no  legal  privity. 
The  whole  operation  was  in  paper.  If  tho 
money  had  been  taken  from  the  United 
States  bank  in  specie,  and  deposited,  any- 
where, even  in  State  banks,  as  a  special  de- 
posito  of  coin,  to  tho  credit  of  the  Treasurer 
of  tho  United  States,  Jackson's  misman- 
aged design  might  have  been  accomplished. 
But  that  reform,  worthy  of  his  genius  to 
conceive,  and  of  his  power  and  popularity 
to  execute,  seemed  not  to  lie  thought  of. 
Whether  the  State  banks  ai"o  constitution- 
al, is  debatable  ground,  on  which  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States  and  other 
eminent  personages  have  differed  in  judg- 
ment. But  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  State 
banks,  if  not  contrary  to  the  Constitution, 
as  near  a  thousand  of  them  stole  on  the 
United  States,  are  noxious,  if  not  fatal 
to  tlie  exclusive  control  of  the  currency, 
■which  by  the  Constitution  was  believed  to 
bo  secured  to  the  federal  government. 
The  President  pleaded,  that  as  Congress, 
by  the  charter,  gave  tho  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  power  to  remove  tho  public  funds 
from  the  United  States  bank,  it  must  neces- 
sarily bo  in  the  first  movement  an  execu- 
tive act,  and  ho  regretted  that  Congress 
had  not  thought  proper  to  adopt  his  sug- 
gestions as  to  a  proper  substitute.  But 
he  never  seems  to  have  contemplated  tho 
simple  recurrence  to  first  principles,  by 
which  all  banks  should  be  discarded.  Con- 
gress had  not,  indeed,  by  the  bank  charter 
prescribed  where  depositcs  removed  by  tho 
Secretary  should  bo  put,  but  State  banks 
wore  the  last  jdaco  to  bo  thought  of. 

The  journals  and  proceedings  of  tho  two 
Houses  of  tho  first  session  of  the  twenty-third 
Congress,  from  tho  2d  December,  1833,  to 
the  30th  Juno,  1834.  are  o^rrloaded  with 
vestiges  of  the  bank  ueposite  n'  tlict.  Many 
printed  volumes  of  petitioi.,  ,  memorials, 
reports  and  debates  surfeit  with  materials 
the  narrator  of  a  controversy,  whioh  subse- 
quent events  have  d»!pri\ed  of  much  inte- 
rest. On  the  13th  !><  comber,  the  Speaker 
communicated  to  the  house  of  Represouta- 
tives  the  memorial  of  the  government  di- 
rectors. On  tho  18th  Deoeniber,  Jlr.  Binney 
preseuted  the  memorial  of  the  other  direct- 
ors, urging  their  contract  right  to  retain 
the  deposited  taken  IVom  them,  and  asking 
redress.  On  the  4tli  of  March,  18.34,  Mr. 
Polk,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  ways 
and  moans,  and  Mr.  Binney,  from  a  mi- 
nority of  that  committee,  reported  reso- 
lutions on  tho  sulijeci.  On  tho  4tli  of 
April,  Mr.  Pcdk's  resolutions  wore  carried, 
that  tho  Bank  of  tho  United  States  ought 
not  to  be  reohartered,  by  a  majority  of 
fifty-two  votes  ;  that  tho  public  depositcs 
ought  not  to  bo  restored  to  it,  by  a  m.ijori- 
ty  of  fifteen  votes ;  that  the  State  banks 
ought  to  be  continued  and  further  guarded 
as  places  of  deposite,  by  a  majority  of  twelve 
yytcs;  uud  that  another  select  comuiittec  | 


should  be  appointed  to  examine  tho  bank 
at  Philadelphia,  liy  a  majority  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-throe  votes  ;  who  were  ac- 
cordingly appointed,  viz:  Francis  Thomas, 
Edward  Everett,  Ilonry  A.  Muhlenliurg, 
John  Y.  Mason,  William  W.  Ellsworth, 
Abijah  Mann,  Jr.,  and  Robert  T.  Lyttle. 

On  tho  22d  May,  1834,  by  Mr.  Thomas, 
that  committee  reported  to  the  House,  (Mr. 
Everett  and  3Ir.  Ellsworth  a  minority, 
making  a  contradictory  report,)  that  tho 
bank  refused  to  submit  its  books  and  papers 
to  inspection,  and  its  officers  to  answer  in- 
terrogatories:  whoroforo  ho  called  for  a 
resolution,  by  tho  Speaker's  warrant,  to 
compel  tho  attendance  of  Nicholas  Biddlo 
and  tho  directors,  at  tho  bar  of  tho  House, 
to  answer  for  the  contempt.  On  the  2'Jth 
May,  1834,  Mr.  Adams  moved  resolutions 
that  there  was  no  contempt,  and  that  no 
warrant  should  issue.  On  the  13th  Juno,  tho 
Senate's  joint  resolution  disapproving  tho 
removal  of  tho  depositcs  was,  on  Mr.  Polk's 
motion,  laid  on  the  table  of  the  IIouso  by  a 
majority  of  13  votes.  After  various  motions 
by  several  members  during  tho  session, 
which  need  not  be  particularized,  the  ses- 
sion closed  on  the  30th  Juno,  1834,  without 
action  on  tho  report  of  the  select  committoo 
sent  to  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Polk,  like  Mr. 
Van  Buron,  another  presidential  pupil  of 
Jackson,  successor  of  Mi*.  McDufiic,  as 
chairman  of  tho  committee  of  ways  and 
means,  without  his  genius,  but  indefatiga- 
IjIo,  with  a  clear  mind  and  fixed  purpose, 
maintained  successfully  tho  then  ostablishod 
and  increasing  uncompromising  hostility  to 
any  natimial  bank. 

in  Senate,  on  tho  9th  December  1833, 
Mr.  Bcr.ton  moved  for  direction  to  tho 
Secretary  of  tho  Treasury  to  report  a  state- 
ment of  tho  depositcs  in  the  United  States 
Bank;  which  next  day  was  amended  or^ 
Mr.  Clay's  motion,  and  on  the  11th  De- 
cember adopted  as  amended.  That  day,  on 
Mr.  Clay's  resolution,  the  Senate  called  on 
tho  President  for  a  copy  of  his  cabinet 
paper  of  the  18th  Scptem))er,  which  next 
day  in  terms  of  decided  negation  he  refused. 
On  tho  8th  January  1834,  Colonel  Benton 
moved  to  amend  Mr.  Clay's  resolution,  by 
requiring  Nicholas  Biddlo  to  appear  at  the 
bar  of  the  Senate,  to  bo  examined  on  oath 
touching  the  curtailment  of  tho  debts  of 
the  bank,  and  the  application  of  its  moneys 
to  electioneering  and  political  objects, 
which,  like  all  his  other  motions,  was  over- 
ruled by  largo  majorities.  On  tho  4th 
February  18;>4,  tho  President  denounced,  in 
a  written  mes«ago  to  the  Senate,  tho  United 
States  Bank  for  refusing  to  surrender  tho 
pension  fund,  which  Mr.  John  M.  (^layton, 
by  a  report  of  the  judiciary  committee,  tho 
17th  of  tliat  month,  justified,  denying  tho 
authority  of  tlie  Avar  department  to  ajtpoint 
pension  agents,  wherever  the  United  States 
bank  or   its  bnvachea  >Ycre   established, 


J" 

I  if: 


28d 


DEPOSITE  ACT. 


[1835 


rhicli 


.'■y:y:^s 


■jF!^ 


irt  was  adnptoil  livtlio  Senate  on 
the  Sfltli"  of  May.  1834.  On  the  4th  of 
Foliniary,  18.",4, '  Mr.  Pnindcxtor  moved 
several  resolutions  eoncerninp;  the  hank, 
whieh  were  not  carried.  On  the  Gth  of  that 
month,  on  Mr.  .Southard's  motion,  inquiries 
were  onh^red  as  to  the  State  hanks  selected 
fo'*  the  depositcs ;  and  several  other  reso- 
lutions in  the  course  of  the  session  were 
presented  by  other  Senators  on  other  points 
of  tlii<  suljject.  Finally,  on  the  .WthJune, 
the  last  day  of  the  session,  on  Mr.  South- 
ard's motion,  the  extraordinarj'  authority 
was  conferred  on  the  committee  of  finance, 
consistinp;  of  Mr.  Webster,  Mr.  Tyler,  Mr. 
Ewiuj;,  Mr.  Mann;nm,  and  Mr.  Wilkins,  to 
sit  durinj;  the  recess  on  the  subjects  with 
whieli  they  were  char2;ed  by  the  resolutions 
of  February  Ith  and  May  5th ;  [they  were 
tlien  charf^ed  with  no  subjects  by  any  reso- 
lution ;]  and,  among  other  bank  questions, 
into  th(!  general  conduct  and  management 
of  tlie  bank  since  1832.  Pursuant  to  that 
im]>erfect  resolution  and  authority,  Mr. 
Tyler,  early  in  the  next  session,  18th  De- 
cember 18,l4,  reported  from  that  committee 
an  elaborate  defence  of  the  United  States 
Bank  from  all  the  charges  against  it.  On 
the  2r.th_ December,  1833,  Mi.  Clay  moved 
a  resolution  which  was  refc  red  to  the  com- 
mittee on  finance,  and  af:er  being  occa- 
sionally but  profusely  debrted  till  tlio  28th 
March  1834,  was  then  eai  r'  1  by  28  votes 
to  18,  as  amended,  that  the  secretary  of  the 
Treasury's  reasons  for  ri^Ttuving  the  de- 
positcs were  unsatisfactory  and  insufficient; 
and  by  2()  votes  to  21^,  that  the  President, 
in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  had  as- 
sumed authority  and  powers  not  conferred 
by  the  Tonstitution,  but  in  derogation  of 
both ;  which  resolutions  of  the  Senate  were 
reiected  by  the  House  of  Representatives 
on  the  13th  June  1834. 

On  the  17th  December  1833,  the  Presi- 
dent nominated  Peter  Wager,  Henry  D. 
Oil]iin,  .John  T.  Sullivan,  and  Hugh  McEl- 
derry  directors  of  the  bank  on  the  part  of 
the  government  for  the  j'earl834:  together 
with  .Jamf^s  A.  Ba3'ard,  who  resigned,  after 
being  confirmed  by  the  Senate.  The  four 
other  nominee.^,  after  various  proceedings 
in  Senate,  were  rejected  on  the  27th  Feb- 
ruary 1834.  On  tiio  11th  of  March  1834, 
the  President  re-nominated  them,  with  a 
letter  to  the  Senate,  explaining  why,  and 
stating  that,  if  they  were  not  confirmed,  he 
would  noniinato  no  others.  On  the  1st  of 
May,  183 1,  Mr.  Tyler,  from  the  committee 
of  finance,  reported  arguments  against  con- 
firmation, and  the  nominees  were  again 
rejected  by  increased  majorities.  On  the 
24th  of  June,  1834,  tho  vSenate  punished 
Mr.  Taney  })y  rejecting  his  nomination  as 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  On  the  28th  of 
June,  J  834,  Mr.  Woodlniry  Atas  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  and  eventually, 
Mr.  Taney,  first    nomiuated  in  January 


■d  .Judge  Duvall 


1835,  to  succeed  .judge  J'uvall  as  Associate 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  I'liitod 
States,  was  confirmed  on  Jackson's  nomi- 
nation as  Chief  .Justice. 

Mr.  Van  Buren's  election  in  1835  to  suc- 
ceed President  .Jackson,  compl  ting  the 
bank's  exclusion  from  national  expecta- 
tions, on  the  18th  of  February,  1830,  a  fort- 
night before  General  Jackson  ceased  and 
Mr.  Van  Buren  began  to  govern,  it  was  re- 
chartered  by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
Next  day,  at  Philadelphia,  the  stockhold- 
ers assembled  at  the  bank,  Benjamin 
W.  Crowninshield,  Secretary  of  the  Xavy 
during  tho  latter  part  of  the  Avar  of  1812, 
in  the  chair.  Ficholas  P>iddle  present- 
ed the  charter,  and  recommended  its  ac- 
ceptance as  stronger  than  that  hell  of  the 
United  States.  Mr.  .John  Sergeant  moved 
the  resolutions,  and  expatiated  on  the  haytpy 
auspices  Avhich,  by  Mr.  Biddle's  talents  anil 
virtues,  shone  upon  a  great  institution,  res- 
cued from  destruction  and  revived  to  more 
than  pristine  credit,  usefulness  and  influ- 
ence. Mr.  CroAvninshield  moved,  ]Mr.  Ser- 
geant seconded,  and  it  was  unanimously 
resolved,  that  the  directors  be  requested  to 
cauHO  to  be  prepared  and  presented  to  Nich- 
olas Biddlc,  Esq.,  a  splendid  service  of 
plate,  Avith  suitable  inscriptions,  in  ti)ken 
and  commemoration  of  the  gratitude  of 
the  stockholders  for  his  faithful,  zealous 
and  fearless  devotion  to  their  interests. 
For  sixteen  j^ears  Mr.  Biddlc  said  he  had 
been  connected  Avith  the  l)ank,  for  thirteen 
president,  during  Avhich  period  the  circula- 
tion increased  from  four  to  twenty-five  mil- 
lions ;  and  in  no  country  so  extensive  was 
the  ciirrency  so  sound  as  that  furnished  by 
this  bank.  Of  its  '.nfortunate  partner,  the 
federal  government,  ho  desired  to  speak 
with  forbearanC'.  During  their  strife,  his 
effort  har:  been  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the 
institution,  atid  ho  thought  it  better  that 
the  bank  should  perish  in  tho  struggle  than 
survive  its  independence. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  1830,  Congress,  by 
large  and  eager  majorities  in  both  Houses, 
passed,  and  President  Jackson  approved, 
an  act  to  regulate  the  depositcs  of  the  pub- 
lic moneys  in  State  b.anks.  'J'hat  fatal 
act  superadded  direction  to  deposite  all 
the  surplus  beyond  five  millions  of  dol- 
lars in  the  Treasui-y  of  the  United  States,  on 
tho  first  day  of  January  1837,  Avith  tho 
States  pledging  their  faitli  to  keep  safe  and 
repay  the  said  moneys  from  time  to  time 
whenever  required,  pursuant  to  Avhich  act 
thirty-seven  millions  of  <lollars,  so  called, 
that  is,  credits  for  that  amount,  Avero 
transferred  from  tho  national  Treasury 
to  commonwealths  greedy  of  gain,  and 
who  never  Avill  repay.  By  the  same  net 
Congress  required  the  Secretary  of  tho 
Treasury  to  select  and  employ  s)ieh  State 
banks  fi)r  depositories  of  the  money  of 
the  United  States,  as  redeemed  their  notes 


Chap.  XII-l 


as  Associate 
f  the  I'liitMl 
Hon'n  immi- 

1^35  to  suc- 
pl  unj:;  the 
ill  cxpocta- 
l.Sar,,  a  fort- 
ceasod  ami 
1,  it  was  rc- 
nnsylvania. 
;  stoekliold- 

Boiijamin 
if  tlio  Xavy 
lu-  of  1812, 
I"  pvosent- 
idcfl  its  ac- 
lu"l;l  of  the 
pant  moved 
n  the  ha])py 
tiik'nts  iirul 
itution,  rc?- 
voil  to  more 

and  in  fin- 
ed,  Mr.Sor- 
naiiiinonsly 
■oijuosted  to 
toil  to  Nich- 
service  of 
s,  in  token 
raiitiido  of 
fill,  zealous 
•  interests, 
naid  lie  had 
for  thirteen 
the  eircula- 
ity-fivo  mil- 
tensive  was 
irnished  by 
partner,  the 
d  to  speak 
r  strife,  his 
■iglits  of  the 
better  that 
niggle  than 

)ngross,  by 
th  Houses, 
1  approved, 
of  the  pnb- 
That  fatal 
eposito  all 
ns  of  dol- 
\  States,  on 
,  -with  the 
:>p  safe  and 
no  to  time 
which  act 
so  called, 
>uiit.  wero 
Treasury 
gain,  and 
>  same  act 
try  of  the 
su<'h  8tato 
mimey  of 
their  notes 


JACKSON'S  BANK  PLAX. 


:283 


in    specie  on   demand,    and   issued   none    than  the  bank  destroyed.  reeei\('d  the  o^nc 


for  less  than  five  dollars.  By  that  widest 
and  wildest  of  all  such  di.parlures  from 
the  .sjiirit  of  the  federal  Constitution,  all 
experience  and  the  whole  S''ienee  of  cu.- 
rency,  it  was  imagined  that  a  better  sub- 
stitute than  the  Bank  of  the  United  States 
was  provided  for  those  vital  functions  of 
national  government  for  which  ihe  wise 
organic  act  of  IT.'^O  provided  by  the  estab- 
lishment I  if  the  Treasurj',  and  iVoiu  which 
every  departure  since  has  proved  calami- 
tous, even  by  national  banks,  but  infi- 
nitely more  so  by  >State  banks.  .Jack- 
son's farewell  annual  message  to  Cotigress 
breathed  his  ominous  misgivings.  For  that 
illit(!rate  but  strong-minded  man  of  impulses 
felt  the  ileep  conviction  that  coin  is  the  onlj' 
certain  reliance,  and  that  the  Union  is  tlie 
only  legitimate  author  of  the  circulation. 
In  strong  terms  he  declared  the  consequences 
he  ap]irehendod  when  the  depositct  bill  of 
the  prior  session  received  ids  reluctant  as- 
sent: and  declared  that  the  States  had  been 
advised  unlawfully  to  use  as  a  gift  the  funds 
entrusted  to  them  as  a  loan.  His  regret 
wont  much  further,  for  he  added  that  si'ch 
improbity  was  not  the  worst  result.  The 
State  banks  with  whom  the  money  was  de- 
posited had  proceeded  to  make  loans  of  it, 
by  which  j)ersuasion  bank  charters  were 
multiplied  and  vicious  speculation  encou- 
raged, lieviewing  at  considerable  length 
his  controversy  with  the  bank  and  the  priu- 
ciples  of  circulation,  he  approached  so  near 
the  original  Treasury  svstem,  which  bank 
commotions  and  general  distress  soon  afti'r 
forced  a  return  to,  as  to  vindicate  his  arbi- 
trary edict  called  the  specie  circular,  wisely 
aimed  at  the  western  banks,  by  nniuiring 
payments  in  specie  for  the  public  lands 
sold,  which  from  two  or  three  millions  a 
year  had  swelled  to  the  unwholesome  ex- 
tension of  twenty-four  millions.  Banknotes 
loaned  to  speculators,  getting  their  own 
notes  discounted  by  banks,  were  paid  to  the 
public  receivers,  who  immediately  returned 
them  to  the  banks,  to  be  forthwith  reissued 
to  other  worthless  borrowers.  So  that  go- 
vernment got  nothing  but  inconvertilde 
bank  credit  from  greedy  speculators  for  the 
most  valuable  public  lands,  engrossed  by 
distant,  non-resident  gamblers  inlands  and 
stocks,  often  members  of  Congress,  exidi\d- 
ing  the  hardy  and  honest  pioneers  of  the 
wilderness  from  purchase  or  actual  occupa- 
tion of  the  natiimal  domain. 

It  was  impossible  that  a  man  nf-Tackson's 
simple  liut  superior  instincts  slmuld  be 
bliml  tn  the  fital  and  monstrous  disurgan- 
ization  inflicted  on  national  currency  by 
eight  hundred  State  banks,  to  a  selection  of 
some  of  which  he  had  nevertheless  b(>en 
prevailed  upon  to  commit  the  public  money. 
The  followin.;-  plan,  therefore,  of  a  national 
bank,  which  i^;  nothing  more  than  the  nuudi 
dreaded  Treasury  bank,  a*  more  daugeroua 


tion  whicdi,  in  his  own  hand-writing,  sign(Ml 
with  his  initials,  is  margined  ujniu  the  out- 
line, as  the  fdlliiwing  printed  copy  from  the 
original  indicates. 

"Outlin(>  of  a  sub.'titute  for  the  United 
States  Bank. 

"  The  objections  to  the  present  bank  arc : 

"1.  It  is  unconstitutional. 

"2.  It  is  dangerous  to  liberty. 

"  Yet,  this  bank  renders  important  ser- 
vices to  the  government  an<l  the  country. 

"  It  cheapens  and  facilitates  all  the  fiscal 
operations  of  the  government. 

"  It  tends  to  e((ualize  domestic  exchange, 
and  pr(jduc(  a  S(mnd  and  uniform  currency. 

"A  substitute  for  the  present  liank  is  de- 
sired, which  shall  yield  all  its  benefits  and 
be  obnoxious  to  none  of  its  objections. 

"  Banks  do  two  kinds  of  business. 

"1.  They  discount  n(jtes  and  bills,  for 
which  they  give  their  own  paper. 

"2.  They  deal  in  exchange. 

"  These  two  kinds  of  ))usiness  have  no  ne- 
cessary ciMinectioii.  There  may  be  banks  of 
"xchangeexclusiv(dj-,  and  banks  of  discount 
exclusively.  B<jth  may  be  banks  uf  depo- 
site. 

"The  United  States  maj^  establish  a  bank 
of  exchange  exclusively  based  on  govern- 
ment and  individual  deposites. 

"  This  liank  ina^'  have  branches  wherever 
the  government  may  think  necessary. 

"The}'  may  be  clothed  only  with  the 
power  to  sell  exchange  on  each  other:  and 
required  to  tran.sniit  government  funds 
witlii'ut  charge. 

"They  need  only  have  such  officers  as 
their  duties  recpiire,  checked  by  fre(pient 
and  rigid  inspection.  The  whole  may  be 
phf.'d  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary 
of  th(>  Treasury,  through  a  separate  bureau. 

"  The  present  bank  is  unconstitutional: 

"  1.  Because  it  is  a  corporaticm  which 
Congress  has  no  constitutional  power  to 
establish. 

"2.  Because  it  withdraws  the  business  of 
bank  discounts  and  the  property  of  private 
citizens  from  the  operation  of  State  laws, 
and  particularly  from  the  taxing  poAver  of 
the  States  in  M-iiich  it  is  employed. 

",').  Because  it  purchases  lands  and  other 
real  estate,  within  the  States,  without  their 
consent,  under  an  authority  purporting  to 
be  dei'ived  from  Congress,  when  the  Gene- 
ral Government  itself  possesses  no  such 
constitutional  power. 

"  The  proposed  substitute  would  not  lie  a 
corporation,  but  a  branch  of  the  Treasury 
department ;  it  would  hohl  no  property,  real 
or  )iersonal.  and  would  withdraw  none  from 
the  operation  of  the  State  laws. 

"  The  present  bank  is  dangerous  to  li- 
berty: 

"  1  Because,  in  the  number,  wealth  and 
standing  of  its  officers  and  stockholders,  in 
its  po>yer  to  make  loaug  or  withhold  them, 


m 


^f 


it 


.■,v, ; 


t 


2S4 


JACKSON'S  BANK  PLAN. 


to  cull  oppressively  upon  its  debtors  or  in- 
duli^o  tliem,  build  houses,  rent  lands  and 
houses,  and  make  donations  for  political  or 
other  jiurposos,  it  embodies  a  fearful  influ- 
once,  which  may  be  wiidded  for  the  aj^f^ran- 
dizement  of  a  favorite  individual,  a  particu- 
lar interest,  or  a  separate  party. 

"2.  liecauso  it  concentrates  in  the  hands 
of  a  few  men,  a  power  over  the  money  of 
the  country,  -which  maybe  perverted  to  the 
oppression  of  the  people,  and  in  times  of 
pu^jliu  calamity,  to  the  embarrassment  of 
the  jjjovernment. 

"  .'J.  Because  much  of  its  stock  is  owned 
by  forei;!;ners,  through  the  manaj^ement  of 
which  an  avenue  is  opened  to  a  foreij;'!!  in- 
fluence in  the  most  vital  concerns  of  the 
republic. 

"4.  Because  it  is  always  governed  by  in- 
terest, and  will  ever  support  him  who  sup- 
ports it. 

'•  An  ambitious  or  dlshonost  President 
may  thus  always  unite  all  its  power  and  in- 
lliience  in  his  support,  whih;  an  honest  one 
vho  thwarts  its  views,  will  j  over  fail  to 
encounter  tiie  weight  of  its  opposition. 

"5.  It  weakens  th(.'  States  and  stren;i:thens 
the  Cieneral  (<i)vernment. 

"  The  i)ro]iosod  substitute  would 
have  few  oiHcers,  and  no  stockhold- 
ers, make  no  loans,  and  have  no  debt- 
ors, Ijuild  no  houses,  make  no  <li>na- 


«2i: 
o  - 


_  [1830. 

"The  proposed  substitute  may  charge 
such  a  premium  on  all  exchanges,  exce[itin" 
those  for  the  governiucnt,  as  will  sutlice  to 
pay  its  expenses. 

"It  might  be  made  in  the  same  manner, 
although  not  perhaps  to  the  same  degree, 
to  operate  upon  the  currency.  By  takin" 
the  paper  <jf  such  local  banks  in  the  vicini- 
ty as  pay  specie,  it  would  restrain  over- 
issues and  tend  to  preserve  the  currency  in 
a  sound  state. 

"  The  usual  doposites  of  the  government 
would  bo  an  ample  capital  for  a  bank  of 
exchange.  Independent  of  its  capital,  the 
bank  would  always  have  cash  on  hand 
eijual  to  its  outstanding  bills  of  (>xchang(\ 
But  it  might  not  bo  at  the  right  points,  and 
a  small  capital  would  bo  necessary  to  meet 
unecjual  calls  at  those  points  until  the  etiui- 
librium  could  be  restored. 

"Exchange  worksin  a  circle.  Itis  against 
the  west  in  favor  of  the  east,  against  the 
east  in  favor  of  the  south,  and  against  the 
south  in  favor  of  the  west.     By  constant 

I  interchange  of  information  and  judicious 

I  management,  little  funds  would  be  wanted 
at  eithci'  point,  other  than  those  that  would 

I  be  raised  by  selling  exchange  on  another. 

!  "In  time  of  war,  the  capacities  of  this 
1)ank  might  bo  increased  by  an  act  of  Con- 
"rress. 


"Such  a  bank  would  not  be  unconstitu- 
tions,  and  would  be  entirely  destitute  ■  tional,  nor  dangerous  to  liberty,  and  would 
of  the  influence  which  arises  from  yield  to  the  government  all  the  facilities 
ih(!  hopes,  fears  and  avarice  of  thou- :  afforded  by  the  present  bank.  Further  than 
sands.  It  would  ojipress  no  man,  :  this,  perhaps  theOeneralGovernnunit  ought 
and,  being  part  of  the  government,  not  to  look.  But  its  incidental  advantages 
would  always  aitl  its  operatimis.  h  j  to  tho  country  would  scarcely  be  inferior  to 
would  have  no  stock,  and  could  not  those  afforded  by  the  present  bank,  while 
be  reached  by  foreign  influence.  It  i  it  would  destroy  a  favored  monopoly.'' 
would  afford  less  aid  to  a  dishonest  |      The  annual  report  of  the   Secretary  of 

tho  Treasury,  Jlr.  Woodbury,  in  December, 
ISoO,  exjiatiated  on  tho  nu;rits  of  State 
■  tianks,  though  it  acknowledged  more  than 
a  million  of  d(dlarsof  whathad  accumulated 
as  unavailable  funds  in  the  treasury  from 
worthless  State  bank  notes.  Still,  the  Secrc- 


Presidentthan  the  pr(;sent  liank,  and 
would  never  be  opposed  to  an  honest 


one.' 

"  It  would  strengthen  the  States,  by  leav- 
ing to  their  l)anks  tho  whole  business  of 
discounts  and  tho  furnishing  of  tho  local 
currency.  It  would  strengthen  the  General :  tary  was  willing  to  rely  on  tho  State  banks 
Government  loss  than  the  custom-house,  for  doposites,  exchanges,  pension  agencies, 
imuif:  ^urably  less  than  the  ])ost-offico,  and  and  all  other  ftMleral  duties.  If  the  States 
less  ai.m  the  present  bank  when  it  acts  in  \  would  sill  unite  in  repressing  entirely  the 
concert  with  the  iv  f-ional  authorities.  '  circulation  of  small  notes,  and  add  a  few 

"The  i)roposed  i,i,l)Stitute  would  cheapen  judieious  limitations  to  the  amounts  of  dis- 
and  facilitat .  all  the  fiscal  operations  of  the  counts,  (tin-  former  contrary  to  the  invete- 
government  as  completely  as  the  present  rate  practice  of  most  of  the  fetates,  the  latter 
bank.  |  as  little  to  be  expected  as  that  tho  explosion 

"  It  would,  in  the  same  nmnner,  tend  to  :  of  a  steam  boiler  should  1)c  limited  to  some 
equalize  the  exchange.    Tntil  since  the  last   harmless  extent,)  tho  Seer 'tary,  on  those 


annual  messago  of  the  President,  tho  pre- 
sent bank  charged  a  premium  or  all  ox- 
changes,  except  f<n'  government,  jiublic  offi- 
cers, and  members  of  Congress.  This  prac- 
tice will,  dcnilitless,  be  rc^siimed,  should  that 
bank  be   rechartered.     The  profits  of  the 


impracticable  terms,  was  willing  to  ca})i- 
tulate  tho  English  bank  parlor  indefen- 
sibh?  postulate  of  three  dollars  promissory 
bank  notes  for  one  convertible  in  c(.)in.  For 
confusion  had  not  then  enal)led  adversity 
fc  administer  its  hard  jihilosophy,  by  strokes 


.  m 


exchange  business  heretofore  done,  was  '  of  tremendous  warning,  which  came,  how- 
sufficient,  it  is  believed,  to  pay  all  tho  ex- 1  ever,  with  the  explosion  of  all  the  Imnks 
j>e«ses  of  tho  bank.  ;  within  less  than  six  mouths.    Scarcely  was 


[1830. 
may  oliiir;;(i 

s,  eXOOJltinn; 
ill   sullil'(;  tu 

no  miiiini'v, 
iuiio  <loj;r(,M', 
15.y  taking 
I)  tlio  viu'ini- 
striiii)  ovcr- 
cun-ciii'yin 

government 
■  a  biiiik  of 
capital,  tlio 
1  <>u  hand 
f  I'xeliaiigo. 
lioiiits,  iuul 
ary  tu  meet 
til  the  cqui- 

It  is  against 

a}!;ain.st  the 

ii;:;ainst  tlio 

5y  constant 

judicious 

1)0  -wantod 

that  would 

anotlior. 

tics  of  this 

act  of  Cou- 

unconstitu- 
and  would 
ic  facilities 
urthor  than 
nient  ought 
advantages 
)  inferior  to 
jank,  while 
ij)oly.'' 
(>cretary  of 
December, 
s  of    State 
more  than 
.'cumulated 
asury  fvom 
,  the  Secre- 
itate  banks 
II  agencies, 
the  States 
ntirely  the 
add  a  few 
mts  of  dis- 
the  invcte- 
S  the  latter 
D  explosion 
ed  to  some 
',  on  those 
g  to  capi- 
r   indefen- 
•iroinissory 
coin.   For 
.  adversity 
by  strokes 
■ame,  liovr- 
the  liiinks 
arcelv  was 


ClIAP.  XII.] 


jMr.  Van  Burcn's  administration  in  charge 
of  the  government,  sighing  for  repose  from 
the  commotions  of  Jackson's  agitating 
reign,  than  the  whole  legion  of  State  banks 
stopped  payment  the  0th  of  May,  1837,  and 
demolishecl  in  one  hour  by  one  stroke,  all 
reliance  on  them  as  places  of  safe  public 
dcposite,  much  diminishing  confidence  in 
them  for  keeping  private  funds. 

When  the  United  States  JJank  ceased  to 
be  a  national  institution,  and  became  a  mere 
local  corporation,  with  a  capital  too  large 
for  the  Avhole  United  States,  and  unmanage- 
able as  that  of  a  mere  private  firm,  it  was 
no  better,  but  worse  thereby  than  all  the 
other  State  banks  ;  and  history  of  the  United 
States  need  not  follow  its  decline  and  catas- 
trophe, except  cursorily,  to  rectify  errors  of 
public  opinion  concerning  the  American 
banking  system,  and  the  extraordinary  ind' 


BANK'S  IXSOLVENOY. 
— • — 


285 


few  who  thrive  on  su(di  disaster'! — b_v  uni- 
versal distress.  Su(di  a  manif"'statiiin  was 
tlie  end  of  the  United  States  Bank  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  reputation  of  Nicholas  Biddle  Avas 
magnified  tc  financial  renown.  No  Ameri- 
can ha<l  such  Knropean  repute :  .Jack- 
stm's  was  the  only  one  comparable,  and 
that  far  inferior  to  it.  Flattere(l,  caressed, 
extolled,  idolized  in  America,  Biddle  was 
praised  and  respected  in  Europe,  as  the 
most  sagacious  und  succ(!ssl\il  banker  in 
the  worltl.  (lovernors,  senators,  legislators, 
judges,  clergymen,  ladies,  thronged  his 
Ijank  parlor,  and  by  fulsonii  lulation  cn- 
treateil  his  favors.  His  town  house  and 
his  country  house  were  the  seats  of  (degant 
hospitality,  in  which  he  shone  with  the 
blajidislunents  of  a  polished  gentlenmn, 
amiabl(>,    witty,    liberal;  never    hnrsh    or 


vidual  to  whom  its  fatal  vices  were  imputed  :  |  offensive  to  antagonists  :  but  sjioiled  by  «}•- 
as    though    they   wore    Nicholas    Biddle's    copliants  of  the  highest  rank.    Chambers  of 

commerce,  boards  of  brokers,  and  other 
representatives  of  trading  assoeiaticms — 
cities,   corporations,  and  sovereign  States 


misdemeanors,  not  those  of  all  the  per- 
nicious banks  liy  which  American  currencj% 
finance,  morality,  law,  and  religion,  arc  con- 
tinually debased  and  periodically  disorgan- 
ized. Could  any  partnership  manage  pro- 
fitably thirty  or  forty  millions  of  credit, 
called  capital,  for  the  benefit  of  others  ? 
Without  reference  to  the  extensive  nature 
of  the  trust,  it  must  be  impracticable  to 
emjdoy  such  funds  advantageously ;  and  no 
individual  sagacity  or  probity  could  I'cdeem 
or  explain  the  inevitable  tendency  of  the 
American  State  banking  sj'stem.  From 
lSo7  to  1841,  all  banks  were  liankrupt; 
with  short  fits  of  resuseitation,  keeping  the 
wh(de  communit}-  in  jeopardy.  The  entire 
banking  host,  presidents,  directors,  casliiers, 
and  other  officers,  of  however  fair  character 
and  good  intentions,  fell  under  universal 
and  exaggerated  odium,  with  a  system 
which  no  management  could  render  honest. 
Spontaneous  combuf;tion  of  nearly  a  thou- 
sand privileged  broker  shops  inflicted  on 
public  snfRirance  a  terrible  lesson  ;  null- 
ed suspensicni  at  the  jjcginnin,:;,  and  of 
which  nothing  but  perdition  could  lie  the 
end.  The  follies,  frauds,  and  al)ominations 
of  a  monstrous  system  struck  the  commu- 
nity with  dismay  and  disorder,  without  quite 
striking  the  scales  of  avaricious  credulity'' 
from  their  eyes.  Jackson,  with  immense 
popularity,  mif,ht  have  in  vain  wielded  an 
executive  vigor  beyond  the  law — vetoed 
charters,  and  torn  away  depositos.  Scien- 
tific economy  pleaded  to  no  purpose.  Ex- 
perience taught  no  lesson  by  occasional 
distress.  Paper  money  required  deeper 
and  more  dreadful  inflictions  fin-  even 
its  partial  reform  :  shocking  and  calam- 
itous, universal  and  ruinous  explosion, 
to  rouse  the  country  by  a  catasti'ophe, 
organic  and  inevitable,  so  obvious  as  to 
strike  every  woman  and  child  :  to  make  th 


courtC(  his  supjtort  and  solicited  his  favors. 
The  London  Times,  that  vast  engine  of  not 
only  English,  but  European,  Asiatic,  and 
American  opinion,  pronounced  the  bank  of 
the  Unite<l  States  the  greatest  and  purest 
lianking  institution  i'^  the  world.  The 
governor  of  the  Bank  of  England  declared 
Mr.  Biddle's  lianking  operations  in  cotton 
and  toliacco  eminently  judicion'^*,  honorable 
and  piraiseworthy.  Like  John  Law  and 
Kolicrt  ]\Iorris,  Nicholas  Biddle  involved 
and  hist  his  private  fortune  in  splendid  ex- 
penditures on  the  same  highway  to  ruin 
they  trod  before  him,  to  live  vilified  and 
persecuted,  and  die  insolvent.  His  coun- 
try-seat, Andalusia,  on  the  Pelaware,  was 
magnificently  embellished,  irrigated  at 
princely  outlays  by  artifieial  waters,  anil 
ornamented  with  sumptuous  furniture.  A 
colonnade  on  the  Demvare  front  imitated 
that  of  the  United  States  Bank,  that  the 
throng  of  travellers  from  all  parts  might 
behold  his  copy  of  the  great  original  he  had 
created.  In  mid  career  of  these  delusions,  on 
the  2'Jth  March,  1839,  it  was  unexpectedly 
puldished  that  Mr.  Biddle  had  resigned;  hap- 
py, said  his  letter  of  resignation  to  the  di- 
rectory, to  leave  the  b-ink  surviving  all  its 
conflicts,  in  the  highest  stnto  of  prosperity, 
quietly  pursuing  its  appropriate  business, 
llesolutions  of  the  diiectory  next  day  fol- 
lowed, eulogizing  his  i.  nrivalled  finance,  in 
all  respects  deserving  riie  gratitude  of  the 
stockholders,  and  resjiect  of  the  whole 
country. 

But  soon  tribulation  told  the  truth  ;  the 
whole  sj-stcm  was  rotten,  and  the  liank 
ruined;  no  more,  however,  by  Nicholas 
Biddle,  than  the  Bcign  of  Terror,  in  the 
French  Kevolntiou,  was  the  work  of  Kobes- 


"••ii'. 


'1   ■ 


e 
poor  suffer  in  their  poverty,  and  the  rich  in    pierre,  wdio  was  but  a  feather  in  the  tor- 
their  abundance — to  confound  all  bui  the    nado  of  destiny,  which  uprooted  him  with 


28G 


NICHOLAS  BIDDLE. 
— * — 


[1842 


mill 

i,r.,    ? 


'■■.,• 'Ji 


:J 


the  tliousamls  of  otlior  viotlins  lie  Avna  (le- 
Ciiscil  oriiniiioliitiiijj;.  NiclioliiH  lliddli- was 
Aoti'on,  torn  to  pioops  by  tlio  dof^s  tlmt 
ciuno  at  his  cull,  crmiclu'il  nt  his  foot, 
lickt'd  his  hands,  and  fawnod  on  his  fout- 
stojiH ;  as  hi'  said  liiniSL'lf,  the  slaves  ro- 
voltod  to  destroy  their  master.  JNIan- 
klnd,  Avho  wi)rslii|i  heroes,  riMjuiro  victims. 
They  who  as  directors,  counstdlors,  Ijor- 
rowers,  and  otherwise  idoli/x'd  in  him  the 
caiitivatiuj;'  incarnation  of  hank  infirmity, 
Ijecanie  his  nicndless  revilers,  when  the 
bubble  burst.  They  turned  their  demigod 
into  a  dcnnon,  and  held  him  answerable  as 
a  culprit  for  the  offeno-a  they  iid\ised,  sus- 
taini'd,  and  applauded  ;  they  for  lucre,  but 
he  for  fame. 

All  the  tricks  of  the  institution,  long  after 
Mr.  IViddlo  ceased  to  be  its  head,  were  visited 
on  him.  They  who  kept  his  bust  among 
their  household  deities,  who  watched  him 
in  the  streets  to  admire,  who  coveted  the 
pelf  which  he  despised,  turned  on  him  as 
their  stocks  and  notes  fell,  with  furious  and 
unmanly,  vituperation.  Like  llobert  Mor- 
ris, in  the  same  place,  and  under  many 
similar  circumstances,  Nicholas  Biddle  was 
cast  as  a  nialefactor  from  the  Tarpean 
rock,  and  crushed  to  death.  Throughout 
America,  and  by  his  former  idolaters, 
and  in  Europe,  his  extravagantly  cele- 
brated name  became  a  b^'word  of  re- 
proach. In  Philadelphia,  the  theatre  of  his 
particular  distinction,  he  was  deserted,  cx- 
eci-ated  and  reviled  with  all  the  lyitterness 
of  upstart  men  and  spiteful  women,  sud- 
denly reduced  from  wealth,  or  competency, 
to  privation  or  want.  As  banker,  as  gentle- 
man, and  as  honest  man,  his  position  was 
reversed.  His  considerable  private  fortune 
was  swallowed  up  in  the  ruin  of  insolvent 
stocks,  in  which  he  had  ventured  more  than 
he  Avas  worth.  Instead  of  being  welcome 
in  every  house,  the  doors  of  nearly  all  were 
shut  agaiuf.t  him.  Societies  of  Avhich  he 
was  a  favorite  member,  were  annoyed  if  he 
intruded  among  them.  His  town  residence, 
the  scene  of  elegant  hospitality,  his  colon- 
naded, decorated,  and  costly  Andalusia,  in- 
cumbered with  mortgages,  were  both  sold 
by  the  sherilf.  Destitution,  disgrace,  and 
abuse,  and  insult,  were  the  daily  fare  of 
one  so  lately  almost  universally  admired, 
feted,  courted,  and  applauded.  Most  men 
Would  have  withdrawn  fvom  such  a  storm 
of  animl)sit3^  Many  commit  suicide  frOiU 
less  cause,  tleo  their  country,  or  shut  them- 
selves up  from  general  observation.  Mr. 
Biddlo'^  defamation  was  so  signal,  that  it 
needs  no  fanciful  description:  the  simple 
truth  i>  ir  more  striking  than  any  fiction. 
Like  niostof  mankind,  bearing  with  greater 
equanimity  Ijad  than  good  fortune,  his  ap- 
parent composure  was  singularlj'  undisturb- 
ed, and  his  firmness  unabated.  Ho  went 
abroad  as  usual,  wrote  in  the  newspapers; 
there  was  no  change  of  aspect,  manners, 


or  behavi.a- ;  while  lio  moved  unnoticed  and 
H(ditarv  in  the  crowd,  once  throngi'd  with 
his  followers.  His  case  recalled  that  of 
Law,  to  which  it  bore  some  rcsembhince, 
but  far  (jutran  its  vicissitudi^s,  and  disas- 
trous celebrity.  Law  and  Biddle  rcsendjlcd 
each  other  in  boint^  sensible,  resolute,  re- 
served, but  daring  men,  fully  impressed  with 
the  soliility  of  their  banks,  embarking  and 
losing  largo  private  fortunes  in  them,  care- 
less of  gain,  generous,  gentlemanly,  t;()urt(.'d 
by  the  great,  and  admired  by  all — in  th(^se 
characteristics  they  were  alike.  Their  vic- 
tims were  more  nearly  so,  for  nnni  in  all  ages, 
and  countries,  individuals  and  multitudes, 
princes  and  populace,  rich  and  poor,  are 
nuich  alike  wiien  avarice  levels  all  to  the 
same  Ioa\  standard.  The  Duke  of  8t.  Simon, 
whom  the  llegent  of  Franco  contidentially 
consulted  about  Law's  scheme,  says,  that 
Law's  chief  anxiety  was  that  he  should  not 
be  forced  to  issue  nioro  notes  than  he  had 
coin  to  answer  for  thorn.  Biddle,  likewise, 
was  a  hard  money  man,  who  deeme(l  con- 
vertibility indispensable.  And  in  what  do 
the  princes,  nobles,  potentates,  ladii's,  the 
gilded  aristocracy  oi  Trance,  crouching  at 
Law's  footstool,  differ  from  the  gov(<raors. 
Senators,  lawyers,  merchants,  and  others, 
of  the  American  peerage,  who  fawned  on 
Biddle,  and  flattered  him  to  his  downfall? 

But  there  the  resemblance  ceases.  Nich- 
olas Biddlo's  fate  was  much  harder  than 
John  Law's.  A  recent  French  historian,  M. 
Blanc,  vindicates  Law's  scheme  from  the 
aversion  and  contempt  of  Voltaire,  and 
most  others  who  describe  it.  "Whatever  its 
merits  or  demerits,  its  author  retired  from 
France,  found  in  Italy  refuge  and  repose. 
But  Nicholas  Biddle  was  tortured  to  death 
on  the  scene  of  his  celobritj'.  Aftev  public 
indignation  was  lieatod  to  that  feverish 
state  which  frequently  seeks  judicial  re- 
dress, .an  individual  of  the  many  suf- 
ferers by  the  bank  failure,  laid  his  com- 
plaint, in  January,  1842,  before  the  Grand 
Jury  of  Philadelphia,  who  presented  Nich- 
olas Biddle,  with  Cowperthwaito  and 
Andrews,  two  of  the  bank  ofhcers,  as 
guilty  of  a  conspiracy  to  cheat  the  stock- 
holders. This  presentment  was  in  duo 
f(jrm  laid  before  the  prosecuting  officer, 
who  prepared  an  indictment  accordingly. 
He  whom  a  few  years  before  there  was 
scarce  a  court  of  justice  strong  enough  to 
restrain,  was  on  the  point  of  being  crushed 
in  one.  A  fundamental  principle  of  Saxon 
jurisprudence  was  interposed,  that  the 
Grand  Jury  have  no  authority  to  institute 
prosecutions,  by  inquisitorial  transactions  ; 
that  an  accused  has  a  right  to  be  confronted 
with  his  accuser,  in  the  first  sta<;e  of  prose- 
cution, to  meet  and  contradict  him  before 
a  magistrate.  Instead  of  that  method,  the 
Grand  Jury,  in  the  delirium  of  public  ex- 
citement against  tho  individual  accused  of 
all  tho  ruin,  as  ho  once  had  beeu  extolled  for 


f 


Cl! 


H 


[1842. 
il  unnotieod  mid 

tlirolin;(,.(l   with 

•L'Ciillcil  that  ut 
i(!  ivstsnililinuo, 
iiioM,  ami  ilisas- 
i(ldli)  rosoniljlcd 
)lo,  rosolutc,  I'o- 
imiiivs.scdwith 
cniljiivkiii;^  and 
3  ill  tliciii,  cai'o- 
;iiiaiil_v,  cdurtcd 
_)y  till — in  tlicso 
ike.  TliL'irvic- 
:ii(Mi  iiiaUaj^cs, 
iiul  imiltituik's, 
and  jiiior,  arc 
jvi'ls  all  to  tiie 
ke  of  St.  SiiiKjii, 
)  coiifidcutially 
;me,  say.s,  tliat 
t  lu!  sliimld  not 
s  than  ho  had 
liddlo,  likewise, 
lO  doeincil  con- 
V.nd  ill  what  do 
toy,  ladii's,  the 
0,  eroiu-hin;i  at 
tlio  }^t)V('rii()i'.«, 
ts,  and  (itht'i'H, 
vho  fawned  on 
his  downfall? 
i  ceases.  Nich- 
h  harder  than 
h  liistorian,  M. 
K^nio  f)'(jiu  the 
Voltaire,   .ind 

Whatever  its 
>r  retired  from 
i;e  and  rejiosc. 
tured  to  di^atli 

Afte"  piibliu 

that  feverish 
cs  judieial  rc- 
10  many  suf- 
laid  his  Com- 
oro the  Grand 
•oseutod  Nich- 
rthwaito  and 
ollicers,  as 
eat  the  stoek- 

was  in  duo 
outing  officer, 
t  acoordiiifijly. 
iro  there  was 
ing  onougli  to 
being  crushed 
oiide  of  Saxon 
0(1,  that  the 
ty  to  insiituk 
transactions ; 
be  confronted 
sta<5o  of  prose- 
■t  him  before 
,t  method,  the 
of  public  cx- 
lal  accused  of 
u  extolled  for 


Chap.  XII.] 


TYLER'S  VETOES. 


287 


all  the  prosperity,  of  tlio  community,  com- 
pelled some  of  the  accused  to  appear  in 
their  conclave,  ami  afti-r  examining  indicted 
them.  That  unlawful  in((uisitioii  the  court 
set  aside,  pronouncing  an  elaborate  reviev 
of  the  circumstances,  as  well  as  the  law  in 
questicm.  JJy  the  former  it  appeared  to  the 
court  that  the  bank  directors  were  more 
censurable  than  Mr.  Biddlo  and  the  other 
bank  olKcers;  for  all  was  done  by  authority 
of  the  directors,  who  allowed,  and  indeed 
encouraged,  every  one  to  borrow  of  the 
bunk,  by  way  of  employing  its  unwieldy 
caidtal. 

Nicholas  Biddlu  was  as  iron  nerved  as 
his  great  antagonist,  Andrew  Juckson, 
loved  his  country  not  less,  and  money  as 
little.  On  the  27tli  of  February,  1«44, 
at  Andalusia,  in  the  bosom  of  an  affec- 
tionate family,  he  died  of  a  bi'okcn  heart, 
the  issue  of  a  wounded  spirit,  when  com- 
plaint, seclusion,  or  flight,  might  have  pro- 
longini  his  life  and  relieved  his  sufl'erings. 
Born  on  tlio  8th  January,  which  his  great 
antagonist  i-endorod  a  national  holiday, 
fifty-eight  years  before,  ho  left  the  world 
with  the  great  merit  of  dying  poor  when  he 
could  have  lived  rich. 

After  midnight,  in  the  tumultuous  closo 
of  the  first  session  of  the  twenty-eiglith 
Congress,  on  the  ITtli  June,  1844,  by  one 
of  those  rai)id,  sometimes  imperceptible 
enactments  by  which  great  changes  are 
often  made  by  law,  the  banking  house  of 
the  late  IJank  of  the  United  States  became 
the  Custom  House  of  riiiladelphia.  An 
appropriation  of  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  to  purchase  it  of  the 
baiilv  assignees  for  that  purpose,  inserted 
by  the  Senate,  was  voted  without  opposition 
in  the  hall  whore  so  many  protracted  con- 
troversies concerning  the  bank  had  wearied 
the  patience  of  Coniji-oss,  and  excited  the 
controversial  spirit  of  the  country :  and  the 
marble  jialaco  of  the  ruined  bank  of  the 
United  States  was  turned  into  a  custom- 
liouso. 

Some  time  before,  a  firo  insurance  com- 
pany of  riiiladelphia,  lucky  in  its  risks, 
and  rich  in  its  stocks,  established  in  an  old 
house,  which,  from  its  location,  might  be 
sold  to  advantage,  smit  with  the  love  of 
sliow,  disposed  of  a  good  liuilding  in  order, 
with  the  proceeds,  to  build  an  elegant  in- 
surance ofHce  elsewhere.  The  clerk,  and  two 
or  three  managers  of  the  nominal  and 
accredited  directors,  in  the  vanity  of  imagi- 
nary opulence,  selected  a  spot,  and  erected 
an  odilico  commensurate  with  their  sup- 
posed wealth.  A  splendid  mansion,  re- 
plete with  every  elegant  convenieuco,  a 
residence  for  a  prince,  W!<s  prepared  for  a 
little  corporate  body,  iuibcted  with  the 
malady  of  stock  riclies  and  its  common 
infirmity  of  extravagant  ostentation;  and 
the  noAv  house,  surrounded  by  high  walls 
to  extensive  appurtenances,  was  etpiipped 


with  luxurious  accommodations,  lleversoa 
soon  reduced  the  means  of  the  iiiMirance 
company,  and  the  noble  mansi 'H  was  Ijc- 
yoiui  tliem.  Too  extensive  and  expensive 
for  a  private  ilwelling,  the  jialaecs  was  let 
as  a  boarding-house ;  some  of  its  apart- 
ments wore  occupied  as  such,  others  fop 
the  insurance  comitany,  anil  a  lew  small 
rooms  rented  for  tin;  iniiioverished  remains 
of  the  once  mighty  bank  id"  the  I'nitod 
States  ;  bank  and  building  altogethrr  monu- 
ments of  the  incuraljle  proneiiess  to  those 
perilous  ways  of  wealtli  and  ruin  which 
are  the  common  highways  of  the  vain  haste 
tc  become  rich. 

At  the  first  (or  extra)  session  of  tho 
twenty-seventh  Congress,  acting  I'resideut 
Tyler  voteod  two  bank  bills,  one  originated 
in  the  Senate,  and  another  in  the  House  of 
Ileprosentatives ;  and  it  is  not  probable  that 
a  further  attemiit  will  be  made.  The  cur- 
rency of  the  United  States  is  the  offspring 
of  repudiation  of  a  national  debt  of  more 
than  two  hundred  and  sixty  millions  of 
dollars  in  continental  notes,  the  wages  of 
independence.  But  that  revolutionary  pa- 
per money,  sometimes  a  thousand  in  paper 
to  one  dollar  in  coin,  at  least  iiretended  to 
convertibility.  English  unqualified  repu- 
diation from  1797  to  1823,  and  consequent 
anti-bullion  opinions  asserted  by  eminent 
persons,  revealed  to  this  imitative  and  ex- 
aggerating country  the  fatal  secret  that  pa- 
P'  r  may  be  made  money  without  metal, 
jinoe  then  convertibility,  like  certain  legal 
forms  adopted  from  English  jurispru- 
dence, has  become  an  authorized  fiction, 
and  nearly  a  thousand  banks,  great  and 
small,  spawned  by  State  laws  with  enor- 
mous privileges,  pullulate  small  notes  by 
monstrous  increase  of  paper  money.  Peel's 
bill  of  1821,  with  terrible  suffering,  restored 
coin  in  England ;  and  his  bill  of  1844 
restricts  bank  issues  with  great  difficulty. 
But  in  that,  as  in  some  other  modern  re- 
formations, England  is  far  in  advance  of 
us.  AVhen  the  first  Secretary,  and  organ- 
izer of  our  excellent  treasury,  Hamilton, 
allowed  a  State  bank  note  to  pass  at  a  cus- 
tom-house, the  note  represented  specie,  dol- 
lar for  dollar,  and  the  sufferance  was  but 
momentary :  for  Hamilton  had  no  concep- 
tion of  an  inconvertible  bank  note,  and  his, 
the  first  United  States  bank  was  created  to 
prevent  them.  But  since  that  first  slight 
freedom  with  the  chastity  of  currency,  what 
a  career  of  prostitution  has  followed  one 
backsliding  I  Even  the  national  banks  ve- 
toed by  ^Ir.  Tyler  were  degenerations  to- 
ward paper  money;  and  a  United  States 
bank,  unless  endowed  with  metal  to  control 
State  banks,  does  but  add  fuel  to  the  con- 
suming fire.  One  of  Jackson's  presiden- 
tial pupils  was  sacrificed  to  the  glorious 
martyrdom  of  divorcing  government  from 
banks,  and  another  has  united  it  with  coin. 
Whether  avarice  and  party  will  suffer  this 


if-: 


m 


m-7. 


SS8 


TIIRATV  OF  OIIENT. 


11842. 


con.sunimntion  to  oniluro,  nnd  nionoy  to  vc     Anif  rlcan  prolilpni,  on  \vhoH'>  soltition  do- 
niiiiii  wlmt  and  whiTo  it  \v;»s  Hcttlod 


'V  to  V( 

fiy,  mil 
at,  tlio  (.'onstitutiun,  is  the  inust  iniport;ui 


1    ji.'ii'l  tlin  \  •■iltli,  niornlM,  and  general  wtd- 
t    I'ai.'  of  tlio  I'liited  ytiituM. 


ClIAPTETl  XIIT. 


TREATY  OF  GHENT. 


*  I' ' 
,f  ' 


dli 


y^^y'':W 


1  y  ;;■;  :|!) 

''I^ll' 

|i  ip. 

11 ''  i 

It  is  not  intended  to  treat  hero  the  nego- 
tiations at  (tlient,  or  the  chiiraetor  and  eun- 
H'Tiuenees  of  the  jion.ee  made  there  ;  all  of 
■\vhieh  important  tonics,  with  the  entire  | 
f(ireij;n  rehitionH  of  the  United  States,  are 
reserved  for  another  volume  '•  l)ut  to  sketeh 
in  this  elia[>ter  merely  eertain  extriiisie 
cireuniHtances  of  that  collateral  part  of  tiie 
eont(?st  belonpiing  to  the  period  to  whieh 
this  volume  is  appropriated. 

When  the  Empi  nr  of  Russia  ogreeaLly 
surprised  Madisuu's  administration,  and 
somewhat  disagreeaMy  perplexed  Castlc- 
reaghV,  by  a  sincere,  ptditie,  generous,  and 
imposing  proffer  of  Kussian  metliation,  Mr. 
Gallatin  turned  at  once  from  a  dilapidated 
treasury,  a  Congress  neither  unterrifiod 
nor  harmonious,  and  disastrous  commenco- 
nient  of  hostilities  at  home,  to  go  in  search 
of  peace  abroad  under  foreign  auspices. 
Whether  the  administration  or  Congress 
was  most  to  blame  for  the  want  of  energy 
and  forecast  which  each  imputed  to  the 
other,  at  all  events  relief  was  much  wanted. 
BIr.  Cialhitin  was  confident  that  peace  was 
attainable  by  Russian  intervention,  within 
a  few  months  ;  and  that  for  so  short  a  pe- 
riod, the  war  might  limp  along  on  borrow- 
ed funds  without  taxes.  Although  doubts 
of  the  nation,  and  the  war,  and  Iioprs  of 
foreign  succor,  were  all  disappointed,  and 
some  of  us,  with  Mr.  Claj',  condemned  any 
but  warlike  ways  to  peace,  for  which  the 
American  successes  of  the  year  1814  proved 
the  principal  English  inducement,  yet  the 
mission  Avhich,  from  St.  Petersburg  to  Got- 
tenburg,  and  finally  at  Ghent,  with  visits  of 
some  of  its  members  to  London,  Paris,  Am- 
Bterdam  and  other  European  capitals,  ac- 
complished peace  on  fair  and  reasonable 
terms,  was  a  fortunate  close  *^o  American  tri- 
umphs. It  constituted  a  sort  of  permanent 
American  Congress  in  Europe,  from  which 
this  country  was  almost  entirely  cut  off  by 
British  maritime  sway, ready  at  any  moment, 
without  freriuent  instructions  from  Washing- 
ton, to  seize  the  first  English  inclination  to 
Eut  a  stop  to  the  contest.  President  Madison 
ad  thought  of  Rufus  King  or  Harrison 
Gray  Otis  for  the  Federal  member  of  the 
commission,  to  join  Mr.  Gallatin  and  Mr. 


Adams ;  but  finally  chose  James  A.  Bayard, 
an  eminent  lawyer,  for  twi'uty  years  a  con- 
spicuous member  of  both  houses  of  Congress, 
pronounced  in  his  Fculeral  pcditics,  resolute 
and  honorable,  as  he  had  proved  in  the  re- 
markable conflict  between  .Jefferson  and 
Burr  devolved  on  the  House  of  Itcprcsenta- 
tives  for  the  presidency.  Till  Air.  (Mny 
and  Mr.  Russcl  were  ad(ied  to  the  legation, 
the  war  party  was  witliout  a  representative 
in  it ;  and  when  they  were  appointed,  it  was 
supposed  that  Mr.  Gallatin  and  Mr.  l>ny- 
ard  wei'c  coining  home,  after  the  English 
rejection  of  Russian  mediation. 

The  navy  agent  at  Phihideliihia,  Mr. 
George  Harrison,  a  gentleman  remarkable 
for  his  elegant  hospitalities,  sumptuously 
provisioned  the  ship  Xeptunewith  princely 
profusion  of  luxuries  and  comforts  for  the 
mission  by  varieties  of  the  richest  wines 
and  abundance  of  other  material  assuage- 
ments of  the  life  of  landsmen  at  sea. — Mr. 
Gallatin, with  a  suite,  consisting  of  President 
Madison's  step-son,  Mr.  Payne  Tod ;  the 
present  Vice-President  of  the  United  States, 
Mr.  George  M.  Dallas  ;  and  Mr.  James  Galla- 
tin, Mr.  Bayard,  Avith  Mr.  George  Milligan  ; 
the  four  younger  members  attached  as  se- 
cretaries, Avithout  salaries  ;  accompanied  by 
several  friends  from  Philadelphia  to  New 
Castle ;  there  embarked  for  St.  Petersburg, 
where  they  found  the  Emperor  gone  to  his 
armies,  but  his  prime  minister,  Romantzotf, 
ready  to  receive  them.  Morcau,  who,  it  was 
said,  confidentially  informed  Mr.  Gallatin 
that  ho  was  going  by  request  of  the  Emperor 
of  Russia  to  command  the  allied  forces,  pro- 
mised his  co-operation  to  bring  about  peace 
between  England  and  the  United  States ;  and 
Lafayette's  intervention  was  also  engaged, 
through  La  Ilarpe,  the  Emperor  Alexan- 
der's Swiss  preceptor,  who  imbued  his  ma- 
jesty's education  with  such  liberal  ideas  that 
he  told  Levitt  Harris  he  would  have  been  a 
democrat  if  not  born  an  Emperor.  In  po- 
sition to  deal  with  crowned  heads,  Lafay- 
ette wrote  to  Alexander,  entreating  for  the 
American  republic,  that  he  would  pursue 
the  noble  path  ho  had  entered  upon  for  the 
new  world. 

Thrice  did  the  autocrat  earnestly  proffer 


IIR42. 
Holwtioii  ilo- 


CnAP.  XIII.] 


ST.  PETERSBURG. 
- — ■• — 


280 


s  A.  Bayard, 
yonrs  a  con- 

tics,  rosoluto 
i>il  in  tlio  rc- 
I'rtbrsdii  ami 
Kcjiri'sonta- 
11  iSlr.  (.'lay 
tlio  lpf]jati((n, 
'Tiros('Mtativ(^ 
)mtoil,  it  was 
nd  Mr.  l$ay- 
tlie  Kiii!;lish 


loliiliia,  Mr. 

roiiiarkalilo 

siimptuously 

vitli  ])riii('oly 

i'orts  fur  the 

lolirst  winps 

•ial  assuago- 

at  soa. — Mr. 

of  I'rpsidont 

10  Tod  ;    the 

nited  States, 

James  CJalla- 

goMillijran ; 

iichcd  as  se- 

)nipaniod  by 

Ilia  to  New 

Petersburg, 

gone  to  his 

Honiautzoff, 

who,  it  was 

Ir.  (j!al latin 

:he  Emperor 

forces,  pro- 

about  peace 

States ;  and 

30  engaged, 

or    Alexan- 

ued  his  nia- 

al ideas  that 

have  been  a 

or.     In  po- 

;ads,  Lafay- 

ting  for  the 

luld  pursue 

ipon  for  the 

!stly  profier 


liis  imperial  mediation,  wlnii  his  union,  al- 
most i>[i(>  and  indivisible  with  (ircat  liritain 
for  tii(>  overthrow  of  Napoleim,  was  perfectly 
harmonious.    liut  Russian  intt^rfereiu  e  was 
constantly  and  peu'tinacinusly,  however  re- 1 
spectfully,  refuseil  by  England,  who  would  i 
not    sutler    the   great    northern    inaritimi^  | 
jiower,  that  headed  tin;  armed  neutrality,  to  ; 
superintend  settlemiMit  of  naval  pretensi(lh^^ 
with    their    transatlantie    (diampion:     nor 
would  England  sulfer  any  setth'uient  at  all 
till  the  United  States  renounced  what  thev 
declared    war   for,   resistance   to    English 
right  to  imj)ress  Brilisli  born  subjects.    Yet 
to  obviate  llussian  i     i'  r;ig(«  at  the  British 


refusal  of  medial' 
by  the  cabinet 
both  Russia  and 
former's  iiiti  vvei 
jectioii    to   trcaf 
\Vhat  less  eoulu 
to  be  perpetual  ? 


IS  deemed  pruileut 

M>s,  to  signify  to 

t,  declining  the 

1  had  no  ob- 

itb   the  latter. 

.1,     nless  war  was 

iiut  tiio  intangible  mari- 


time rights  of  Great  Britain  to  impress  men 
from  American  vessels,  must  be  acknow- 
ledged before  Euglaiul  would  treat  at  all  : 
and  while  treating,  she  would  iiillict  the 
])unishmeiit  incurred  by  iintliiudy  and  un- 
pardonalile  American  annaiiient  against 
Englanil  when  least  able  to  defend  herself, 
and  defending  America,  with  all  the  rest  of 
the  worhl,  against  France. 

The  mediation  thus  ended  at  the  same 
time  that  Mr.  Gallatin's  ajipointment  to 
treat  under  it  was  rejected  by  the  Senate, 
and  the  attempt  to  evade  war  without 
lighting  was  condemned  by  that  large 
portion  of  the  war  party,  who  had  lieen 
strengthened  by  nearly  every  election  after 
its  declaration.  They  insisted  that  the 
people  were  willing  and  able  to  carry 
on  the  war  as  the  right  way  to  durable 
peace,  which,  if  made  by  missions  and  me- 
diations, would  bo  no  better  than  uneasy 
truee,  by  mere  suspension  of  hostilities. 

Mr.  Gallatin  was  not  without  reason  for 
confidence  that  the  mediation  of  a  potentate 
80  commanding  as  the  Jlussian  Emitoror, 
closely  allied  with  England,  would  bo 
accepted,  and  the  llussian  monarch  was 
gratified  by  republican  solicitation  for  im- 
perial intervention.  The  St.  Petersburg 
Gazette  of  the  10th  October  1813,  published 
by  authority,  that,  on  the  preceding  Sunday, 
"the  Empress  granted  audience  to  Messrs. 
Adams, Bayard  and  Gallatin,  in  the  quality  of 
Envoys  Extraordinary  Lud  Jlinisters  Pleni- 
potentiary from  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica: and  that  the  mission  caused  univer- 
sal satisfaction  there.  Its  complete  success 
was  desired,  that  the  re-establishment  of 
peace  between  his  Britannic  Majesty  and 
the  Republic  of  the  United  States  may  free 
the  navigation  and  commerce  of  the  llussian 
Empire  from  the  only  restraint  which  it 
could  experience  since  the  renewal  of  its 
ties  of  the  strictest  friendship  with  Eng- 
land. The  striking  proof  of  friendship  and 
19 


confidence  whi(di  tiie  Ri'publle  of  the  United 
States  had  given  to  the  Emperor,  and  tho 
distinguished  sidectiun  it  made  nf  pleni|)o- 
tentiaries,"'  the  Court  (ia/.ette  aiided,  "are 
much  applaude(l  here.  '  As  the  Ereiudi 
Bourbon  nionarchs  ii.i  '  always  proved 
more  fiieiidly  to  the  Ainerii  nii  Ib^public 
than  either  tlie  French  Uepublie,  the  Con- 
sular, Imperial  or  Royal  Orleans  Govern- 
ments, and  the  Tories  of  England  more  so 
than  the  Whigs,  so,  as  the  Empenu-  xXicho- 
las  told  the  American  .Ministor  Mr.  l»allas, 
the  single  sovereignty  of  an  individual  over 
all  the  Iiussias,  syiupathizi  l  v  ;".  the  niul- 
titudini>us  sovereignty  of  ;;  v. h.i)'-  ncoido 
in  America;  nnniixt'd  deu.-c.'idie  I'-iih  un- 
niixetl  imperial  soven  ■  ;:iy-- («'tli,  said 
Xieliulas.  ei|ually  absob.  and  iiili  iiigible. 
While  allusion,  however  gciifle,  to  freeing 
the  commerce  and  navigaiimi  of  lUissia 
from  the  only  restraint  which  it  could 
experience,  was  unwelcome  to  England, 
though  accompanied  by  assurances  (d'  tics 
of  the  strictest  iViemlship,  yet  so  strong 
was  Mr.  Adams'  li  .pe  that  the  llussian 
mediation  would  b.  accepted  by  England, 
that  he  wrote,  as  was  understood  at  the 
time,  to  Reuben  Beasley,  American  agent 
for  prisoners  in  England,  and  to  Ameri- 
can merchants  in  L  anion,  that  negi^ia- 
tions  were  in  train,  and  peace  would  speed- 
ily take  place.  And  in  n  strain  of  fervent, 
iierhajis  piditic  (lattery,  be  proclaimed  tho 
Emperor  Alexander  tlie  nKjdcrn  Titus,  de- 
light and  blessing  <if  mankind. 

But  after  a  tlattering  but  fruitless  ro- 
reption,  the  Asiatic  niagnificeiiee  of  the 
Russian  metropolis  was  all  that  remain- 
ed to  compensate  the  disap]iointment  of 
the  American  ministers.  l'o<ir,  8tudi(aia, 
ambitious  and  secluded,  Jlr.  Adams  lived 
there  on  the  narrow  basis  of  the  parch- 
ment of  bis  commission,  respected  for 
learning  and  talents,  but  little  given  to  tho 
costly  entertainments  of  an  opulent  and 
ostentatiiais  court  circle:  his  nund  bent  on 
the  much  higher  gratification  of  succcn^diug 
his  father  in  the  presidency  of  the  United 
States,  as  ho  confessed  at  St.  Petersburg. 
Authorized  by  the  usage  of  American 
foreign  missions  to  increase  the  scanty  al- 
lowance of  hi^'  salary  by  drawing  for  it, 
whenevev  the  rate  of  exchange  was  ju-ofit- 
able,  and  living  frugally,  withdrawn  from 
all  but  iudisiuMisablo  parade,  Jlr.  Adams 
laid  the  liasis  of  a  modest  competency  for 
his  return  to  America,  whose  otlicial  acqui- 
sition American  republican  parsimony  in- 
duces, if  not  justifies.  But  tho  extraordi- 
nary mission  could  afford  and  was  entitled 
to  more  expensive  circulation  in  the  splen- 
did palaces  of  a  magnificent  city,  inhabit- 
ed by  tho  owners  of  thousauds  of  serfs,  and 
some  of  them  of  Ural  mountains  containing 
mines  of  gold.  In  the  society  in  St.  Peters- 
burg, more  luxurious  than  in  tho  smaller 
residences  of  London  aristocracy,  or  the  less 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  US80 

(716)  872-4503 


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LV 


^  *: 


o^ 


290 


PARTS. 

"♦- 


frequent  hospitalities  of  Paris,  the  Ameri- 
can ministers  were  entertained,  particularly 
the  President's  son,  whose  simple  position 
in  America  was  exaggerated  by  European 
mistake  to  princely  position.  Architecture, 
furniture,  painting,  statuary,  luxury  and 
comfort,  combined  their  attractions  in  pa- 
laces warmed  by  double  windows  and  heated 
air  flues  to  the  temperature  of  delightful 
summer  weather,  while  the  cold  without  is 
intense  and  destructive.  Costumes  of  ori- 
ental richness,  precious  ornaments,  furs  of 
excessive  price,  and  labor  so  low  that  large 
retinues  and  costly  equipages  are  the  least 
expensive  outlays  of  noble  households,  dis- 
tinguish crowds  of  menials  from  imperi- 
ous masters.  Peaches,  pineapples,  grapes, 
strawberries,  the  most  delicious  fruits  from 
hot-houses,  far  fetched  game  of  the  wild- 
est flavor,  tea  by  land  carriage  in  cara- 
vans, transported  five  thousand  miles  from 
China,  incomparably  better  and  much 
dearer  than  the  costly  sea-born  and  sea- 
sweated  bcrerage  so  much  sought  in  Ame- 
rica and  England ;  the  purest  coffee  of 
Mocha ;  wines  of  every  wine-growing  region, 
Asiatic  and  European,  arc  the  common  fivre 
of  the  entertainments  of  Russian  nobles 
of  countless  riches  and  continual  fetes, 
where  much  more  numerous  assemblies 
than  elsewhere  meet  in  the  freedom  of  so- 
cial enjoyments,  to  counteract  the  rigors  of 
climate,  and  from  the  terrible  severities 
of  despotic  government  seek  that  solace  by 
which  almost  every  mortal  privation  is  some- 
how compensated.  The  younger  members 
of  the  American  mission  found  in  such 
enjoyments  compensation  for  its  politi- 
cal failure,  while  their  seniors,  contrary 
to  impressions  industriously  circulated  by 
the  press,  English  and  American,  were 
treated  witli  imperial  and  general  atten- 
tion. Count  Palilen,  the  Emperor's  first 
minister  to  the  United  States,  and  son  of 
his  father's  chief  murderer,  was  then  in 
South  America,  but  his  secretary,  Poleticfi, 
was  at  St.  Petersburg,  to  exhibit  a  grateful 
recollection  of  the  hospitalities  he  received 
in  America. 

Tlie  Emperor  of  the  French  betrayed 
his  jealousy  of  the  Russian  intervention 
by  a  paragraph,  which  was  published  in 
the  Journal  do  L'Einpire  the  IGth  De- 
cember, 1813,  concerning  the  Empress' 
reception  of  the  American  envoys.  "  The 
Gazette  of  St.  Petersburg  exults  in  the 
peace  which  would  be  negotiated  by  Russia 
between  the  United  States  and  England, 
because  that  peace  would  remove  the  im- 
pediments which  hostilities  between  these 
two  powers  placed  in  the  way  of  Russian 
commer'je  and  navigation.  B  v  that  we  may 
judge  of  the  importance  attached  in  Russia 
to  the  navigation  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  consternation  which  English  rejection 
of  Russian  mediation  will  occasion  in  Rus- 
«ia."    The.  Journal  do  L'Empire  waa  bo 


[1813. 

rigorously  official,  that  the  Emperor  Napo- 
leon himself  often  dictated,  and  sometimoa 
wrote,  its  editorial  articles.  The  paragraph 
just  quoted  from  it  shows  that  he  was  be- 
ginning to  bo  aroused  by  American  naval 
successes  to  the  importance  of  the  United 
States  as  a  check  to  tlie  arrogant,  turbulent, 
and  inaccessible  shop-keepers,  whom  alone, 
of  all  Europe,  ho  strove  in  vain  either  to 
overcome  or  despise,  and  in  whose  perfidi- 
ous custody  he  was  doomed  soon  to  fret  his 
life  out.  But  no  Russian  consternation 
broke  forth  when  their  good  offices  were 
declined,  to  which,  from  first  to  last,  Eng- 
land showed  invincible  repugnance.  As 
early  as  the  8th  July,  1813,  an  English 
Journal,  the  London  Star,  stated  "  The 
American  envoys  have  arrived  at  Copen- 
hagen to  excite  animosities  against  Groat 
Britain  and  the  cause  of  Europe.  "We  can- 
not flatter  ou.selves  with  any  prospect  of 
peace  from  tLem  since  they  have  com- 
menced their  diplomatic  visit  at  Copen- 
hagen. It  is  reported  that  Lord  Keith  is 
ordered  to  command  in  America  in  place 
of  Admiral  Warren,  recalled  because  he 
gave  the  American  Commissioners  permis- 
sion to  proceed  to  Russia:"  indications  of 
British  aversion  almost  amounting  to  con- 
sternation at  any  foreign  interference  with 
the  resolution,  at  all  hazards  to  maintain 
their  dominion  of  the  seas,  and  to  punish 
American  rebellion  against  it. 

Never  were  the  character  and  prospects 
of  the  country  of  North  American  republi- 
can experiments  so  low,  since  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  its  independence,  which  at 
that  time  seemed  to  bo  in  jeopardy.  It 
was  the  nadir  of  American,  the  zenith  of 
British  power.  Of  the  hundred  and  twenty 
years  from  the  English  revolution  of  1G88, 
till  the  second  conflict  of  Great  Britain  with 
her  2\  norican  offspring  in  1812,  the  mighty 
islanders,  veterans  in  war,  had  spent  half 
that  peiiod  in  waging  and  learning  its  arts. 
The  vastest  of  all  her  prodigious  conquests 
was  the  last  of  her  many  successes  over 
France,  to  whom  her  officers,  civil  and  mili- 
tary, dictated  in  their  splendid  capital  the 
hard  terms  of  ignominious  subjugation.  At 
the  head  of  all  the  monarchs  of  Europe  her 
stipendiaries,  England,  having  conquered 
France,  turned  with  vindictive  confidence 
from  all  mediation  and  interposal  to  the  in- 
finitely easier  conquest  of  America. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  1814,  the  cartel  This- 
tle arrived  from  Halifax  at  Boston,  in  seven 
days,  bringing  the  first  news  of  those  asto- 
nishing reverses ;  Napoleon,  in  the  British 
frigate  Undaunted,  gone  into  banishment 
at  Elba,  a  little  island  in  the  Mediterranean, 
of  which  few  in  America  had  ever  heard  ; 
Louis  the  XVIII.  propped  on  the  throne  of 
his  ancestors  by  foreign  armies,  command- 
ed by  the  Marquis,  thereupon  created  Duke, 
of  Wellington,  occupying  France  reduced 
from  the  Empire  of  1812  to  the  Kingdom 


S 


I 


Chap.  XIII.] 


ENGLISH  VENGEANCE. 


291 


ipcror  Napo- 
id  fiometimoa 
10  paragraph 
t  ne  was  ^e- 
erican  naval 
f  the  United 
it,  turbulent, 
whom  alone, 
lin  either  to 
hose  perfidi- 
in  to  fret  hia 
snsternation 
offices  were 
to  last,  Eng- 
;nanco.  As 
an  English 
tated  "The 
i  at  Copen- 
;ainst  Great 
e.  We  can- 
prospect  of 
have  com- 
t  at  Copen- 
rd  Keith  is 
ica  in  place 
because  he 
lers  permis- 
dications  of 
ting  to  con- 
crence  with 
to  maintain 
1  to  punish 

id  prospects 
3an  republi- 
the  acknow- 
,  which  at 
opardy.  It 
le  zenith  of 
and  twenty 
on  of  1088, 
Britain  with 
the  mighty 
spent  half 
ling  its  arts. 
s  conquests 
cesses  over 
nland  mili- 
capital  the 
jgation.  At 
Europe  her 
conquered 
confidence 
al  to  the  in- 
"ica. 

cartel  This- 
on,  in  seven 
those  asto- 
the  British 
banishment 
literranean, 
)ver  heard ; 
le  throne  of 
,  command- 
jated  Duke, 
loe  reduced 
e  Kingdom 


of  1792.  Glorying,  as  well  they  might,  in 
the  close  of  a  gigantic  struggle  with  the 
constitutional  monarchy,  the  bloody  anarchy 
and  the  enormous  empire  of  France,  Eng- 
land had  nothing  to  fear  from,  but  her  own 
terms  of  submission  to  impose  on,  the  poor, 
distracted  llepublic  of  America.  The  most 
considerate  Englishmen  questioned  whether 
nominal  independence  or  complete  subjuga- 
tion would  be  best  for  that  refractory  and 
ungrateful,  abandoned  and  forlorn  child  of 
rebellion.  Restricted  frontiers,  surrounded 
and  tormented  by  revengeful  savages,  with 
sovereignty  within  the  States  to  prey  on 
their  vitals,  no  colonial  trade,  no  fisheries, 
no  free  ships  making  free  goods,  no  denial 
of  impressment,  paper  blockade,  or  any 
other  of  tlie  maritime  rights  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, were  among  the  postulates  of  the  mo- 
derate Lord  Liverpool,  the  resolves  of  the 
imperious  Lord  Castleroagh,  and  the  orders 
of  the  magnificent  Prince  Regent.  "  If  the 
good  old  king  could  be  restored  to  his  senses, 
how  his  pious  trust  in  ultimate  justice  would 
be  soothed  and  rewarded,"  was  the  common 
saw  of  loyal  Englishmen.  "  A  very  general 
expectation,"  said  a  London  journal  of  the 
25th  of  April,  1814,  "appears  to  be  enter- 
tained that  the  Americans,  when  apprised 
of  the  recent  changes  in  Europe,  will  cashier 
Mr.  Madison.  It  is  even  anticipated  in  the 
ministerial  circles  as  not  a  very  improbable 
event,  that  the  Americans  may  follow  the 
example  of  France  still  further,  and  return 
to  the  protection  of  their  former  sovereign. 
A  memorial  has  been  presented  to  Lord 
Liverpool,  and  favorably  received,  the  ob- 
ject of  which  is  to  prevent  the  Americans 
from  conducting  the  fishing  trade  as  here- 
tofore on  the  coast  of  Newfoundland'and 
Labrador.  It  is  said  to  be  the  intention  of 
government  to  prevent  this  branch  of  our 
commerce  from  all  intrusion  by  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  under  any  arrange- 
ment that  may  bo  made  with  that  power." 
Simultaneously  with  these  English  specu- 
lations, the  Gazette  of  France  published, 
"  The  delightful  name  of  peace  is  heard  on 
all  sides.  Europe  is  awakened  to  the  en- 
joyment of  its  benefits.  Negotiations  have 
also  been  opened  to  bring  about  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  good  understanding  between 
England  and  the  United  States,  which  has 
only  been  disturbed  by  the  effect  of  the  dis- 
ordered system  adopted  by  Napoleon.  It 
is  known  that  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the 
two  powers  are  to  meet  in  Gottenburg,  per- 
haps even  thoy  may  negotiate  at  Lonaon. 
Wo  have  learned  with  pleasure  that  the 
chief  of  one  of  the  first  tribunals  in  Franco 
invited  to  his  house  Lord  Castlereagh  and 
Mr.  Crawford,  the  Minister  of  the  United 
States.  Several  persons  of  consideration 
were  present,  both  French  and  English.  It 
was  remarked  that  the  two  ministers,  on 
Beeing  each  other  for  the  first  time,  did  not 
behave  with  any  distance  of  manner.    The 


toast  of  universal  peace  was  proposed  to 
them,  and  they  replied  to  it  accordingly." 
But  in  Holland,  the  Lcyden  Gazette  of  the 
22d  of  May,  1814,  stated  that,  "according  to 
advices  from  Vienna,  England  was  about  to 
conclude  a  secret  convention  with  the  al- 
lies, by  which  they  are  not  to  intermeddle, 
after  the  pacification  of  the  continent,  with 
the  aifairs  of  North  America,  and  to  stipu- 
late by  the  peace  that  France  shall  not  take 
any  part." 

When  Crawford  met  Castlereagh  at  the 
French  entertainment,  heralded  in  the  court 
gazette,  the  polished,  placid,  reckless  pre- 
mier of  Great  Bi  itain,  paymaster  of  Europe, 
commander  of  Wellington,  controller  of 
herds  of  dethroned  and  impoverished  po- 
tentates and  princes,  rabid  for  restorations 
to  demolished  thrones,  meditated  the  pun- 
ishment as  well  as  conquest  of  the  Ameri- 
can instruments  of  French  usurpation ;  Ma- 
dison deposed  like  Bonaparte ;  America 
humbled  like  France ;  Washington  captured 
like  Paris ;  bloody  dreams  of  English  re- 
venge; Europe  to  stand  aloof  while  the 
mother  scourged  her  unnatural  offspring, 
if  not  back  to  re-colonization,  at  any 
rate  to  bitter  repentance  and  humble 
submission.  Castlereagh  and  his  asso- 
ciates of  the  Tory  ministry  were  of  the 
school  whose  lessons  were  tlie  doctrines  of 
that  moral  philosopher  and  favorite  of  the 
pious  George  the  III.,  the  great  teacher  of 
English  language  and  dogmas  in  politics 
and  ethics,  Doctor  Johnson,  who  said,  vindi- 
cating the  outrages  of  British  revolutionary 
hostilities  in  America,  "Sir,  let  mo  tell  you 
these  are  but  the  whippings  of  children.  I 
would  have  set  fire  to  and  burned  every 
town,  nay,  every  house,  on  their  coast,  and 
roasted  the  rebels,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, in  the  flames  of  their  rebellion."  In 
the  inherited  spirit  of  that  maternity,  Eng- 
lish journals  in  1814  called  on  the  British 
troops  o:ii barking  from  France  for  America, 
to  "carry  birch  rods  to  whip  the  froward 
children  of  Columbia,  who  cry  for  what  they 
know  not  what,  who  profit  so  little  by  the 
lessons  of  experience."  In  an  admiralty 
order  of  the  30th  April,  1814,  the  Irish 
Secretary  Croker  regretted  that  "the  unjust 
and  unprovoked  aggression  of  the  Ame- 
rican government  in  declaring  war  after  all 
the  causes  of  the  original  complaints  had 
been  removed,  did  not  permit  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  fleet  at  once  to  a  peace  establish- 
ment, but  left  the  issue  for  tlie  mainteuanco 
of  those  maritime  rights  which  are  the  sure 
foundation  of  our  national  glory.  Their 
lordships  hope  that  the  valor  of  his  majes- 
ty's fleet  and  armies  will  speedily  bring  the 
American  contest  to  a  conclusion  honorable 
to  the  British  arms,  safe  for  British  inte- 
rests, and  conducive  to  the  lasting  reposo 
of  the  civilized  world." 

In  that  spirit  of  barbarous  infatuation 
was  war  reinvigorated  and  infuriated,  and 


M- 


%t 


(Ti* 


292 


Mil.  GALLATIN  AND  MR. 

— ♦— 


BAYARD  IN  ENGLAND. 


[1814. 


poaco  procrastinated  for  noar  twelve  months 
after  all  cause  of  war  ceased.  London, 
Paris,  Vienna,  Loydon,  the  capitals  of  all 
Europe  were  eitlicr  aroused  or  neutralized 
for  hostilities  by  which  Great  Britain,  with- 
out a  European  enemy,  was  to  crush  Ame- 
rica without  an  ally  in  the  world.  J  ust  after 
the  conquerors  of  France  marched  into  I'a- 
ris,  on  tlio  lid  of  April,  1814,  Vi<;o  Admiral 
Cochrane  from  Bermuda,  by  the  first  of  his 
diabolical  proclamations,  announced  the  hor- 
rors of  the  mostdreadful  of  all  strife,  servile, 
worse  than  civil  or  savage,  war — war  which, 
whenever  kindled  in  the  Roman  dominions, 
never  ceased  to  rage  till,  after  years  of  ha- 
voc and  extermination,  every  slave  was 
butchered ;  and  which  from  St.  Domingo 
peopled  this  country  with  victims.  That 
official  manifesto  was,-  "  Whereas,  many 
persons  have  expressed  a  desire  to  withdraw 
from  the  United  States,  with  a  view  of  en- 
tering into  his  majesty's  service,  on  being 
received  as_/;re  settlers  in  some  of  his  ma- 
jesty's colonieH,  this  is  therefore  to  give  no- 
tice that  all  disposed  to  emigrate  will  be  re- 
ceived on  board  his  majesty's  ships-of-war, 
or  at  military  posts  on  the  coast  of  the 
United  States,  Avith  the  choice  of  entering 
into  his  majesty's  sea  or  land  forces,  or  be- 
ing sent  as  free  settlers  to  the  British  pos- 
sessions in  North  America  or  tho  West  In- 
dies, where  they  will  meet  with  all  due  en- 
couragement." 

The  Russian  mediation  having  failed, 
Mr.  Gallatin  an<l  Mr.  Bayard  wore  con- 
strained to  take  leave  of  St.  Petersburg 
on  their  way  homcnvard ;  but  determined  to 
try  one  moro,  and  that  an  humble  eft'ort. 
For  that  purpose  Mr.  Dallas  was  sent  to 
England,  in  October,  IHlii,  under  tho  pass- 
port of  a  Russian  courit^r,  with  contidentivl 
and  highly  important  dispatches  to  Prince 
Lieven,  tho  Russian  ambassador  in  London, 
and  Alexander  Baring,  tho  constant  friend 
of  this  country  and  of  peace.  With  tlw 
dispatches  so  fast  sowed  to  his  clothes  t  ^'it 
it  was  inipossiblo  to  take  them  from  hin<  ! 
without  stripping  him  by  corporal  violenre, 
and  imperatively  ordered  to  delivi'r  them 
in  person  to  Princo  Lieven  and  Mr.  Bnring, 
Mr.  Dallas  journeyed  expedition?]'/  through 
tho  northern  parts  of  Europe,  by  llamburg 
to  Harwich,  and  reached  London  the  28th 
November,  1813.  Tho  forlorn  mission  was 
then  almost  desperate.  Still  Mr.  (billatin 
noithcr  despaired  nor  ceased  to  strive,  per- 
severing almost  against  liopo  to  the  end. 
The  day  after  Mr.  Dallas'  arrival  in  London, 
Lord  Oastloreagh  angrily  said  in  the  House 
of  Commons,  that  one  of  tho  American 
commissioners  for  peace  had  had  tho  teme- 
rity to  proceed  from  Russia  to  England, 
and  w!vs  then  actually  in  London.  Mr. 
Baring,  however,  to  (juiet  tho  premier's  dis- 
pleasure, held  himself  responsible  for  Mr. 
Dallas'  conduct  and  object,  and  to  obviate 


all  offence,  nut  in  Lord  Castlereagh's  hands 
tho  letter  lie  (Mr.  Baring)  had  received 
from  Mr.  Gallatin.  Mr.  Dallas  was  suffered 
to  remain  in  Englanii  till  joined  there,  in 
the  spring  of  1814,  by  Mr.  (Jallatin  and 
Mr.  Bayard.  On  what  conditions  or  ex- 
pectations they  were  received  in  England, 
I  am  not  aware,  when  lingering  hones  of 
peace  induced  them  to  go.  Mr.  (ialhvtin  and 
Mr.  Baring  wei'o,  I  believe,  of  Franklin's 
opinion,  that  any  peace  is  better  than  any 
war,  and  that  all  war  is  unnecessary.  In 
their  charge  peace  was  well  cared  for,  and 
of  tho  negotiations  at  Glient,  which  IMr. 
Gallatin  so  sedulously  labored  to  conclude 
by  peace,  he  had  reason  to  be  proud. 

'Ihe  winter  journey  of  the  American 
envoys  from  Russia  to  England,  perform- 
ed when  Prussia  and  Holland,  countries 
through  which  they  travelled,  were  in  the 
ferment  of  resistance  to  France,  and  tho 
restoration  of  their  own  monarchs,  was 
continual  demonstration  of  the  approaching 
entl  of  all  republican  govornnient.  Amster- 
dam, where  they  stopped  some  weeks,  was 
the  head  of  the  l>ntch  revolution  that 
repelh^l  the  French  from  Holland,  and 
restored  th(!  House  of  Orange,  not  as  stadt- 
holders,  but  kings.  Orant/e  lioceniwafi  tho 
cry  which  everywhere  saluted  their  ears. 
The  old  stadtholder,  long  in  exile  from 
Hollanil,  and  resident  of  London,  was  just 
brought  homo  to  tho  kingdom,  placed  at 
his  disposition.  His  son  had  i)een  educated 
in  England.  Holland  was  almost  an  Eng- 
lish province;  and,  as  we  have  seen  in 
another  part  of  this  sketch,  tho  London 
press  complained  of  the  King  of  Holland 
for  sending  a  minister  to  this  rel)elIious 
coifijtry.  winch  there  was  reason,  it  insisted, 
to  believe  would,  like  Holland,  return  to 
tho  votornal  rule  of  its  legitimate  monarch. 
A  >ev  through  Europe  at  that  time  was, 

to  leans,  warning  that  government  liy 

rev,  ..irion  w  is  to  be  no  more,  and  republics 
no  ledger  to  disturb  mankind. 

After  the  representatives  of  American 
independence  thus  traversed  Kiirope,  from 
Cronstailt  to  the  Dutch  capital,  reminded 
by  every  intimalion,  that  tlicTO  was  no 
power  in  K.irope  to  cheek  the  veng(!anco  of 
(Jreat  Britain,  soon  to  bo  inflicted  on  the 
United  States,  they  (Tossed  thetierinan  Sea, 
and  landed  in  England,  at  Harwicdi,  in 
April,  1814.  By  that  time  tho  triumph 
of  Kngland  over  all  her  foes,  save  one,  was 
complete.  Mr.  (Jallatin  and  Mr.  Bayard, 
unnoticed  and  disconsolate,  made  their 
humiliated  entry  into  liondon,  blazing 
with  light  streaming  from  every  house 
throughout  its  narrow  streets  and  dreary 
immensity,  by  tho  illumination  ordered 
and  gladly  kindled  for  tho  capture  of 
Paris.  Nap(deon  was  a  captive.  Tho 
IJourbons  of  both  branches,  long  by  Eng- 
lish inexpugnable  safo-keeping  protected 


Chap.  XIII.] 


MR.  GALLATIN'S  LONDON  LETTERS. 


203 


f^as'i's  liands 
iiid  roct'ivcil 
was  suffcrod 
ficd  tlioro,  in 
<al!iitin  and 
tions  or  ox- 
in  England, 
iniT  hopos  of 
(iallivtm  and 
if  Eranklin's 
ker  than  any 
cessary.  In 
irod  for,  and 
,  winch  Mr. 
I  to  conclude 
proud. 

0  Ainorican 
nd,  porforin- 
d,  countries 
were  in  tiio 

ICO,  and  tho 
narchs,  was 
approacliing 
nt.  Anistor- 
3  wooks,  was 
olution  that 
[oUand,  and 
not  an  Htadt- 
tfcrii  was  tim 

1  thoir  oars, 
exile   from 

on,  was  just 
II,  placed  at 
Bon  educated 
lost  an  Enj;- 
ivvo  soon  in 
tho  London 
of  Holland 
^  rehollious 
,  it  insisted, 
1,  return  to 
to  monarch, 
lat  time  was, 
comment  hy 
id  republics 


f  American 
lurope,  from 
reminded 
ere  was  no 
enf^(!anco  of 
cted  on  tho 
ierman  Sea, 
larwich,  in 
ho  triumph 
ivo  one,  was 
^Ir.  Bayard, 
made  their 
ni,  blazing 
very  house 
and  dreary 
on  ordered 
capture  of 
itivo.  Tho 
nj»  by  Eng- 
5  protected 


from  French  harm,  were  to  be  transferred 
to  tho  throne  of  their  ancestors.  London 
had  dictated  peace  in  Paris ;  Europe  was  to 
be  1  oconstructcd  as  before  the  French  lle- 
volution,  offspring  of  tho  Amciican.  All 
Christendom,  after  tw  enty  years  of  dreadful 
strife  and  convulsions,  was  to  bo  recon- 
structed as  of  yore  All  Christendom  was 
at  peace  and  exulting,  except  tho  Ameri- 
can hemisphere,  where  alone  North  Ame- 
rica was  disturbed  by  unnatural  war,  and 
South  America  by  revolutions,  whoso  con- 
tagion was  taken,  like  a  pestilential  dis- 
temper, from  the  odious  and  unpardonable 
North  American  rebels  against  English 
sway.  About  the  time  that  Parliament, 
both  Houses  without  a  dissenting  voice, 
voted  Wellington,  then  promoted  to  the 
highest  honors  of  British  peerage,  two  and 
a-half  millions  of  dollars,  Mr.  Gallatin, 
on  the  9th  May,  1814,  wrot«  from  London 
to  a  friend  in  New  York:  "Tho  public 
feeling  is  strong  here  against  us,  and  the 
prosecution  of  the  war  would  be  popular 
with  the  nation.  The  overthrow  of  Bona- 
parte is  u  blessing  for  mankind  ;  but  it  is 
a  matter  of  regret  that  our  affairs  were 
not  arranged  before  the  restoration  of  a 
general  European  peace.  This  leaves  a 
formidable  land  and  naval  force  at  the  dis- 
posal of  government ;  and  you  must  expect 
that  a  portion  will  bo  sent  this  summer 
against  us.  This  makes  me  still  more  de- 
eirous  of  being  with  you ;  and  if  I  find  the 
negotiation  likely  t  ■  fail  or  to  bo  protracted, 
I  will  not  wait  the  linal  issue.  In  the  mean- 
while, I  beg  you  to  make  yourself  as  com- 
fortable as  you  can.  I  would  feel  more 
easy  if  I  knew  you  to  be  at  Philadelphia 
than  New  York."  His  apprehension  was 
that  tho  city  of  New  York  was  in  danger : 
at  any  rate,  that  it  might  be  attacked.  In 
the  same  letter  be  added  that  he  had  been 
kindly  treated  in  London,  met  some  old 
fricnrts  and  made  new  ones  there.  But 
ministerial  countenance  could  not  be  open- 
ly bestowed  on  the  American  envoys  so- 
liciting peace  in  London,  while  Madame 
de  Stael,  then  in  exile  there,  extended  her 
useful  as  well  as  agreeable  society  to  Mr. 
Gallatin.  Mr.  Foster,  British  minister  in 
tho  Un  ted  States  when  war  was  declared, 
meeting  Mr.  Payne  Tod  in  tho  street, 
condescended  to  invite  a  President's  son  to 
Devonshire  house,  but  had  not  the  manli- 
ness to  notice  the  American  envoys,  nor 
the  good  breeding  to  visit  gentlemen,  whose 
civilities  he  had  enjoyed  during  ten  years' 
residence  at  Washington. 

There  is  not  much  besides  mere  official, 
which  of  course  is  reserved,  correspondence 
from  the  American  envoys  at  that  time  in 
the  department  of  state.  The  following 
Bignificant  letter  was  sent  disguised  in 
cipher;  when,  owing  to  the  common  de- 
lays and  extraordinary  interruptions  of  the 
seas,  of  which  Great  Britain  was  post-mas- 


ter, it  was  perilous  to  trust  dispatches  so 
liable  to  captiire.  When  it  was  received 
does  not  af)pear;  but  probably  when  con- 
fidence in  London  and  alarm  in  Washington 
were,  as  events  soon  showed,  equally  un- 
founded: 

London,  13M  June,  1814. 

Honorable  Jajies  Monhoe, 

Secretary  of  State. 

Sir: — The  armai.ient  fitted  against  Ame- 
rica will  enable  the  British,  liesides  pro- 
viding for  Canada,  to  land  at  least  15  to 
20,000  men  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  Whether 
tho  ministry  be  nevertheless  disposed  for 
peace,  a  few  wooks  will  determine.  It  may 
bo  intended  to  continue  tho  war  for  the 

Eurpose  of  effecting  a  separation  of  the 
nion,  or  with  a  view  of  promoting  the 
election  of  a  President  of  the  Federal  i)arty, 
or  in  tho  hope  of  imposing  conditions  which 
will  curtail  the  territory,  tho  fisheries,  and 
diminish  the  commerce  of  the  United  States ; 
but  even  with  the  intention  of  a  speedy  and 
equal  peace,  the  pride  and  vindictive  pas- 
sions of  the  nation  would  be.highly  grati- 
fied.— What  they  would  consider  a  glorious 
termination  of  the  war,  as  an  exj>edient 
that  may  console  them  for  the  mortification 
of  naval  defeats,  retrieve  the  disgrace  of 
the  campaign  in  the  Chesapeake,  and  crip- 
ple the  naval  and  commercial  resources,  as 
well  as  tho  growing  manufactures,  of  the 
United  States.  To  use  their  own  language, 
they  moan  to  inflic*  on  America  a  chastise- 
ment that  will  teach  her  that  war  is  not  to 
be  declared  with  impunity  against  Great 
Britain.  This  is  a  very  general  sentiment 
in  the  nation,  and  that  such  are  the  opin- 
ions and  intentions  of  the  ministry  was 

strongly  impressed  on  the  mind  of , 

by  a  conversation  he  had  with  Lord  Castle- 
roagh.  Admiral  Warren  also  told  Levitt 
Harris,  with  whom  he  was  intimate  at  St. 
Petersburg,  that  he  was  sorry  to  say  that 
the  instructions  given  to  his  successor  on 
the  American  station  were  very  different 
from  those  under  which  he  had  acted ;  and 
that  he  apprehended  that  very  serious  in- 
jury would  be  inflicted  on  America.  Know- 
ing the  species  of  warfare  practiced  under 
him,  and  that  he  was  blamed  for  the  inef- 
ficiency, and  not  on  account  of  the  nature, 
of  his  operations,  you  may  infer  what  is 
now  intended.  AVithout  pretending  to  cor- 
rect information  respecting  the  plan  of  cam- 
paign, I  think  it  probable  that  Washington 
and  New  York  are  the  places,  the  capture 
of  which  would  gratify  tne  enemy,  and  that 
Norfolk,  Baltimore,  and  the  collected  manu- 
facturing establishments  of  Brandywine 
and  Rhode  Island  are  also  in  danger.  Tho 
ostensible  object  everywhere  will  be  tho 
destruction  of  the  public  naval  magazines 
and  arsenals,  and  of  all  the  shipping,  whe- 
ther public  or  p'ivate,  but  heavy  contribu- 
tions, plunder,  and  whatever  marks  a  pre- 


(ij 


294 


datory  warfare,  must  be  expected :  unless 
the  ultimate  o  tject  be  to  sever  the  Union, 
demand  a  cession  of  territory,  &o.,  in  which 
case  the  more  permanent  occupancy  of 
New  York,  or  of  some  other  important 
tenable  point,  will  probably  be  attempted 
instead  of  mere  destruction.  Whatever 
may  be  the  object  and  duration  of  the  war, 
America  must  rely  on  her  resources  alone. 
From  Europe  no  assistance  can,  for  some 
time,  be  expected.  British  pride  begins, 
indeed,  to  produce  its  usual  e£Pect.  Seeds 
of  dissension  are  not  wanting.  Russia  and 
England  may,  at  the  approaching  Congress 
of  Vienna,  be  at  variance  on  important 
subjects,  particularly  respecting  tne  ag- 
grandizement of  Austria.  But  questions 
of  maritime  rights  are  not  yet  attended  to, 
ana  America  is  generally  overlooked  by 
the  European  sovereigns,  or  viewed  with 
suspicion.  Above  all,  there  is  nowhere 
any  navy  in  existence,  and  years  of  peace 
must  elapse  before  the  means  of  resisting 
with  eifect  the  sea  power  of  Great  Britain 
can  again  be  created.  In  a  word,  Europe 
wants  peace,  and  neither  will  nor  can  at 
this  time  make  war  against  Great  Britain. 
The  friendly  disposition  of  the  Emperor 
Alexander,  and  a  just  view  of  the  subject, 
make  him  sincerely  wish  that  peace  should 
be  restored  to  the  United  States.  lie  may 
use  his  endeavors  for  that  purpose :  beyond 
that  he  will  not  go,  and  in  the  it  is 

not  probable  he  will  succeed.  I  have  also 
the  most  perfect  conviction,  that,  under  the 
existing  unpropitious  circumstances  of  the 
world,  America  cannot,  by  a  continuance 
of  the  war,  compel  Great  Britain  to  yield 
any  maritime  points  in  dispute,  and  par- 
ticularly to  agree  to  any  satisfactory  ar- 
rangement on  the  subject  of  impressment : 
that  the  most  favorable  terms  of  peace  that 
can  bo  expected  are  ti.e  status  ante  bullum : 
a  postponement  of  the  questions  of  block- 
ade, impressment,  and  all  other  points 
which  in  time  of  European  peace  are  not 
particularly  injurious;  but,  wit|^  firmness 
and  perseverance,  those  terms,  though  per- 
haps unattainable,  at  this  moment,  will 
ultimately  be  obtained,  provided  you  can 
stand  the  shock  of  this  campaign,  and  pro- 
vided the  people  will  remain  and  show 
themselves  united :  this  nation  and  govern- 
ment will  bo  tired  of  a  war  without  object, 
and  which  must  become  unpopular,  when 
the  passions  of  the  day  will  have  subsided, 
and  when  the  country  sees  clearly  that 
America  asks  nothing  from  Great  Britain. 
It  is  desirable  that  the  negotiations  of 
Ghent,  if  not  productive  of  immediate 
pease,  should  at  least  afford  the  satisfactory 
proof  of  this  last  point.  I  might  have  ad- 
duced several  facts  and  collateral  circum- 
stances in  support  of  the  opinions  contained 
in  this  letter,  but  you  know  I  would  not 
risk  them  on  slight  grounds.  You  may  rest 
assured  of  the  general  hostile  spirit  of  the 


voya 
Rlr. 


LONDON.  '  [1814. 

— * — 

nation,  and  of  its  wish  to  inflict  serious  in- 
jury on  the  United  States;  that  no  assist- 
ance can  be  expected  fi*om  Europe;  and 
that  no  better  terms  of  peace  will  bo  ob- 
tained than  the  status  ante  belluin,  &c.,  as 
above  stated.  I  am  less  positive,  thoujrS 
I  fear  not  mistaken,  with  respect  to  the 
views  of  the  ministry,  to  the  object  of  the 
armament,  to  the  failure  of  the  Emperor's 
interference,  and  to  the  consequent  impro- 
bability of  peace  before  the  conclusion  of 
this  year's  campaign. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
Albert  Gallatin. 

That  letter  of  Mr.  Gallatin,  expressive  of 
well-founded  apprehensions  for  Now  York 
and  Washington,  particularly,  and  little 
anticipating  the  American  triumphs  that 
accompanied  and  strengthened  the  negotia- 
tions at  Ghent,  contemplated  nothing  bet- 
ter than  the  mere  Fabian  policy  of  delay ; 
enduring  British  hostilities  till  their  frenzy 
should  be  exhausted,  and  trusting  to  the 
mere  chapter  of  accidents  for  saving  the 
United  States  from  dismemberment  and 
subjupition.  A  few  days  aftei*,  with  Le- 
vitt Harris,  who  accompanied  the  env()> 
from  St.  Petersburgh  to  London, 
Gallatin  had  the  honor  of  an  interview  there 
with  the  Empei'or  Alexander.  Admiral 
Cochrane's  proclamation  of  April,  1814, 
in»:*ing  the  slaves  of  the  Southern  States 
to  revolt,  was  soon  followed  by  his  official 
letter  of  August,  to  Mr.  Monroe,  announc- 
ing, but  not  till  after  their  perpetration 
at  Washington,  the  barbarous  devastations 
there  committed,  and  to  be  repeated  wherc- 
ever  British  fleets  and  armies  could  strike. 
The  only  question  was,  as  Mr.  Gallatin  wrote, 
between  predatory  hostilities  of  uncivilized 
atrocity  and  permanent  conquest.  To  one 
or  the  other  of  these  inflictions  Great  Bri- 
tain resolved  thac  America  should  submit. 
In  the  fever  of  that  fell  spirit,  the  Ameri- 
can envoys,  in  London,  sought  an  interview 
with  the  only  person  who  might  possibly 
avert  or  mitigate  the  blows. 

In  the  midst  of  the  tumultuous  exulta- 
tions of  London,  large  embarkations  of 
troops  for  America  took  place,  of  whom  the 
Duke  of  V^ellington,  Lord  Hill,  Marshal 
Beresford,  and  Sir  Thomas  Picton  were 
reported  an  leaders.  After  settling  the 
Bourbons  on  the  precarious  French  throne, 
their  imperial  and  royal  guardians  proceed- 
ed, the  Gtli  Juno,  1814,  on  a  visit  to  London. 
The  Emperor  Alexander  and  King  of  Prus- 
sia, with  their  suites,  a  large  concourse  of 
illustrious  princes,  generals,  and  nobles, 
the  modern  knighthood  of  most  of  Europe, 
for  whose  reception  great  preparations  were 
made ;  for  never  in  the  glorious  annals  of 
Great  Britain,  since  Henry  VIII.  and  Henry 
IV.  met  at  Calais  ou  the  uloth  of  gold,  hud 


Chap.  XIII.] 


LONDON  FESTIVAL. 


•▼^ 


)0,  announc- 


Buch  guests  been  her  visitors.  In  considera- 
tion of  the  leading  part  England  had  acted, 
tho  invaluable  succors  she  had  given,  the 
still  more  important  example  she  had  set, 
the  only  kingdom  unsubdued  or  unterrified, 
the  only  one  that  had  not  acknowledged 
not  only  the  usurper  emperor,  but  all 
his  tributary  kings  and  princely  parasites, 
it  was  said  that  the  Congress  for  general 
peace  was  to  be  hold  in  the  British  metro- 
polis, tho  largest  city  of  Christendom,  and 
that  the  treaty  should  bear  the  name  of 
London  in  all  future  generations  and  his- 
tories. The  18th  June,  1814,  by  felicitous 
anticipation  of  tho  coming  battle  of  Wa- 
terloo next  year,  was  fixed  as  the  day 
when  the  City  of  London,  in  a  magnificent 
entertainment,  should  invite  tho  chivalry 
of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  to  meet 
those  of  Russia,  Austria,  Prussia,  France, 
and  all  the  other  powers  of  Europe,  at 
Guildhall,  the  ancient  seat  of  British  jus- 
tice, the  chosen  place  of  the  banquet,  for 
which  a  grand  Cfothic  hall,  with  sujierbly 

5ainted  windows,  was  gorgeously  equipped, 
'ho  walls  were  tapestried  with  bright 
crimson  cloth,  festooned  into  arcades,  in 
the  recesses  of  which  were  tables  loaded 
with  all  the  city  plate  from  the  Mansion 
House,  and  that  of  many  noblemen,  gentle- 
men, and  companies  profiered  for  the  occa- 
sion; sumptuous  in  display  of  gold  and 
silver,  magnificent  candelabra,  cpergnes, 
tureens,  ewers,  cups,  dishes,  glaciers,  and 
other  richly  wrought  ornaments,  all  select- 
ed for  the  purpose.  Illuminated  by  chan- 
deliers of  beautiful  cut  glass,  redoubled  by 
mirrors,  reflected  by  cordons  of  lamps,  the 
royal  and  city  banners  of  the  twelve  prin- 
cipal corporations  were  displayed  in  gal- 
leries terminated  at  the  monuments  of 
Chatham  and  his  son,  William  Pitt,  one 
the  great  author  of  modern  British  com- 
mercial renown,  the  other  of  its  utmost 
development.  Bands  of  military  music, 
and  orchestras  of  vocal  performers,  by 
turns  enlivened  the  scene.  The  Prince 
Regent,  with  the  Emperor  of  Russia  on  his 
right  and  King  of  Prussia  on  his  left,  sat 
on  an  elevatca  platform,  in  massive  gilt 
chairs,  covered  and  canopied  with  crimson  ' 
velvet,  fringed  with  gold  and  tied  with  | 
golden  ropes:  the  sword,  sceptre,  and  crown 

glittering  above  their  august  heads.  The 
oor  in  front  of  the  regal  table  was  terraced 
with  a  profusion  of  tho  rarest  and  costliest 
aromatic  shrubs,  flowers,  and  exotic  plants. 
The  city  council,  courts  of  law.  Lord  Mayor, 
and  nobles,  galleries  crowded  with  ladies 
in  full  dress,  waving  white  handkerchiefs, 
within,  and  innumerable  populace  without, 
were  back-grounds  of  a  splendid  frontis- 
piece. The  streets  from  Temple  Bar,  whore 
the  procession  entered  the  city,  were  spread 
over  with  bright  gravel,  and  the  crowd  kept 
ofi"  by  posts  and  bars.  Tho  only  turtle 
that  could  be  procured  was  presented  by  a 


West  India  merchantman,  whoso  name  ia 
gratefully  preserved  for  history.  A  large 
baron  of  the  roast  beef  of  Old  England, 
with  the  royal  standard,  was  placed  on  a 
stage  at  the  upper  end  of  the  hall,  in  view 
of  the  royal  table,  attended  by  tho  sergeant 
carvers,  and  one  of  the  principal  cooks,  in 
proper  costume.  France  was  represented 
at  tho  festival  by  the  Duke  of  Orleans, 
since  the  first  elected  and  last  dethroned 
king  of  that  country:  England,  by  tho 
prince  regent  and  his  brothers,  the  dukes  of 
York  and  Kent,  and  their  cousin,  the  Duko 
of  Gloucester.  The  future  William  tho 
Fourth,  then  Duke  of  Clarence,  was  too 
poor  and  insignificant  to  bo  present ;  and 
the  Duke  of  Sussex,  too  liberal  to  be  tole- 
rated in  his  regent  brother's  presence.  Met- 
ternich  ;  Nesselrodo ;  tho  Cossack  Iletman 
PlatoiT;  Hardenberg;  the  Duko  of  Saxo 
Weimar,  Avho  afterwards  visited  the  United 
States ;  Blucher  ;  Bulow ;  Humboldt ;  Ad- 
miral Warren  ;  Castlereagh  ;  Peel ;  with 
long  lists  of  {English  and  other  European 
noblemen,  princesses,  ladies,  and  distin- 
guished, but  not  historical  personages,  at- 
tended. 

The  day  of  that  entertainment  by  tho 
city,  was  appointed  by  tho  Emperor  Alex- 
ander ;  and  the  hour  before  he  left  the  place 
of  his  residence,  in  Leicesterfields,  to  pro- 
ceed to  Guildhall,  as  tho  time  for  Mr.  Gal- 
latin's reception,  wliose  associate  on  tho 
occasion  was  Levitt  Harris,  long  known  to 
the  Emperor  of  Russia  as  American  consul, 
and  the  only  public  functionary  near  his 
court;  recommended  there  by  that  well- 
educated  monarch's  g  od  feelings  towards 
American  institutions,  his  wish  to  culti- 
vate American  commercial  relations,  tho 
lively  amenity  and  European  tastes  con- 
tracted by  Mr.  Harris  during  many  years' 
residence  in  St.  Petersburg.  Tho  streets  of 
London  that  afternoon,  near  the  imperial 
residence,  bright  with  summer  daylight, 
swarmed  with  tens  of  thousands  of  elegant 
carriages  ;  more  than  a  considerable  army 
of  opulent  gentlemen  on  fine  horses,  at- 
tended by  as  many  Avell-mounted  grooms, 
in  all  tho  admirnljle  and  uncqualed  display 
of  English  equestrian  splendor  ;  perfect  iu 
equipages,  liveries,  and  equipments  ;  an  im- 
mense parade  of  beautiful  women,  stout  men 
and  riclily-drcsscd  servants  ;  surrounded  by 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  brawny  populace ; 
all  assembled  to  see,  cheer,  and  admire  the 
continental  lieroes,  who,  in  their  pay,  and 
under  their  conti'ol,  had  at  last  conquered 
their  most  formidable  foe,  and  sung  Rule 
Britannia  in  the  capital  of  subjugated 
France. 

Through  as  much  of  that  concourse  of 
Britons  in  all  their  glory,  acknowledged  the 
masters  of  the  world,  as  a  mean  and  soli- 
tary hackney  coach,  with  a  permit,  could 
work  its  despicable  .vay,  hooted  and  reviled, 
the  American  representatives,  sufifercd  with 


206 


MR.  GALLATIN  AND  THE 

— •- 


EMPEROR  ALEXANDER. 


[1814. 


ijfi'"'!-' 


r  m 


■(1 


difficulty  to  proocod,  slowly  moved  in  strik- 
ing contrast  with  tlio  surrounding  nmgni- 
ficcnco  of  impediments,  wonder,  and  con- 
tempt. No  people  arc  more  intolerant  of 
all  others,  scarcely  the  Chinese  or  Japan- 
ese, than  the  English,  Mo  orhc  dhnsoa;  no 
populace  more  insolent  to  their  own  supe- 
riors ;  the  former  ft-om  insularity,  the  lat- 
ter from  uneducated  popular  freedom ;  no 
mob  more  derisory  or  msulting;  no  soli- 
tude more  disheartening  than  the  vast 
crowds  of  his  kin,  and  like  thronging  the 
interminahlo  ways  of  London,  to  an  Ame- 
rican, who  finds  them  strangers,  distant, 
contemptuous,  and  censorious  of  every- 
thing transatlantic.  Mr.  Gallatin,  who,  if 
recognized  as  such,  might  have  been  grossly 
insulted,  escaped  with  nothing  worse  than 
volleys  of  jeers  at  his  foreign  aspect,  and 
sometimes  being  hailed  as  old  Blucher. 
A  few  years  afterwards,  when  American 
minister  in  France,  the  King,  Louis  the 
Eighteenth,  whoso  long  exile  in  England 

1»erfected  his  familiarity  with  the  English 
anguage,  but  who  disliked  an  able  (Jene- 
van,  Avhom  ho  looked  upon  as  almost  one 
of  his  own  subjects  representing  a  foreign 
nation  at  his  court,  said,  "  Mr.  Gallatin, 
you  speak  French  perfectly."  Bowing  to 
the  compliment,  the  American  minister  did 
not  anticipate  its  sarcastic  sequel,  when 
the  king  added,  "  but  I  think  my  English 
is  better  than  yours."  Few  Americans 
would  visit  London  or  Paris,  with  less  of 
the  bodily  characteristirs  of  this  country 
than  the  now  venerable  statesman,  who, 
though  perhaps  more  anxious  to  prevent 
and  avert  war  than  some  other  Americans, 
and  soliciting  peace  with  extreme  entreaty, 
was  always,  whether  at  St.  Petersburg, 
Amsterdam,  London,  Paris,  or  Ghent,  one 
of  the  truest  ailvocates  of  the  rights  of  the 
adopted  country  ho  so  long  and  faithfully 
Bcrvcs  still. 

Alex.ander's  reception  of  the  American 
courtiers  of  his  mediation,  was  what  Mr. 
Clay  might  have  enjoyed  more  than  Mr. 
Gallatin.  In  the  strong,  coarse  diction  not 
uncommon  to  sovereigns  and  the  great, 
French  words  equivalent  to  "  keep  a  stiff 
upper  lip,"  were  his  imperial  majesty's 
expressive  advice.  To  the  solicitor  of 
peace,  the  autocrat's  wise  counsel  was,  not 
to  be  discouraged,  but,  with  manly  resist.- 
ance  to  put  on  the  port  of  resolution,  and 
at  least  assume  a  virtue,  even  if  we  had  it 
not.  "Verily,  Jonathan,"  said  Cobbett's 
Register  just  then,  "if  you  repose  in  vain 
hopes,  you  are  on  your  last  legs.  You  have 
negotiators  in  Europe,  who  have  a  great 
opinion  of  their  powers  of  speech.  We 
here  do  not  make  long  diplomatic  speeches, 
but  use  more  laconic  arguments  of  much 
greater  force.  You  have  lately  seen  what 
a  shilly  shally  state  the  powers  of  the  con- 
tinent were  in,  till  our  Lord  Castlereagh 
got  among  their  counsellors.    You  have 


seen  the  result;  after  that,  rely,  if  you 
will,  on  the  superior  powers  of  falldtifj. 
Perhaps  you  may  take  it  into  your  heads 
that,  negotiators  chosen  from  among  our 
friends,  the  Ffihraliafu,  those  '  Burkes  of  the 
western  hemisphere,'  of  whom  the  Times 
newspaper  speaks,  perhaps  it  may  como 
into  your  noddle,  that  negotiators  picked 
out  from  among  those  '  friends  of  social 
order,  and  regular  government,'  will  bo 
likely  to  succeed  better  than  those  who  were 
not  for  open  war  against  Napoleon.  Try, 
then,  Jonathan,  and  be  sure  to  fix  on  gen- 
tlemen who  think  themselves  clever,  and 
love  to  hear  themselves  talk.  Try,  in  all 
manner  of  ways,  the  powers  of  talking. 
Alas !  to  be  serious  witn  you,  your  safety 
lies  now  in  the  forbearance,  the  magnani- 
mity, and  compassion  of  his  royal  highness, 
the  prince  regent.  You  did  not  like  the 
Emperor  Napoleon.  One  party  amongst 
you  abused  him,  and  the  other  disclaimed 
all  desire  to  aid  his  views.  Volumes  did 
your  negotiators  write  to  convince  us  that 
you  did  nothing  to  favor  him.  You  have  got 
into  a  nice  little  independent  Avar  of  your 
own.  You  have  put  your  little  imlt^endent 
war  as  a  sort  of  an  episode  to  the  great 
drama.  You  may,  I  hope,  rely  on  the 
moderation  and  magnanimity  of  our  prince 
regent.  But  I  do  assure  you,  if  you  were 
rooted  out  to  the  last  man,  you  would  excite 
but  little  commiseration  in  Europe.  It  is 
in  vain  to  talk  ;  a  disease  of  the  mind,  of 
which  nations  are  never  cured,  but  at  the 
cannon's  mouth." 

The  philosopher  of  Botley,  as  Cobbett 
began  to  bo  styled,  from  his  strong  Saxon 
writings  in  the  Political  Register,  which 
he  edited  from  a  farm  near  that  village  in 
Hampshire,  did  not  stop  at  writing;  but, 
completely  converted  from  extreme  hatred 
of,  to  a  great  preference  for,  American  in- 
stitutions, atoned  for  some  of  his  abuse  of 
them,  while  conducting  Peter  Porcupine's 
Gazette  in  Philadelphia,  by  a  remarkable 
visit  and  communication  to  Mr.  Bayard,  at 
London.  As  that  gentleman,  and  Mr. 
Christopher  Hughes,  the  secretary  of  the 
legation,  were  breakfasting  one  morning 
at  their  lodgings,  in  Albemarle  Street,  the 
card  of  William  Cobbett  was  brought  from 
the  door,  followed  by  a  big,  burly,  rough- 
looking,  coarse-dressed,  elderly  man,  en- 
tering with  a  large  oak  stick  in  his  hand,  the 
imago  of  a  sturdy  Briton.  "I  am  come," 
said  he,  "to  warn  you  Americans  against 
this  cabal,  caucus  you  might  call  it  in 
America,  of  orowned  heads  now  in  London, 
whoso  objects  must  bo  sinister,  and,  as  I 
believe,  bode  your  republic  no  good.  The 
republican  spirit  is  to  be  put  out,  the  light 
of  liberty  extinguished,  and  your  country, 
the  candlestick  in  which  it*  now  flickers, 
broken  to  pieces,  that  it  may  blaze  no  more. 
Our  old  king,  you  know,  is  mad ;  confined 
to  rooms  padded  with  cushions  along  the 


Chap.  XIII.] 


NEW  ORLEANS  AND  CUBA. 


297 


^i' I 


Trails,  so  that  ho  cannot  knock  his  brains 
out,  or  hurt  himself,  and  filled  with  pianos 
for  him  to  soothe  his  insanity  by  music,  of 
which  ho  is  fond.  Ilia  hopeful  heir  appa- 
rent is  a  mere  voluptuary,  whoso  only  de- 
sire is  to  dress,  drink,  and  wench  when  ho 
is  able.  But  old  Queen  Charlotte  is  sniit 
with  lust  of  power  as  well  as  wealth  ;  and 
she  wants  to  mako  the  greatest  dolt  of 
her  seven  stupid  sons,  the  Duke  of  York, 
what  do  you  think,  sirs?  nothing  less  than 
king  of  North  America.  They  tried  to 
make  a  bishop  of  him,  then  a  general,  and 
failed  at  both ;  but  hope  ho  may  do  for  a 
king,  wlio,  by  law,  can  do  no  wrong ;  and 
what  bringa  all  these  potentates  from  Paris 
to  London,  with  Metternich  and  others  to 
represent  the  absent  royalties?  Certainly, 
to  plot  the  overthrow  of  tho  only  republic 
that  stares  them  in  tho  face.  Depend  on  it, 
Mr.  Bayard,  thatCastlereagh  and  Arthur,  as 
tho  prince  regent  calls  the  new  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington, have  assembled  these  monarchs  here 
to  organize  a  Cossack  force,  like  the  Hessian, 
to  bo  sent  to  America  to  crush  you.  Old 
Charlotte  is  full  of  it,  as  I  learn  ;  and  all 
your  begging  peace  will  come  to  nothing.  If 
Tou  cannot  tight,  you  must  be  conquered. 
There  are  men  enough  well  armed  and  dis- 
ciplined, ships  enough  all  ready  to  carry 
them ;  fools  enough  like  the  old  queen,  to 
urge  tho  enterprise ;  ministers  enough  like 
Castlereagh  and  Metternich,  to  recommend 
it."  Cobbett's  visit  and  communication 
were  received  by  Mr.  Bayard,  who  had 
known  him  in  Philadelphia,  with  silent  at- 
tention. 

Encouraged  by  the  Emperor  Alexander 
as  to  the  indispensable  necessity  and  wis- 
dom of  relying  on  warlike  virtues  and 
measures,  as  the  only  way  to  peace,  the 
American  cnvoyo  soon  after  left  Loudon  for 
Paris. 

During  their  occasional  visits  and  their 
suites  to   Paris,  in  the  summer  of  1814, 

i preceding  their  settlement  at  Ghent,  for 
ho  negotiations  conducted  there,  a  circum- 
Btanco  made  known  from  Paris  to  Wash- 
ington, through  one  of  the  unofficial  at- 
tendants of  the  legation,  deserves  to  be 
mentioned,  importing  that  scarcely  was 
Ferdinand  the  Seventh  on  tho  throne  of 
Spain  once  more,  before  his  ministers 
conceived  a  design  of  dispossessing  the 
United  States  of  Now  Orleans.  Mid- 
way between  English  and  Spanish  Amc- 
.rica,  it  was  considered  tho  head-quar- 
ters of  tho  insurrections  and  revolutions, 
exemplified  and  inculcated  by  tho  former 
to  the  latter,  of  which  the  furnace  at  New 
Orleans,  occupied  by  Spanish  forces,  might 
bo  made  tho  most  convenient  extinguisher. 
Whether  the  English  expedition  to  Louis- 
iana had  any  connection  with  that  design,  I 
am  not  informed.  A  former  French  charge 
d'afixiires  in  this  country,  directed  to  pre- 
vent the  marriage  of  Jerome  Bonaparte  to  an 


American  wife,  Pichon,  not  succeeding  in 
that  undertaking,  incurred  tho  dinploasuro 
of  Napoleon,  and  from  that  estrangement 
became  gradually  alienated,  till  at  last  ho 
threw  himself  under  the  protection  of  tho 
Bourbons.  By  his  disclosure  to  one  of  tho 
attendants  of  the  Ghent  mission,  our  go- 
vernment was  given  to  understand  that 
tho  Spanish  applied  to  tho  French  Bour- 
bons for  co-operation  in  the  project  of  dis- 
fwssessing  tl\e  United  States  of  Now  Or- 
eans,  and  establishing  there  a  centre  of 
counteraction  against  all  further  South 
American  and  Mexican  revolutions.  Tho 
French  government,  however,  did  not  feel 
strong  enough  to  espouse  so  expensive 
and  precarious  a  contest,  and  it  was  relin- 
quished. 

I  cannot  assort  that  such  a  Spanish  de- 
sign was  entertained  in  1814;  and  am  not 
aware  that  Mr.  Madison's  administration 
was  advised  of  it  by  any  of  his  ministers  at 
the  time  in  France ;  my  information  coming 
from  another  source.  But  of  the  know- 
ledge and  assent  of  that  administration  to 
another,  as  it  had  reason  to  believe,  Spanish 
design  on  Louisiana,  I  am  so  well  assured 
as  to  append  it  to  that  first  mentioned, 
though  it  did  not  occur  till  shortly  after  the 

{eriod  of  my  narrative,  in  tho  autumn  of 
816. 

While  General  Jackson  was  commander 
of  the  South  Western  military  division  of  tho 
United  States,  with  his  heail  quarters  near 
Nashville,  and  Colonel  Jessup,  stationed  at 
Baton  Rouge,  with  the  first  regiment  and 
parts  of  some  others,  in  immediate  military 
command  of  New  Orleans,  and  the  shores  of 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  a  respectable  Roman 
Catholic  clergyman,  Father  Antoino,  and 
Col.  Poire,  who  inmanded  tho  seventh  regi- 
ment of  UniteJ  >^  <:  tes  infantry  at  the  battles 
of  New  Orleans,  confidentially  informed 
Colonel  Jessup  that  a  Spanish  attempt  was 
on  foot  for  the  forcible  seizure  of  that  city, 
by  an  army  to  be  convej'cd  from  Cuba  with 
that  intent.  Tho  Spanish  population  of 
Louisiana,  supposed  to  be  still  attached  to 
Spain,  were  sounded,  through  some  of  whom 
Father  Antoine  obtained  and  communicated 
the  information.  With  General  Jackson's 
approbation,  and  without  President  Madi- 
son's disapproval,  measures  were  therefore 
taken  by  the  American  local  commanders, 
in  concert  with  Governor  Claiborne,  of  Lou- 
isiana, Governor  Holmes,  of  tho  Mississippi 
Territory,  and  Commodore  Patterson,  who 
commanded  that  naval  station,  to  counteract 
the  threatened  Spanish  invasion,  by  simulta- 
neous seizure  of  the  island  of  Cuba.  While 
tho  militia  were  to  defend  Louisiana  from 
the  Spanish  invasion,  all  the  regular  forces 
of  the  army  and  navy  that  could  be  col- 
lected, twonty-five  hundred  volunteers,  un- 
der General  Hinds,  from  Mississippi,  and 
the  same  number  f-om  Louisiana,  so  as  to 
constitute  an  army  ten  thousand  strong, 


f 


208 


GHENT. 


[1814. 


wcro  to  bo  cmbnrkud  for  Havana,  whon- 
ovor  there  was  reason  to  believe  tliat  tlic 
Spanish  army  of  invasion  was  coming  from 
Cuba.  Secret  a>;onta  were  sent  to  Havana, 
who  brouj^ht  back  preoiso  accounts  of  the 
state  of  tli«5  troops  and  fortifications  there, 
of  wliieli  the  most  accurate  details  wore  in 
possession  of  the  American  officers.  Their 
condition  was  believed  to  be  such  as  that 
they  must  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  force  in- 
tended to  seize  them.  Should  Spain  invade 
Louisiana,  it  was  deemed  constitutional  and 
politic  to  repel,  by  simultaneous  seizure  of 
the  ))laoo  of  Spanish  armament  and  depar- 
ture, as  Scipio  defended  Rome  by  carrying 
the  war  into  Africa.  President  Matfison 
was  officially  informed  of  the  apprehenued 
Spanish  invasion,  and  intended  American 
counteraction,  and  did  not  forbid  it.  It 
may  have  been  his  opinion,  that  the  Execu- 
tive may  lawfully  repel  invasion  when  im- 
minent, by  counter  invasion,  without  an  act 
of  Congress  declaring  war.  It  was  a  dream 
of  Jefferson's  far-sighted  genius  that  all 
North  America,  from  Davis'  Straits  to  the 
Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  including  all  the  West 
Indies,  will  eventually  compose  republican 
United  States,  under  the  same  federal  head, 
with  perfectly  free  trade  among  all,  by 
which  means  American  war  would  cease, 
w^ith  the  most  prolific  causes  of  it.  Hamil- 
ton likewise  contemplated  vast  extent  for 
this  country.  Much  and  marvelously  Ims 
been  alrcatly  realized,  and  in  no  instance 
has  extension  of  American  territory  been 
the  result  of  a  mere  spirit  of  aggrandize- 
ment or  conquest.  Louisiana,  Florida, 
Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  California,  have 
not  been  incorporated  with  these  United 
States,  without  hostile  European  occasion  for 
it.  Spain,  by  transactions  in  Florida,  and 
designs  on  Louisiana,  has  done  much  more 
io.justify  American  attraction  of  Cuba,  than 
this  country  has  to  disturb  Spanish  sove- 
reignty there. 

The  Russian  mediation  being  unexpected- 
ly rejected  by  England,  but  with  an  intima- 
tion that  she  would  listen  to  terms  of  peace 
not  inconsistent  with  what  were  calletf,  and 
too  generally  conceded,  to  be  her  maritime 
rights,  elsewhere  than  at  St.  Petersburg,  Oot- 
tenburg  was  suggested  as  a  convenient 
place,  and  the  King  of  Sweden,  Charles 
the  Thirteenth,  was  flattered  that  his  terri- 
tory was  to  be  the  place  of  negotiation.  He 
had  previously  commissioned  a  minister, 
Kantsow,  to  the  United  States,  whom  Pre- 
Bident  Madison  endeavored  to  reciprocate 
by  nominating  Jonathan  Ilussell  as  envoy 
extraordinary  to  Sweden;  but  the  Senate  re- 
jected that  nomination.  In  January,  1814, 
when  it  was  believed  that  the  Russian  me- 
diation was  at  an  end,  but  that  still  there 
was  a  hope  of  peace,  and  as  Mr.  Gallatin, 
also  rejected  by  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  Bayard, 
were  supposed  to  bo  on  their  way  homo, 


Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Russell  wore  appointed 
with  Mr.  Adams  to  the  second  mission, 
whose  meeting  was  to  bo  at  Oottenburg, 
and  Jlr.  Russell  also  minister  to  Sweden. 
While  St.  Petersburg  was  contemplated 
as  the  place  of  the  meeting  of  the  minis- 
ters, the  American  consul  there,  Levitt 
Harris,  was  commissioned  Boeretary  of  the 
legation.  When  that  was  no  longer  to  bo 
the  place,  but  Mr.  Adams  still  was  to  be  a 
member  of  the  mission,  Mr.  Harris,  by  di- 
rection of  the  President,  was  appointed 
charge  d'affaires  in  Russia,  during  Mr. 
Adams' absence  from  that  country,  and  Mr. 
Christopher  Hughes  was  appoiuted  scirc- 
tary  of  the  legation. 

On  the  27th  Februarv,  1814,  Mr.  Clay 
and  Mr.  Russell,  with  Mr.  Hughes,  accom- 
panied by  William  Shaler,  as  a  confidential 
and  secret  agent  of  government,  and  Henry 
Carroll,  as  unofficial  secretary  or  companion 
of  Mr.  Clay,  sailed  from  New  York  in  the 
John  Adams  sloop-of-war.  After  a  tempest- 
uous passage  in  that  frail  vessel,  and  inhos- 
pitable reception  in  the  Texel,  where  they 
first 'nadeEurope,thovlanded  at  Gottenburg, 
to  bo  first  informed  there  of  the  prodigious 
successes  of  Great  Britain  and  nor  allies, 
wliich  took  place  after  they  left  America,  in 
the  capture  and  peace  of  Paris.  Hearing,  at 
London,  of  the  arrival  of  an  American  sliip 
with  peace  commissioners  at  Gottenburg, 
Mr.  Gallatin  and  Mr,  Bayard  sent  Mr.  Bay- 
ard's unoflTicial  secretary,  George  Milligan, 
to  ascertain  whether  it  was  so,  and  what  were 
their  instructions,  with  whom  Mr.  Hughes 
repaired  to  London,  taking  tho  new  com- 
missions of  the  envoys  there.  The  peace 
commission  then  consisted  of  the  five  gen- 
tlemen, Mr.  Adams,  Mr.  Bayard,  Mr.  Clay, 
Mr.  Russell  and  Mr.  Gallatin ;  attended  by 
the  President's  step-son,  Mr.  Payne  Todf, 
Mr.  George  Dallas,  George  Milligan  and 
Henry  Carroll;  British  commissioners  be- 
ing appointed,  and  Ghent  selected  as  tho 
place  of  meeting. 

Ghent,  a  Belgian  city  of  some  seventy  or 
eighty  thousand  inhabitants,  between  tho 
rivers  Scheldt  and  Lys,  not  far  from  the  sea, 
was  then  occupied  by  British  troops,  com- 
manded by  Sir  Edward  Lyons,  whoso  only 
knowledge  of  America  was  that  his  father 
was  killed  in  tho  battle  of  Bunker-hill. 
Tho  American  ministers  had  been  there 
some  time,  waiting  for  the  English,  who  did 
not  arrive  till  after  their  coming  was  long 
anxiously  expected.  Admiral  Lord  Gam- 
bier,  the  chief  of  the  mission,  was  a  retired 
naval  oflicer,  of  no  very  marked  character. 
William  Adams  was  an  admiralty  lawyer, 
with  all  the  preconceived  opinions,  and  not 
much  more  tlian  tho  learning,  of  Doctors' 
Commons.  Mr.  Henry  Gouldburn,  the  only 
publicist  of  that  side,  was  a  young  man,  con- 
nected with  a  noble  family,  training  to  states- 
manship, since  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer. 
The  fooling  in  England  toward  thia  country 


Chap.  XIII.] 


THE  COMMISSIONEnS. 


299 


waH  almost  universal  anf^er,  avorsion  and 
oontompt,  woU  reproHonted  by  tho  English 
mission  at  Oliont,  wliich  soemud  to  bo  chos- 
en not  from  any  distinguisliud  capacity, 
experience  or  fitness  for  their  functions,  but 
because  the  ministry  were  resolveil  to  con- 
duct tlie  negotiations  tlieniselves,  from  Lon- 
don, and  to  open  them  arbitrarily  and  in- 
flexibly, with  such  lofty  demands  as  con- 
sisted with  universal  English  sentiment,  that 
such  demands  might  bo  dictated  through  any 
agents,  and  would  bo  at  once  unhesitatinglv 
conceded.  Tho  secretary  of  tho  British 
legation,  Anthony  St.  John  liaker,  was  tho 
consul-general  detected  in  the  distribution 
of  trading  licenses  at  Washington,  when  war 
was  declared.  On  the  other  hand,  the  United 
States  fortified  themselves  for  the  negotia- 
tion by  some  of  their  ablest  men ;  Mr. 
Adams,  educated  and  practiced  in  diplom- 
ocy,  Mr.  Gallatin,  familiar  with  tho  mari- 
time and  commercial  questions  to  be  dis- 
cussed, Mr.  Bayard  and  Mr.  Clay,  distin- 
guished and  experienced  members  of  Con- 
gross,  and  Mr.  Russell,  who,  as  charge 
a'atfaires,  first  at  Paris,  when  so  loft  there 
by  CJeneral  Armstrong,  and  afterwards  at 
London,  when  war  was  declared,  had  com- 
raended  himself  to  respect  by  the  adroit- 
ness, firmness,  and  manliness  with  which 
he  performed  his  delicate  and  diflicult 
offices.     ILiving  been   appointed  minister 

E''jnipotentiary  to  Sweden,  ho  visited  Stock- 
olm,  and  presented  his  credentials  there 
prior  to  joining  his  colleagues  at  Ghent. 

Of  such  antagonists  in  the  discussions  to 
be  entered  upon,  it  needs  no  American  pre- 
judice to  aver,  what  the  Marquis  of  Wel- 
lesley  mentioned  in  tho  House  of  Lords, 
that  tho  correspondence  of  the  American 
commissioners  was  obviously  superior  to 
that  of  tho  English;  which  was  stated 
when  he  must  have  known  that  tho  Eng- 
lish commissioners  wcro  kept  always  ad- 
vised by  tho  cabinet;  in  London,  and 
uniformly  waited  for  instructions  across 
the  Channel  before  they  ventured  to  an- 
swer any  American  letter:  which  was 
tho  invariable  course  of  tho  negotiations. 
The  ministers  of  both  parties  met  together 
at  a  ])lace  and  time  appointed,  orally  made 
their  suggestions  and  objections  as  either  one 
thought  proper,  which  were  minuted  by  tho 
secretaries,  Mr.  Hughes  and  Mr.  Baker, 
and  followed  by  letters  as  deemed  expedi- 
ent ;  but  no  American  letter  was  answered 
till  after  the  interval  necessary  for  the  En- 
glish commissioners  to  send  it  to  London, 
and  get  the  answer  there  given  by  the 
cabinet.  Tho  American  envoys  had  no 
such  advantage.  Three  thousand  miles 
from  their  government,  they  were  obliged 
to  act  on  such  original  instructions  as  were 
taken  with  them,  or  wait  many  weeks  for 
further  orders  when  indispensable.  But  it 
was  one  of  the  beneficial  results  of  Ameri- 
can transatlantic  distance  and  weakness, 


both  before  and  soon  after  national  indo* 
[lendence,  when  tho  United  States  wore 
more  dependent  on  reason  than  strength, 
and  tho  pen  was  a  more  available  instru- 
ment than  the  sword,  it  was  indispen- 
saJde  to  send  none  but  superior  men  to 
Europe  on  foreign  missions.  Wherefore 
Franklin,  John  Adams,  Jay  and  Joil'crsoii 
were  employed  to  institute  that  escellont 
American  dmlomacy,  which  for  many  years 
distinguished  the  United  States;  lengthy 
and  argumcatative,  as  is  tho  method  of 
those  whose  state  ])a])crs  are  subjected  to 
popular  judgment,  but  arguments  in  which 
the  vindication  of  nations  is  couched.     By 

Cutting  off  peace  from  April,  lt<14,  when 
y  the  cessation  of  war  in  Europe  all  cause 
for  it  in  America  ceased  likewise,  till 
March,  1815,  nearly  eleven  months  given 
to  vengeance,  conquest  and  aggrandize- 
ment, tims  deferring  tho  treaty  of  Ghent, 
Great  Britain  provoked  the  triumphs  of 
American  negotiati'Mus  in  Europe  as  signal 
as  those  of  Amuricui.  irms  at  the  same  time 
in  America.  The  palm  of  victory  which 
was  not  denied  at  I'luttsburg,  Now  Orleans, 
and  other  fields  of  military  glory,  was  con- 
ceded also  in  Westminster  to  that  of  diplo- 
macy at  Ghent,  and  the  retribution  of  such 
successes,  intellectual  and  martial,  of  the 
weak  over  the  strong,  is  one  of  the  most 
memorable  occurrences  of  that  year;  tho 
European  effect  of  which  has  been  enjoyed 
in  such  American  peace  and  prosperity  as 
no  peace  could  have  occasioned  without 
such  triumphs. 

It  is  delicate  and  invidious  truth  to  add, 
that  of  the  five  American  commissioners, 
there  was  probably  only  one  inflexibly  re- 
solved on  yielding  nothing.  It  should  not 
disparage  Mr.  Adams,  Mr.  Gallatin,  Mr. 
Bayard  and  Mr.  Ilussell,  to  say,  that,  imbued 
as  they  were  from  residence  and  associations 
with  the  commercial  deferences  of  this 
country  for  England,  no  lack  of  spirit,  pa- 
triotism or  wisdom  is  imputable  to  any  ono 
of  them  who,  on  some  of  the  questions  to  bo 
passed  upon,  might  incline  to  compromise 
with  what  seemed  inevitable  to  save  their 
country  from  great  distress  and  calamity. 
Mr.  Gallatin's  London  letter  of  May,  1814, 
shows  that  he  did  not  expect  any  British 
concession,  though  no  one,  as  will  appear, 
was  more  prompter  determined  to  reject  in- 
tolerable exaction.  Mr.  Adams,  equally  te- 
nacious of  American  rights,  was  neverthe- 
less apprehensive  of  American  inability  to 
maintain  them,  as  betrayed  by  his  letter  from 
Ghent  to  Levitt  Harris  at  St.  Petersburg, 
which  dospondingly  inquired,  "  with  threo 
frigates  for  a  navy  and  five  regiments  for 
an  army,  what  can  be  expected  but  defeat 
and  disgrace?"  Mr.  Bayard  on  all  occa- 
sions evinced  his  strong  American  feelings; 
and  Mr.  Ilussell,  not  only  of  the  war  and 
administration  party,  was  resolute  to  main- 
tain the  position  which  alono  could  save  them 


ti 


V 


\     ta 


ij 


300 


ENGLISH  IflNORANCE  OF  AMERICA. 


[1814. 


from  (linj^raoo.  ButnllthoHn  gontloinonworc 
undor  tho  Atlantiu  inHiu<iic(>!i  of  ii  coniinor- 
ciiil  nation,  which  hcMoui  tond  to  thu  loftioitt 
patriotinni.  Thoro  waH  no  nicnilmr  ol"  the 
Amorican  lojjation  who  did  not  duapiso  tho 
capitulation  of  tho  Boston  prcsH,  (jiiotod  in 
another  part  of  this  Hlcotidi,  that  tho  UritiHh 
torniH  tirHt  dictatod  sini'  qua  noit  wonhl  and 
ou^lit  to  ho  aci|ui(*sco(l  in,  and  that  it  wan 
Fourth  of  fluly  funtian  to  troat  them  at* 
inHiiltin^.  No  nioinhor  of  tiio  h>);atiun 
hcnitatdd  to  rojcct,  to  ropcl  and  to  n-Hont 
do^^radin^;  toruiH.  But  thuro  wan  one  alone 
with  ultramontane,  transall(>;<;hnnian  in- 
stinotH  of  uncompromising  roHistanco  to 
any  British  exaction,  an  Hovcral  years  after- 
wards partially  appeared  in  print ;  that 
one,  as  Lord  Oastlereagh  called  him,  was 
tho  Kontuckian,  Mr.  Clay,  whoso  social 
independence  that  polished,  iron-nerved 
and  ele)j;ant  courtier  is  said  to  have  pre- 
ferred, when  after  peace  he  entertained 
them  all  in  London,  to  the  endowments  of 
his  more  cultivated  and  accomplished  col- 
lean;uefl.  For  as  for  war,  so  for  diplomacy, 
for  oratory,  even  for  society,  there  is  ge- 
nius which  outstrips  tho  endowments  of 
culture.  Born  on  the  Atlantic  shore,  and 
bred  in  seaports,  where  with  every  im- 
portation come,  like  ship-fevers,  unwhole- 
some intluences,  lot  us  confess  that  heyond 
tho  mountains  man  becomes  a  noblor  re- 
puhlican,  ruder  perhaps  of  speech,  garb 
an<l  manner,  but  patriot  as  women  are 
chaste,  not  by  reason  or  education,  but  by 
instinct. 

Not  till  the  3(1  of  August,  1814,  when 
tho  British  forces,  expedited  from  Franco, 
Spain,  England  and  Ireland,  had  arrived 
in  great  numbers  in  America,  and  the  three 
armies  destined  to  defeat  at  Baltimore, 
Plattsburg  and  New  Orleans,  were  far  on 
their  way  to  anticipated  conquests,  besides 
that  of  the  Penobscot,  then  also  in  opera- 
tion, did  tho  British  legation  leavo  London 
for  Ghent.  Their  departure,  when  British 
invasions  of  America  wore  all  in  the  ecsta- 
sies of  achievement,  was  thus  heralded  by 
tho  London  Courier,  tho  official  paper,  of 
Ist  August,  1814.  "Upon  prospects  of 
peace  with  America,  we  are  not  so  san- 
guine as  some  of  our  ootemporaries.  Tho 
American  commission  was  first  issued 
upon  designs  of  chicanery.  It  first  sought 
the  mediation  of  Russia,  or  rather  its  pro- 
tection to  the  principle  that  free  bottoms 
make  free  goods,  hoping  to  draw  tho  Court 
of  St.  Petersburg  into  a  quarrel  with  us 
upon  tho  old  question  of  neutral  bottoms, 
wnich  Russia  and  the  northern  powers 
espoused  so  zealously  thirty  years  ago. 
This  was  a  trick  of  Bonaparte's,  who  em- 
ployed America  to  ombroil  Russia  and 
England  at  the  moment  he  made  his  grand 
attack  upon  the  former,  two  years  ago. 
The  Emperor  of  Russia  referred  the  over- 
tures to  England,  which  could  do  no  less 


than  express  a  desire  of  peace  with  A  me- 
rioa  ;  neither  could  tho  American  coninuH- 
sioners  do  loss  than  cxpreNs  a  similar  dt>Hirc, 
Hence  arose  a  proposed  meeting  of  negoti- 
ators on  each  wide,  which  was  but  little 
attended  to  by  either,  each  knowing  tlmt 
nothing  could  foUow  from  it,  and  (be  Ame- 
ricans being  chagrined  at  the  failure  of  tjioir 
insidious  designs.  Now  that  America  is 
stripped  of  all  hope  of  assistance,  now  that 
the  Corsittan  is  annihilated,  the  same  com- 
mission of  negotiators  may  at  Inst  be  earnest, 
if  they  are  provided  with  sufficient  powers. 
But  however  magnanimous  it  may  bo  in 
the  Regent  t(»  dechvro  his  wi»h  for  peace 
on  terms  honorable  to  both  parties,  we  liojie 
it  will  not  be  mado  on  terms  cquaUii  honora- 
ble to  both  parties.  Let  tho  guilty  pay 
some  forfeit  for  their  offence.  We  lo«>k  ra- 
ther to  tho  prosecution  of  the  war  with 
vigor." 

Tho  stolid  ignorance  of  loading  English 
statesmen  concerning  this  country  needed 
defeat  to  make  them  wiser,  as  much  ns 
wo  did  to  render  us  independent  of  their 
influence.  In  tho  debate  in  the  House  of 
Lords,  vindicating  tho  capture  of  Wash- 
ington, the  Karl  of  Liverpool,  long  the 
substantial  and  most  reliable  minister  of 
tho  crown,  said  that  ho  had  "seen  much 
stronger  justification  of  the  conduct  of 
his  majesty's  forces  at  Washington,  pub- 
lished in  America,  than  any  that  had  been 
published  even  in  England.  Not  only  were 
the  Americans  not  more  hostile  to  us,"  said 
his  lordship  to  the  peers  of  Groat  Britain, 
"since  that  event,  but  tho  reverse  is  tho 
case.  In  places  whero  tho  British  arms 
have  been  successful,  tho  people  have  shown 
themselves  in  our  favor,  and  seemed  well 
disposed  to  put  themselves  under  our  pro- 
tection," Such  slander  of  nearly  all  tho 
American  nation  was  taught  tho  English 
government  by  tho  pusillanimous  neglect 
or  determination  of  tho  government  of 
Massachusetts  respecting  tho  eastern  part 
of  that  State,  conquered  and  hold  by  Bri- 
tish masters,  from  a  community  too  well 
described  by  Lord  Liverpool  as  "  well  dis- 
posed to  put  themselves  under  British  pro- 
tection." It  was  credibly  reported  at  Paris 
that,  when  informed  of  tho  burning  of  Wash- 
ington, Lord  Castleroagh  said  that  was  not 
tho  only  American  town  to  be  taken  and 
perhaps  burned ;  that  several  others,  and 
among  them  New  Orleans,  must  pass  under 
the  yoke,  and  the  Americans  be  so  environed 
by  British  troops,  from  tho  mouth  of  tho 
IVtississippi  to  the  falls  of  Niagara,  as  to  bo 
little  better  than  prisoners  at  large  in  their 
own  deserts.  One  of  tho  lords  of  the  ad- 
miralty. Sir  Joseph  Yorke,  was  reported  by 
the  London  journals,  to  the  great  delight 
of  nearly  all  England,  to  havo  said  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  "  We  have  President 
Madison  to  depose  before  wo  can  lay  down 
our  arms."    "Peace,"  said  the  Times  news- 


peon 
ass! 


CnAP.  XIII.] 


BRITISH  JOURNALS. 

— » — 


801 


piiftnr,  "botwoon  Oroat  Rrltiiin  nnd  tlic 
IJiiiti'd  HtiitcM  Clin  nowlwrd  \>^^  properly 
miitlo  l)»t  in  Anierita.  Tho  (Mint'i'rr'iircN 
niUHt  1)1)  ciirritMl  on  at  New  York  or  IMiilii- 
dolpliiti,  liiiviiifj;  proviouNly  fixoil  tlicrc  tlii! 
h(Mnl-(|iiartt'rH(ifii  I'ictonor  ii  ilill."  "The 
wivr,"  Kiiiil  Coblictt,  "is  iilniost  univorHiiliy 
I>u|)uliir.  It  is  tho  war  of  tlio  Timos  nnd 
thi)  ('ourior.  Tiio  |)r<'Hs  lias  workod  up  tiio 
people  to  tlio  war  jiitcdi,  and  there  it  keeps 
tiieiii."  After  Madison  exposed  tlieir  first 
demands  ut  (iiieiit,  whieli  tlio  Times  called 
"  the  means  of  uniting  the  whole  Ameriium 
people  aj;ainst  us,"  (Johhett  replied,  "  You 
nss!  they  were  united  before,  except  a 
handful  of  Serene  liiglincsses  and  Cossacks 
in  Massachusetts,  the  nc(|uaintanuesofJidin 
Henry."  Intoxicated  l»y  Napoleon's  down- 
fall nnd  tho  suhjnjiation  of  France,  tho  mo- 
narch of  tho  British  press,  tho  London 
Times,  proclaimed  "  No  ])eaee  with  Madison 
as  with  llonaparto.  I'art  of  our  army  in 
Franco  will  he  immediately  transferred  to 
America,  to  finish  tho  war  there  with  the 
same  glory  as  in  Europe,  and  to  place  the 

Keacc  on  a  footing  equally  firm  and  strong, 
iow  that  the  tyrant  Bonaparte  has  been 
consigned  to  infamy,  there  is  no  feeling 
stronger  in  this  country  than  indignation 
iigainst    the    Americans.     Tho    American 

fjovernmcnt  iij  as  much  of  n  tyranny  as 
lis  was.  Hatred  of  Fjngland  is  tho  fun- 
damental point  of  Madison's  policy,  the 
ostensible  organ  of  a  party,  all  whose 
thoughts  and  feelings  nro  guided  by  thnt 
mast<'r  key.  He  himself,  on  the  occasion 
of  Jay's  treaty,  laid  it  down  ns  nn  axiom 
that  no  treaty  should  bo  made  with  the 
oneniy  of  France.  Yfiung  as  is  tho  Ame- 
rican Republic,  it  already  has  indulged 
in  dreams  of  groat  ambition,  and  dreads 
nny  power  that  stands  in  tho  way  of 
umversa'.  ambition.  Their  design  in  this 
war  was  to  sap  tho  foundation  of  our  na- 
tional greatness  by  denying  tho  allegiance 
of  our  sailors,  seize  on  our  American  colo- 
nies, and  thus  pavo  tho  way  to  our  West 
India  possessions.  Now  that  tho  republic 
has  lost  her  French  bu(!kler,  Najmlcon, 
shall  we  have  tho  folly  to  lot  her  off?  Wo 
have  wrested  the  dagger  from  tho  assassin, 
shall  wo  give  it  back  to  him  to  sheatho  ? 
No.  In  his  very  last  speech  Madison  has 
furnished  us  with  a  rule  of  conduct,  viz. 
not  oiili/  to  chastise  the  smmrjes  Into  jteriiianenl 
peace.  Out  make  a  lastinrf  impression  on  their 
fears.  [Applied  by  tho  President  to  Jack- 
son's conquest  of  tho  (^reok  Indians.  |  The 
Kastorn,  which  nro  tho  most  moral,  intelli- 
gent, and  respectable  States,  are  reduced  to 
complete  thraldom  by  tho  Southern.  The 
small  States,  said  Fisher  Amos,  aro  in  vas- 
salago  to  the  rod  of  Virginia.  Tho  Consti- 
tution sleeps  with  Washington,  with  no 
mourners  but  tho  virtuous,  or  monument 
but  history.  If  that  was  true  before  the 
acquisition  of  Louisiana,  how  much  more 


so  now,  since  that  aildition  has  broken  down 
tho  balance  between  the  States,  and  poured 
an  irresistible  streiim  of  corrupt  injliient'o 
into  *'i.t  executive  channel.  And  ihis  Sinilh- 
em  |ireponderance  is  made  by  slaves.  Tho 
slave  owner  is  generally  a  democrat,  and 
flemocrats  are  the  most  servile  supportc'rs 
of  tyrants.  Tho  free  and  honest  States 
must  then  be  seiiarated  from  the  treacherous 
individual  who  lias  dragged  themrelucliintly 
into  this  war.  WIkmi  wo  speiik  of  Madison, 
however,  we  mean  his  whole  facticm.  (ial- 
latin  may  be  more  artful.  Clay  more  furious, 
Jett'erson  more  malignant.  There  is  a  fe- 
rocious banditti  of  them,  of  whom,  perhaps, 
Madison  himself  stands  iji  awe:  Irish  trait- 
ors, fugitive  bankrupts  ami  swindlers,  ex- 
ceeding the  native  Americans  in  rancor 
against  Croat  Britain.  There  nro  sonio 
respectable  Americans.  Fisher  Ames,  lit- 
tle known  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  was 
an  American  llurke.  Madison's  Cenerals 
Dearborn,  Wilkinson,  nnd  Hampton,  by 
their  ridiculous  blunders,  have  thrown  ridi- 
cule on  tho  concjuest  of  '  ,iiiii(hi.  Then 
cullies  the  overthrow  of  his  great  patron, 
attended  with  the  execration  and  scorn  of 
all  Kurope.  A  vigorous  eflbrt  on  our  part 
will  annihilate  a  faction  alike  hostile  to 
liritain  nnd  fatal  to  America.  Is  not  tho 
time  propitious  for  uniting  at  least  tho 
sounder  and  better  part  of  tho  Americans 
to  a  union  of  interests  with  tho  country 
from  which  they  sprung?"' 

In  such  universal  strain  of  malicious 
prejudice  and  stupid  ignorance,  the  Bri- 
tish press  and  Parliament  counseled  war, 
stripped  of  alt  its  humani/.ing  mitigations, 
naked  and  ferocious  war,  to  reconquer  the 
United  States  by  divisions  and  invasion; 
war  of  principle-^  and  institutions ;  civil 
war  in  its  woi-.st  outrages ;  nnd  servilo 
war  with  nil  its  Roman  horrors :  In  which 
atrocious  instigations  is  perceptible  not 
only  tho  English  design  of  that  day,  but 
the  English  intlucnco  which  still  prevails 
throughout  Now  England,  infiaming  it. 
under  tho  disguise  of  negrophilism,  to  un- 
natural and  suicidal  nntipathioa  against 
Southern  folio w-coiintrymen. 

Just  then  an  English  renegade,  onco  an 
English  common  siddior,  then  American 
journalist,  vilifying  everything  American, 
whoso  Porcnpino  shafts  wore  continually 
aimed  at  Mr.  (Jallatin,  from  fiaming  loyalist, 
become  furious  radical,  Cobbett,  stooil  up  in 
the  midst  of  Ilampsliiro,  in  tho  heart  of  Eng- 
land, a  volunteer  American  champion,  when 
there  was  no  American  inducement  to  his 
vehement  e^spousal  of  our  cause.  With 
tho  superior  knowledge,  derived  from  long 
residence,  of  tho  institutions,  people  and 
resources  of  this  country,  ho  wielded 
coarse,  pure,  Saxon  English,  with  tho  force 
of  Swift  or  Paine,  in  American  vindica- 
tion, striking  with  a  pen  like  a  sledgc- 
I  hammer,  and  always  hitting  in  tlie  right 


W. 


302 


h.'sl 


mi 


place.  Pitt,  Pcrcival,  and  afterwards  Cas 
tlorcaf^h,  successive  English  premiers,  who 
all  died  l)y  political  excesses,  once  ob- 
jects of  his  excessive  applause,  became 
butts  of  his  withering  ridicule,  and  marks 
of  his  deadly  blows,  America  erst  abomi- 
nftted,  at  last  his  delight ;  sturdy  English 
volunteer,  proclaiming  the  justice  of  our 
cause,  the  fortitude  of  our  people,  their  re- 
publican attachments  and  unconquerable 
union  in  spite  of  prefatory  reverses,  super- 
ficial and  party  divisions.  When  the  Bour- 
bon restoration  was  a  fact  accomplished,  and 
the  Times  and  other  English  journals  pro- 
claimed that  twenty-five  thousand  of  Wel- 
lington's veteran  troops  were  to  bo  trans- 
ferred to  America,  to  finish  the  war  as  in 
France,  and  with  the  same  glory,  Cobbett, 
from  his  rustic  sequestration,  rebuked  them 
in  tones  of  contemptuous  defiance,  which 
reverberated  throughout  the  four  corners  of 
this  wide  confederacy.  "Our  quarrel,"  said 
he,  "  with  America,  ceases  with  the  war 
[Orders  in  Council  repealed,  and  no  occa^ 
sion  or  pretext,  if  even  pretended,  right  of 
impressment  in  time  oi  peace.]  But  the 
American  government  and  President  are 
bad,  and  must  be  put  down.  For  that  the 
war  is  to  be  continued,  and  no  peace  till 
then.  I  acknowledge  that  a  war  to  recolo- 
nize  America  will  be  the  most  popular  ever 
waged,  at  least  for  a  while.  Peace  and  re- 
duction of  our  forces  will  ruin  so  many, 
who  are  all,  men,  families,  women  and 
children,  clergymen  and  all  for  war,  as  tin- 
dertakers  are  for  deaths,  and  with  as  little 
malice  in  their  motives.  The  farmers  are 
for  war,  because  they  think  it  makes  corn 
dear.  The  land-owners,  generally,  because 
they  think  it  keeps  up  rents.  The  ship- 
owners and  navigation  interest,  because  in 
peace  the  Americans  rival  them  with  cheap- 
er shipping.  The  manufacturers  expect  a 
monopoly  instead  of  rivalship  of  American 
manufactures,  if  the  United  States  are  re- 
covered by  Great  Britain.  The  stockhold- 
ers hope  to  make  America  contribute  to 
pay  the  national  debt.  Politicians  see  in 
America  a  dangerous  maritime  rival  grow- 
ing, like  their  Indian  corn,  prodigiously  yet 
imperceptibly.  And  fifty  fallen  Napoleons 
cannot  wash  out  the  shame  of  their  losing 
such  colonies.  English  high-minded  pa- 
triots cling  to  Great  Britain's  supremacy  as 
mistress  of  the  seas.  Other  Englishmen 
hate  America,  because  free,  and  the  asylum 
for  the  oppressed  of  this  and  other  coun- 
tries; a  country  without  sinecures,  pensions, 
tithes,  and  hardly  any  taxes ;  where  corrup- 
tion and  bribery  are  unknown,  and  putting 
a  criminal  to  death  as  rare  as  an  eclipse  of 
the  sun.  These  English  look  on  America  as 
Satan  did  on  Eden,  not  with  envy,  but 
with  deadly  hate,  to  exterminate,  burn  and 
destroy  it.  American  happiness  sears  their 
eyeballs.  They  dread  what  they  deem  the 
diaorgonising  principles  of  America.  They 


COBBETT. 


[18U. 


have  the  press  In  their  hands,  and  control 
the  prejudices  and  passions.  For  these  self- 
ish reasons,  I  believe  [said  Cobbett]  the 
war  will  be  popular.  But  whether  it  will  suc- 
ceed, is  a  very  different  question:  and  I  warn 
ministers  and  the  Prince  Regent  against 
being  warped  by  such  notions,  proceeding 
from  the  selfishness  of  some  and  rage  of 
others.  I  confess  the  time  is  propitious. 
Not  only  have  we  the  best  army  in  the 
world,  made  of  the  best  stuff",  commanded 
by  the  best  officers ;  bid  we  do  not  knoio  tchat 
to  do  with  them ;  and  for  a  year  they  must 
cost  as  much  in  peace  as  war.  AN  c  have 
more  than  ships  of  war  enough  to  carry 
them  all  over  the  Atlantic,  without  employ- 
ing a  single  transport.  In  the  whole  world 
there  is  no  fleet  but  ours:  and  France, 
Spain  and  Holland  have  enough  to  do  at 
home  for  some  years.  We  can  lay  waste 
the  American  sea  coasts,  and  at  first  beat 
them  in  fi-ery  rencontre,  demolish  some  of 
their  towns,  and  force  Congress  to  change 
their  quarters.  But  the  fall  of  Napoleon, 
the  language,  threats  and  attempt  of  En- 
gland will  unite  the  Americans  of  all  par- 
ties in  resistance  to  us.  When  their  go- 
vernment is  to  be  forcibly  subverted,  as  ad- 
vertised in  the  Times  and  other  English 
journals,  the  Americans,  instead  of  being 
divided,  as  those  journals  predict,  will  be 
alarmed  and  united.  They  do  not  want  to 
see  what  has  taken  place  in  France,  under 
our  arms,  a  restoration.  Fisher  Ames  is 
complimented  by  the  Times  as  the  Burke 
of  America.  I  dare  say  he  would  like  to 
get  a  good  pension.  Poor  driveling  hank- 
erer  after  aristocracy,  his  party  wished  to 
establish  a  sort  of  petty  noblesse.  But  the 
people  took  the  alarm  and  put  them  out  of 
power,  since  when  they  have  been  trying 
to  tear  the  vitals  out  of  their  country.  The 
fall  of  Napoleon  will  leave  them  nothing  to 
scold  about:  and  the  American  people  will 
be  roused,  when  they  hear  that  their  go- 
vernment is  to  be  treated  like  his.  Look 
here,  Jeff'erson's  folh^wers  will  say,  the  first 
fruit  of  French'  overthrow  is  to  "bo  that  of 
this  country.  If  all  parties  unite  there,  ten 
such  armies  as  we  may  send,  the  bravest  and 
best  disciplined,  will  fail.  We  may  destroy 
their  corn-fields,  factories,  mills,  shipping, 
and  no  doubt  tear  the  country  a  good  deal 
to  pieces.  Yet  even  by  adding  another 
eight  hundred  millions  to  our  debt,  I  do 
not  believe  that  we  can  gain  a  single  colony 
from  the  United  States  of  America.  Napo- 
leon's was  no  representative  or  popular  go- 
vernment as  the  Americans'  is :  and  to  put 
theirs  down  will  cost  us  more  blood,  trea- 
sure and  time  than  his.  For  all  our  sacri- 
fices, his  enemies  promised  us  durable  peace 
whenever  he  was  put  down.  But  no  sooner 
is  he  down  than  they  propose  another  war, 
a  causeless  war,  a  war  to  cost  more  and  last 
longer  than  his.  It  may  bring  in  its  train 
many  places  for  the  crown  to  dispose  of. 


$•  ■ 


Chap.  XIII.] 


OVERTURE  OF  NEGOTIATIONS. 


303 


Is,  and  control 

For  these  self- 
I  Cobbctt]  the 
ithcr  it  will  sue- 
on:  and  I  warn 
tegent  against 
ns,  proceeding 
e  and  rage  of 

is  propitious. 
;  army  in  the 
5",  commanded 

not  know  what 
ear  thoj  must 
ar.  ^\  0  have 
ough  to  carry 
ithout  cmploy- 
e  whole  world 

and   Franco, 
ough  to  do  at 
3an  lay  waste 
I  at  first  beat 
lolish  some  of 
ess  to  change 
of  Napoleon, 
tempt  of  En- 
ns  of  all  par- 
lien  their  go- 
verted,  as  ad- 
ther  English 
;ead  of  being 
edict,  will  be 
)  not  want  to 
ranee,  under 
3her  Ames  is 
s  the  Burke 
'^ould  like  to 
reling  hank- 
ty  wished  to 
se.    Rut  the 

them  out  of 
been  trying 
untry.  The 
a  nothing  to 
I  people  will 
at  their  go- 
I  his.  Look 
my,  the  first 

0  bo  that  of 
te  there,  ten 
bravest  and 
may  destroy 
9,  shipping, 
^  good  deal 
ng  another 

debt,  I  do 
ngle  colony 
ica.  Napo- 
[jopular  go- 

and  to  put 
blood,  troa- 

1  our  sacri- 
irable  peace 
tno  sooner 
other  war, 
re  and  last 
in  its  train 
iispose  of. 


I 


fe 


Yet  I  warn  the  Prince  Regent  and  his  mi- 
nisters against  the  consequences." 

By  suen  popular  caustic  appeals  and  pro- 
dictions  wore  the  apostate  Irish  premier 
Castlereagh,  and  his  apostate  master  the 
Prince  Regent,  admonisncd  by  an  English 
apostate  hating  everything  Irish,  even  to  the 
potatoe  on  which  the  poor  Irish  subsisted, 
which  Cobbett  pronounced  an  unwholesome 
vegetable,  and  recommended  as  its  substi- 
tute the  Indian  corn,  which,  while  I  write 
this  paragraph,  has  been  supplied  by  Ame- 
rica to  Ireland,  in  large  quantities,  to  take 
the  place  of  the  potatoe,  failing  by  in- 
explicable rot,  so  that  Indian  corn  has  be- 
come at  least  the  temporary  substitute. 
Upon  the  extension  of  British  suifrage  by 
the  reform  of  1830,  Cobbett  ended  his  long 
career  as  a  member  of  Pailiament,  where, 
however,  ho  made  no  impression  or  figure, 
either  from  advanced  age  or  inaptitude  for 
parliamentary  contention.  When  least  to 
be  expected,  an  unsought  and  unrewarded 
champion,  ho  rose  up,  and  fought  with  fierce 
intrepidity  the  battle  of  a  people  whom, 
when  among  them,  he  contemned,  and 
from  whoso  borders  he  absconded. 

Not  only  Ghent  but  Vienna,  where  the 
great  European  Congress  assembled  in  Sep- 
tember, 1814,  and  Paris,  and  St.  Peters- 
burg, where  there  was  no  disposition,  after 
putting  down  tho  continental  tyrant,  to 
raise  a  sea  despot  to  succeed  him,  and 
nearly  all  maritime  Europe,  united  with 
Washington,  rejoicing  in  Plattsburg  and 
Baltimore,  to  curb  Great  Britain,  and  veri- 
fy, even  by  European  jealousies  of  her 
domination,  Cobbett's  auguries  of  its  Ameri- 
can defiance. 

Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Russell,  with  Mr. 
Hughes,  went  to  Ghent  in  the  John  Adams, 
Mr.  Clay  by  land  from  Gottenburg.  Mr. 
Gallatin  and  Mr.  Bayard  joined  them  from 
London.  The  five  American  commissioners, 
with  their  secretary  of  legation  and  four 
junior  assistants,  established  in  a  consider- 
able hotel,  kept  house  together,  in  the  un- 
common ease  and  dignity,  for  American 
foreign  ministers,  afforded  by  a  hundred 
thousand  dollars  a  year;  tho  amount  of 
their  united  five  outfits  and  salaries.  Tho 
city  rutliorities  of  Ghent  received  them 
with  respect  and  an  exchange  of  hos- 
pitalties.  Entertainments,  dinners,  and 
balli,  at  which  Mr.  Adams  was  the  only 
darcing  member  of  the  mission,  civilities 
ext  ;nded  by  the  British  commander.  Gene- 
ral Lyons,  to  the  mercurial  and  gallant 
secretary  of  the  American  legation,  Mr. 
Hi.ghes,  diverted  tho  time  during  which 
tV.ey  were  all  kept  waiting  the  arrival  of 
their  English  opponents,  who,  leaving  Lon- 
don the  3d,  arrived  at  Ghent  on  Saturday 
the  6th  of  August,  1814.  As  Shcrbrookc 
invaded  Penobscot,  and  Prevost  was  prepar- 
ing, pursuant  to  a  plan  of  operations  sent 
him  from  London,  to  enter  New  York  from 


Plattsburg,  and  Ross  to  capture  Washing- 
ton, and  the  forces  of  which,  on  Ross'  death, 
Pakcnham  was  appointed  commander,  wore 
organizing  for  the  attack  of  New  Orloans, 
when  the  only  question  of  the  British 
government  and  people  was,  whether  it 
should  be  war  of^  territorial  conquest  or 
coast  depredation — just  then,  the  insigni- 
ficant agents  of  ministerial  vengeance  car- 
ried inadmissible  demands  from  Lon'ion  to 
bo  dictated  at  Ghent.  But  the  very  first 
step  of  the  negotiation,  in  the  mere  form- 
alities of  meeting,  indicated  the  American 
spirit,  and  perhaps  the  Endish.  Mr. 
Adams  by  long  service,  and  Mr.  Russell 
by  some,  were  versed  in  those  ceremo- 
nies of  diplomatic  intercourse  which,  in 
the  Old  World,  are  treated  as  substantial, 
in  the  New  as  trifling,  observances.  Sun- 
day noon,  the  7th  August,  when  all  tho 
gentlemen  of  our  mission  were  absent  ex- 
cept Mr.  Bayar'J,  the  secretary  of  the 
British  legation,  Mr.  Baker,  called  at  the 
American  hotel,  no  fix  a  time  and  place  of 
meeting  to  enter  on  the  business  of  tho 
mission,  and,  with  Mr.  Bayard,  arranged 
it  for  next  day,  at  the  British  hotel.  Mr. 
Bayard,  inexperienced  in  forms  and  in- 
different to  ceremonies,  made  no  objection 
to  the  suggestion  of  that  place  by  the 
British  secretary,  but  at  once  acquiesced 
in  it.  As  soon,  however,  as  his  colleagues 
returned,  and  were  apprised  of  what 
was  an  untoward  outset  of  t'ne  trans- 
action, Mr.  Adams  instantly  and  warmly 
refused  to  comply  with  it.  "  Meet,"  said 
he,  "  the  English  ministers,  who  have  kept 
us  here  so  long  waiting  the  condescension 
of  their  coming,  in  the  face  of  all  Ghent, 
moot  them  at  their  bidding,  at  their  own 
hotel,  to  be  the  laughing-stock  of  this 
city,  of  London,  and  of  Europe  I"  "  Never  1 
never !"  repeated  Mr.  Gallatin,  "  I  would 
rather  break  up  the  mission  and  go  home." 
"  But,"  said  Mr.  Bayard,  "the  arrangement 
has  been  made,  and  we  are  promised  to  it." 
"  Not  at  all,"  replied  Mr.  Adams,  "you  may 
be,  not  I,  nor  we.  It  would  be  a  submission 
to  English  encroachment  to  which,  for  one, 
I  will  not  submit."  By  unanimous  and 
animated  reversal,  tho  understanding  was 
annulled,  and  tho  secretary,  Mr.  Hughes, 
employed  in  his  first  essay,  with  instruc- 
tions reduced  to  writing  by  Mr.  Adams, 
to  call  on  Mr.  Baker  and  have  the  place 
of  meeting  changed,  and  it  was  accordingly 
changed  to  another,  whore  the  legations 
afterwards  met  each  other,  their  first  sej- 
sion  being  fixed  for  the  8th  August. 

Ghent  was  full  of  persons  to  watch  the 
negotiations  for  commercial  speculations  ; 
several  American  and  many  English  mer- 
chants and  others.  There  wore  also  Ameri- 
cans there,  attracted  by  the  interesting  na- 
ture of  the  issue  ;  among  the  rest  Mr. 
Churchill  C.  Cambreleng,  afto^'wards  distin- 
guished in  the  public  service,  both  legi8lativ« 


304 


FIRST  CONFERENCE. 


[1814. 


■^ij!  y.«<; 


and  diplomatic,  of  the  United  States;  Mr. 
Goorf^o  Emlen,  who  was  to  have  accompa- 
nied Mr.  llusaoll  as  socrotavy  of  legation  to 
Sweden ;  and  Captain  William  Slialer,  expert 
as  a  linp;ui8t,  seaman,  merchant,  and  a 
democrat  in  advance  of  his  day,  employed 
liy  our  government  as  a  confidential  attend- 
aiit  of  tlio  American  mission,  whom  it  was 
at  one  time  intended  to  8ond  on  a  secret 
errand  of  observatiim  to  A'icnna  during 
the  Congress  of  sovereigns  there,  whose 
proceedings  might  considerably  affect  those 
at  (Jhent.  American  staples  were  also 
doing  their  work  in  the  pending  nego- 
tiations. Tobacco,  a  weed,  had  its  weigiit 
in  the  scales  of  peace ;  and  cotton,  then 
sixty  cents  a  pound,  supplanting  iron, 
once  the  standard  of  English  national 
wealth  and  refinement,  was  rapidly  pro- 
duciing  that  complete  revolution  of  the  re- 
lations Ijetween  this  country  of  produc- 
tion, and  England  the  country  of  artificial 
wealth,  by  which  the  mother  country  may 
bo  said  to  be  colonized  to  her  former  colo- 
nies. Commercial  letters  from  Liverpool, 
dated  early  in  Septemboi*,  1814,  and  received 
at  Savannah,  stated  that  it  was  "extremely 
prol)able  that,  during  the  winter,  we  shall 
take  possession  of  some  American  districts, 
from  whence  supplies  of  cotton  may  be 
brought;"  referring,  no  doul)t,  to  the  con- 
tomphitcd  invasion  of  Louisiana. 

"  To  such  a  pitch,"  said  a  London  journal 
of  the  10th  September,  1814,  "has  the  spirit 
of  speculation  on  the  insignificant  negotia- 
tions at  Ghent  been  carried,  that  it  is  not 
saying  too  much  to  assert,  that  the  whole 
funded  property  of  the  British  empire  takes 
its  relative  value  from  the  varying  prices 
of  tobacco.  If  you  want  to  know  the  price 
of  stocks,  it  is  first  necessary  to  ascertain 
the  price  of  rappee.  How  comes  it  that 
such  importance  is  attached  to  American 
affairs,  when  wo  have  only  America  to  drub 
into  honesty  and  peace,  to  which,  at  a  period 
of  our  being  engaged  in  a  controversy  a 
thousand  times  of  greater  magnitude,  was 
scarcely  paid  the  sligiitest  regard?  Tliat 
the  rise  and  fall  of  tobacco  by  Yankee 
speculation  from  Ghent,  should  have  so 
great  an  effect  on  our  money  market,  is  the 
height  of  folly." 

On  Monday,  the  8th  August,  1814,  "  the 
place  having  been  agreed  upon,"  as  the 
official  dispatch  of  the  American  commis- 
fiioncrs  stated,  the  Congress  at  Ghent  had 
their  first  conference,  exchanged  their 
powers,  and  tlio  British  sine  qua  non  Te- 
specting  Indians  and  boundaries  was 
launched  at  once.  Our  commissioners  hav- 
ing no  instructions  or  idea  to  treat  such 
claims,  the  English  commissioners  asked 
for  time  to  communicate  with  their  govern- 
ment; and  excepting  anotlier  meeting  on 
tho  9th,  to  settle  a  protocol  of  the  terms 
proposed  on  the  8tli,  there  was  no  fur- 
thor  conferoaco  till  the  19th,  when  the 


English,  on  tho  morning  of  that  day, 
called  for  another  meeting  tho  same  af- 
ternoon, impelled  by  a  great  event  that 
had  occurred  at  Ghent.  The  day  before, 
on  tho  18th  August,  Lord  Castlereagh 
arrived  there,  with  a  suite  of  twenty  car- 
riages, in  all  the  prido  and  circumstance 
of  British  might  and  splendor,  on  his  way 
to  tlie  Congress  of  sovereigns  at  Vienna. 
Lord  Gambler  and  his  colleagues  had,  there- 
fore, the  oral  commands  as  well  as  written 
instructions  of  tho  great  paymaster  of  their 
royal  European  stipendiaries,  who,  at  his 
bidding,  and  under  his  brother  Sir  Charles 
Stewart's  personal  superintendence,  had 
waged  the  immense  hostilities  by  which 
Great  Britain  conducted  in  triumph  her 
Russian,  Prussian,  Austrian,  and  the  other 
coalesced  dependents  on  her  loans,  and  imi- 
tators of  her  fortitude,  to  the  capital  of 
their  former  conqueror.  The  fearless  states- 
man, who,  at  Chatillon,  had  so  recently 
been  foremost  to  refuse  Napoleon  terms, 
and  order  tho  Marquis  of  Wellington, 
without  hesitation,  to  march  on  Paris — 
could  he  pause  or  compromise  with  tho 
American  republicans  in  his  power  and 
their  ministers  at  his  feet?  No.  That  was 
no  moment,  Castlereagh  was  the  last  man, 
to  forbear  to  punish  America  and  Madison 
as  he  had  suljjugated  Franco  and  cas- 
tigated Bonaparte ;  and  if  his  Irish  bowels 
had  betrayed  any  yearnings  of  coinpas- 
sion,  the  three  kingdoms,  England,  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  king,  lords  and  commons, 
army,  navy  and  clergy,  would  have  risen  up 
against  such  puling  tenderness,  yielding 
more  than  enough  when  dictating  less  than 
absolute  surrender  of  American  independ- 
ence. As  to  the  islands  in  the  Bay  of 
Passamaquoddy,  just  then  by  bloodless 
and  unresisted,  if  not  to  Massachusetts 
grateful  subjugation,  wrested  from  the 
United  States,  when  our  commissioners 
asked  what  were  tho  British  views  con- 
cerning them,  the  insolent  reply  was,  to 
keep  them,  without  discussion,  for  they  bo- 
long  to  Great  Britain,  and  are  no  more 
subject  of  negotiation  than  Northampton- 
shire. At  tho  conference  of  tho  19th  August, 
1814,  therefore,  not  only  was  tho  Indian  «tnc 
qua  non  repeated,  but  our  relinquishment 
demanded  of  tho  lakes,  on  all  of  which  wo 
had  then  superior  squadrons,  and  with  them 
surrender  of  territories,  much  larger  than 
England,  together  with  tlie  fisheries  and 
the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi. 

Of  such  demands  tho  official  advice  of 
our  commissioners,  laid  by  tho  President 
through  Congress  before  the  nation  and  tho 
world,  was,  "  Wo  need  hardly  say  the  de- 
mands of  Great  Britain  will  receive  from 
us  a  unanimous  and  decided  negative.  AVo 
do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  detain  the  John 
Adams,  for  tho  purpose  of  transmitting  to 
you  tho  official  note,  which  may  pass  on  tho 
Hubjcct  and  closo  tho  negotiation.    And  wo 


[1814. 

of  that  day, 
5  the  same  af- 
oat  event  that 
'lie  day  heforo, 
rd  Castlereugh 
of  twenty  car- 
i  circumstance 
ilor,  on  his  way 
gns  at  Vienna, 
gues  had,  there- 
well  as  written 
^master  of  their 
es,  who,  at  his 
her  Sir  Charles 
itendence,  had 
lities  by  which 
II  triumph  her 
1,  and  the  other 
loans,  and  imi- 

the  capital  of 
!  fearless  states- 
id  so  recently 
apolcon  terms, 
of  Wellington, 
ch  on  Paris — 
)mise  with  the 
liis  power  and 
No.  That  was 
IS  the  last  man, 
:a  and  Aladison 
anco  and  cas- 
us Irish  bowels 
igs  of  conipas- 
England,  Scot- 
I  and  commons, 
d  have  risen  up 
rncsa,  yielding 
;ating  less  than 
ican  indcpend- 
in  the  Buy  of 
by  bloodless 

Massachusetts 
ited    from    the 

commissioners 
ish  views  con- 
;  reply  was,  to 
)n,  for  they  bc- 

aro  no  more 

Northampton- 
10 1'Jth  August, 

the  Indian  stnc 
relinquishment 
>11  of  which  wo 
,  and  with  them 
ch  larger  tlian 
;  fisheries  and 
dppi. 
icial  advice  of 

tiio  President 
nation  and  the 
lly  say  the  de- 

1  receive  from 

negative.  Wo 
letain  the  John 
;ransmitting  to 
nay  pass  on  tlio 
ttiou.    And  wo 


Chap.  XIII.] 


BRITISH  BLUNDER. 


305 


have  felt  it  m  iity  immediately  to  ap- 
prise you,  V»y  V'  uisty  hut  correct  sketch, 
of  our  last  cor  Li  once,  that  there  is  not,  at 
present,  any  hope  of  peace."  A  private 
letter  from  Mr.  Gallatin,  dated  at  Ghent, 
the  20th  August,  to  Mr.  Dallas  (Secretar}' 
of  the  Treasury  when  it  arrived),  carried 
by  his  son  with  the  official  report,  in  terms 
still  more  explicit  and  honorable  to  Mr. 
Gallatin,  made  known  his  impression. 
"Our  negotiations  may  be  considered  at 
an  end.  Some  official  notes  may  yet  pass, 
but  the  nature  of  the  demands  of  the  Bri- 
tish, mad«  also  as  a  preliminary  sine  qua 
7ion,  to  be  admitted  as  a  basis  before  a  dis- 
cussion, is  such  that  there  cau  be  no  doubt 
of  a  speedy  rupture  of  our  conferences,  and 
that  we  will  have  no  peace.  Great  Britain 
wants  war  in  order  to  cripple  us:  she  wants 
aggrandizement,  at  our  expense :  she  may 
have  ulterior  objoctr :  no  resource  is  left  but 
in  union  and  vigorous  prosecution  of  the 
war.  When  her  terms  are  known,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  impossible  that  all  America 
should  not  unite  in  defence  of  her  rights, 
of  her  territory,  I  may  say  of  her  independ- 
ence." 

The  peace  commission  was  brought  near- 
ly to  an  end  by  that  huge  British  blunder, 
which,  by  our  commissioners  at  Ghent,  by 
the  President,  in  Congress,  and  through- 
out the  country,  was  received  with  nearly 
universal  indignation.  Mr.  Clay  accepted 
Mr.  Crawford's  invitation  to  visit  him  in 
Paris,  Mr.  Adams  was  about  to  return 
to  St.  Petersburg,  Mr.  Russell  to  lepair 
to  his  mission  at  Stockholm,  the  ehip 
Neptune  was  prepared  at  Brest  to  bring 
homo  Mr.  Bayard  and  Mr.  Gallatin.  Mr. 
George  Dallas,  on  the  Slstof  August,  sailed 
from  the  Texel  in  the  John  Adams,  with 
the  white  flag  of  a  cartel  at  her  mast  head, 
to  convey  to  Washington  the  entire  failure 
of  any  effort  to  put  a  stop  to  the  war,  by 
mediation,  negotiation  or  solicitation  in 
Europe;  and  assurance  that  war  alone 
was  the  way  to  peace.  Mr.  George  Emlen 
returned  with  Mr.  Dallas  in  the  John 
Adams.  The  London  Courier,  of  the  14th 
of  August  reported  proceedings  at  Ghent, 
tlius: — "Yesterdfty,  government  received 
dispatches  from  Lord  Gambier.  We  under- 
stand that  the  first  meeting  between  the 
English  and  American  commissioners  at 
Ghent  was  held  on  Monday  last,  when  their 
respective  credentials  were  exhibited.  A 
(second  meeting  is  stated  to  have  taken  place 
on  AVednesday,  when  some  discunsion  en- 
sued between  tJio  plenipotentiaries  on  the 
interests  of  their  respective  govermnents, 
but  of  too  general  a  nature  to  admit  any 
certain  coaclusioo  to  l>e  dfawn  from  it.  It 
is  rumored,  however,  that  the  RepuMican 
commissioners  were  extremely  reserved  and 
slow  in  the  disoloeure  of  their  pretensions. 
Ministers  expect  to  roceivo  further  dis- 
patches and  of  a  less  indeciflivo  character 
20 


to-morrow.  Connected  with  this  subject  is 
a  report,  which  was  circulated  last  night, 
Imt  for  the  truth  of  which  we  do  not  pledge 
ourselves,  that  the  expedition  fitted  out  at 
Portsmouth,  under  Lord  Hill,  had  been 
suspended,  and  all  the  preparations  for  it 
discontinued." 

That  publication,  not  less  than  semi- 
official, indicated  that  the  ministers  sup- 
posed their  terms  would  bo  submitted  to, 
without  the  necessity  of  sending  more 
troopT  to  America.  The  London  Courier 
of  the  next  day,  15th  of  September,  1814, 
resuming  the  topic,  thus  rebuked  the  oppo- 
sition for  stating  that "  the  American  com- 
missioners assume  a  high  tone.  What 
gives  them  a  right  to  assume  that  tone? 
We  deny  that  the  Ghent  negotiation  is 
either  broken  up  or  broken  off.  And  is 
it  the  justice  of  their  cause  or  briUianci/  of 
their  success  that  emboldens  them?  We 
must  have  no  high  tone  from  America.  We 
owe  it  to  ourselves  and  to  posterity  in  this 
unprovoked  war,  undertaken  for  the  most 
unjust  purposes,  to  make  such  an  impres- 
sion on  their  fears  as  shall  curb  the  desire 
of  aggression  and  conquest  for  many  years 
to  come-  America  ought,  in  this  contest, 
to  bo  fully  and  explicitly  taught  that  a  false 
neutrality,  and  subservience  to  an  ignorant 
but  violent  populace,  are  crimes  in  a  r/overn- 
ment,  which,  though  they  may  promise  an 
immediate  advantage,  must  nevcrthelfss 
be  followed  by  merited  chastisement,  and 
the  loss  of  those  just  interests  they  might 
have  permanently  secured,  had  they  not 
in  the  spirit  of  rapine  grasped  at  that 
which  justice  had  closed  as  the  right  and 
property  of  another."  Thus  semi-official 
rainisteriial  oracles,  stupidly  ignorant  of  the 
country  they  condemned  and  were  to  chas- 
tise, fomented  the  brutish  credulity  of  the 
English  populace.  The  some  paragraph  in 
a  Plymouth  newspaper,  which  announced 
Major-General  Keene's  arrival  at  Ports- 
mouth, to  embark  for  America,  with  inhu- 
man delight,  enumerated,  in  the  list  of  his 
equipments,  "  ten  thousand  suits  of  cloth- 
ing, supposed  to  be  for  the  North  American 
Indians,  and  an  immense  quantity  of  war- 
like instruments  adapted  for  their  use." 

Not  only  the  English  impression  at  Lon- 
don, but  that  made  by  their  agents  at 
Ghent,  was  that  Lord  Castlereagh  had  settled 
matters  there  as  at  Chatillon,  Iw  the  same 
bold  tone  of  ennobled  upstart  Irish  auda- 
city. The  Ghent  Gazette,  of  the  22d  of 
August,  1814,  published:  "Since  the  con- 
versation which  Lord  Castlereagh,  the  first 
minister  of  his  British  Majesty,  has  had 
with  the  American  envoys,  and  af  r  the 
return  of  a  courier  from  London,  the  nego- 
tiations of  the  Congress  have  recommenced, 
which  had  been  suspended,  jind  are  con- 
tinued with  activity.  Mr.  Dallas,  one  of  the 
secretaries  of  the  American  legation,  went 
yesterday  to  the  Toxcl  with  dispatches  for 


300 


AMERICAN  REACTION. 


his  povornmont,  anil  is  to  oniliark  on  board 
an  American  ship  for  America.  Tliero 
j»  every  hopo  that  the  CDnforcnees  will 
have  a  speedy  and  favora1)lo  issue."  As 
Ghent  was  then  garrisoned  hy  British 
troops,  and  Uencral  Sir  Edward  Lyons 
rcy^ulatcd  public  sentiment,  which,  even 
witliout  the  police  of  a  British  garrison, 
was  not  freely  imparted  by  the  press,  unless 
sanctioned  by  authority,  it  is  plain,  from 
the  Lond(m  and  Ghent  official  paragraphs, 
that  the  English  ministerial  calculation  then 
was,  that  the  United  States  would  acquiesce 
in  the  terms  dictated  by  Great  Britain,  and 
not  only  so,  but  readily,  if  not  gratefully. 
Why  not  ?  They  were  by  no  means  as  hard 
terms  as  those  just  imposed  by  the  same 
masters  on  Franco,  and  hailed  there  with 


__  [1814. 

August  sine  qva  non,  and  sinking,  in  Do- 
ccml)er,  to  the  level  of  ufi  possidetis. 

In  Washington  and  throughout  tholJni  ed 
States,  and  thence  by  reverberation  in  Lon- 
don and  all  England,  till  the  impression 
reached  Vienna  and  every  other  seat  of 
European  influence,  Lord  C'astlereagh's  to- 
tal misapjirehonsion  of  the  American  tem- 
per and  condition,  thinking  ho  had  but  to 
command  obedience,  his  dictation  at  Ghent 
proved  a  foolish  and  fatal  mistake.  As  soon 
.as  the  John  Adnmsmado  the  American  coast, 
Mr.  George  Dallas,  hastening  with  dispatch- 
es which  our  envoys  were  confident  would 
unite  the  country,  got  into  a  gunboat  to  ex- 
pedite his  landing  at  Now  York,  took  an  ex- 
press stage,  and  stopping  but  one  hour  in 
rhiladelphia,  to  sec  his  family,  after  being 


acclamations  of  delight.     The  thousands  of  |  three  days  and  nights  without  rest,  reached 
travelers  who  now  journey  from  Boston  or  |  Washington  with  his  importantintcHigonce, 


New  York  to  New  Orleans,  by  that  bolt  of 
the  American  Union,  the  Lakes  and  Chica- 
go, can  form  some  notion  of  the  state  of 
English  opinion,  or  information,  when  all 
those  familiar  interior  American  highways 
were  demanded  as  the  price  of  peace,  re- 
luctantly to  bo  granted  by  Great  Britain  to 
grateful  America.  Impressment,  illcg.al 
blockade,  indemnity  for  unauthorized  cap- 
tures, to  redress  which  war  was  undertaken, 
were,  and  only  a  few  of  them,  scarcely  al- 
lowed to  be  intimated  by  our  ministers,  and 
by  the  British  not  so  much  as  noticed. 

English  liistory,  printed  travels,  such  as 
that  of  Basil  Hall,  and  the  press  generally 
of  that  countrj',  have  attempted  to  apologize 
for  their  reverses  here  by  the  false  assertion 
that,  absorbed  with  the  mightier  European 
contest,  Great  Britain  h.ad  not  time,  and 
did  not  feel  sufficiently  interested,  to  attend 
to  that  with  America.     But  from  and  after 
the  1st  of  April,  1814,  there  was  no  war  in 
Europe,  and  the  whole  prodigious  prepara- 
tions of  England  for  that  year,  flushtnl  with 
wonderful  successes  and  impelled  by  an  ex- 
asperated, enthusiastic  nation,  were  turned 
against  the  United  States.    Precisely  then  it 
was  that  their  American  reverses  began; 
those  who  conquered  in  Europe  were  defeat- 
ed in  America.  And  no  barometer  indicates 
the  weather  more  sensitively  than  American 
victories  did  English  change  of  sentiment. 
The  London  press,  ministerial   and  inde- 
pendent, which,  throughout  April  and  from 
that  time  till  the  middle  of  October,  call- 
ed vehemently  for  unmerciful  hostilities 
against  this  country,  then  began  to  quail, 
as  from  Erie  and  Champlain,  Washington 
and  Baltimore,  a  constant  stream  of  amaz- 
ing American  triumphs,  with  one  signally 
disgraceful  British,  confounded  them ;  when 
at   length    a  Jjondon   journal    published, 
"instructions  have  gone  to  Ghent  of  so 
pacilio  a  nature  as  to  induce  a  confident 
hopo  that  the  negotiations  will  terminate 
Buccossfully:"  as  they  did,  by  Groat  Britain's 
withdrawing  all  her  imperious  terms  of 


On  the  10th  of  October,  1H14,  the  House  of 
Keprescntativcs  received  from  the  Senate 
their  joint  resolution  of  thanks  to  Captain 
Macdonough,  his  officers,  seamen,  and  the 
infantry  acting  as  mai'incs  in  the  squadron 
on  Lake  Champlain ;  and  we  were  in  com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  Mr.  Macon  in  the  chair, 
on  the  resolutions  from  our  military  com- 
mittee, expressive  of  the  sense  of  Congress 
of  the  gallant  conduct  of  Generals  Brown, 
Scott,  Gaines  and  Macomli — we  were  revel- 
ling in  victories,  when  Edward  Coles,  the 
President's  secretary,  brought  a  message 
from  him,  which  proved  instantaneously 
a  master-stroke  of  bold  American  policy. 
He  laid  before  Congress  "communications 
from  the  Plenipotentiaries  of  the  United 
States,  charged  with  negotiating  a  peace 
with  Great  Britain,  sho%ring  the  conditiona 
on  which  alone  that  (jnvernment  was  willing 
to  pvt  an  end  to  the  war;"  adding-  that  ho 
would  send  likewise  his  instructions  to  tho 
commissioners. 

The  comrnitteo  rose  at  once  to  hoar  tho 
message,which,  read  in  tho  House,  electrified 
all  parties.  The  message  and  correspondence 
were  referred  to  the  committee  on  foreign  af- 
fairs ;  and  on  John  Forsyth's  motion  for  five, 
amended  by  Alexander  Hanson's  motion 
doubling  tho  nnmber,  ten  thousand  copies 
were  ordered  to  be  printed.  On  Friday,  the 
14th  October,  we  got  tho  instructions  which 
were  also  referred  to  tho  committee  on  fo- 
reign affairs.  Exposure  by  official  publica- 
tion of  those  hostile  exactions  was  faintly 
complained  of  in  England  as  contrary  to  di- 
plomatic usage  and  governmental  delicacy ; 
tho  British  ministry  being  surprised,  an- 
noyed and  confounded  by  it,  throughout 
that  country  as  well  as  this  put  palpa- 
bly in  the  wrong.  The  London  Sun,  of  tho 
;]d  of  August,  1814,  before  tho  negotiations 
began,  stated  that  their  requirement  was 
our  surrender  of  the  fisheries,  of  tho  whole 
of  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario :  all  northern 
military  posts,  and  all  tho  country  north  of 
tho  Ohio  to  the'  Indians.    When  to  such  ex- 


en 
on 
th( 
de 
rai 
in; 
Ell 
in 


CnAP.  XIII.] 


EXPOSURE  OF  BRITISH  DEMANDS. 


307 


actions  equally  impolitic  on  their  part  and  in 
sufferablo  on  ours,  were  supcradfleil  tlie  fish- 
eries to  rouse  Now  England,  with  the  lak«  t 
on  which  wo  had  conquered  British  fleets, and 
the  Indian  haunts  whence  our  frontiers  were 
desolated,  the  American  nation  closed  its 
ranks,  and  at  once,  almost  to  a  man  breath- 
ing war,  uttered  defiance,  while  considerate 
Englishmen,  and  the  opposition  there  joined 
in  condemnation  of  such  wanton  pretexts 
for  protracted  and  interminable  hostilities. 
One-third  of  the  present  State  of  Maine 
(since  disgracefully  given  up  by  the  treaty  of 
Washington,)  all  the  State  of  Michigan,  one- 
third  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  all  Illinois,  and 
Indiana,  tracts  of  country  larger  than  Enj^- 
land,  Ireland,  AVales  and  Scotland ;  an  in- 
dependent savage  power  Avithin  tlie  States, 
no  American  armed  vessel  on  the  lakes  or 
the  many  great  rivers  their  confluents,  the 
fisheries  on  the  Grand  Bank  and  the  Gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence,  and  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  were  concessions  which  the 
Executive  had  no  constitutional  power  to 
make,  which  the  entire  Union  was  equally 
interested  and  resolved  to  prevent,  and 
which  it  was  flagrant,  must  dismember, 
degrade  and  nearly  destroy  the  American 
Union. 

Madison,  Monroe  and  Dallas  were  then 
completely  and  earnestly  united  in  the  con- 
viction, that  nothing  less  than  the  whole  re- 
sources of  the  United  States  called  forth  for 
war  would  give  them  peace.  The  instan- 
taneous exposure  of  the  British  demands, 
by  a  bold  and  novel  but  just  and  politic  in- 
novation on  the  common  routine  of  interna- 
tional negotiations,  was  the  first  groat  move- 
ment; and  not  only  was  that  innovation 
wise  for  the  occasion,  but  as  an  exemplary 
appeal,  on  all  such  conjunctures,  to  a  nation 
and  the  world  as  the  best  resort.  It  was  a 
salient  precedent  of  republican  American 
independent  departure  from  the  clandestine 
mystifications  of  selfish  superannuated  Eu- 
ropean monarchical  diplomacy.  Such  offi- 
cial and  executive  invocation  of  popular 
intelligence  and  sentiment  asking  advice  of 
the  right  feeling  community,  whose  gene- 
rous impulses  are  often  wiser  than  cabinet 
ministers,  and  always  loss  selfish,  instead 
of  the  short-sighted  motives  and  limited 
understanding  of  a  few  secret  negotiators, 
appeals  to  the  multitude  of  counsellors,  in 
whom  there  is  most  safety,  and  submits  to 
the  whole  world  what  much  concerns  it 
altogether.  Treaties  would  not  bo  so 
often  unjust  and  so  often  broken,  if  na- 
tions were  consulted  about  their  stipu- 
lations, which  are  contrived  by  a  few,  always 
selfish,  and  often  venal  ministers,  and  not 
promulgated  tillirrevocably  binding  on  their 
numerous  constituents.  Although  negotia- 
tion cannot  always  bo  transacted  by  num- 
bers in  publ'3,  yet  publicity  is  often  as 
beneficial  to  negotiation  as  to  legislation. 

Seldom  hag  this  feature  in  the  open  as- 


pect of  republicanism  boon  more  attractive 
or  more  commanding  than  in  tliat  instance, 
so  opportune  and  well  mannged.  The  Cana- 
dian victories  by  land  and  water,  the  Balti- 
more repulse,  the  barbarian  desolation  of 
AVashington,  the  tide  of  fortune  and  of  war 
turning  in  our  favor,  concurred  with  Bri- 
tish enormity  of  demand  and  American 
promptitude  of  its  exposure,  to  rally  this 
country  and  disabuse  all  others.  In  Con- 
gross  the  effect  was  instantaneous  and  ob- 
vious. Sitting  in  the  only  public  ))uilding 
loft  standing  by  the  ruthless  invailers,  oppo- 
sition in  Congress  to  the  war  and  the  ad- 
ministration was  discountenanced,  and  their 
supporters,  in  augmentcul  numbers,  encou- 
raged to  unanimous  approval  of  whatever 
strength  of  measures  and  severity  of  endur- 
ance might  prove  necessary  to  avoid  the  ig- 
nominious conditions  of  peace  demanded 
])y  insolent  and  defeated  foes.  So  much 
improved  was  public  sentiment,  that,  wlien 
the  House  foil  to  work,  as  it  did  earnestly, 
on  providing  the  supplies,  the  National  In- 
telligencer of  the  23il  of  October,  announced 
it  with  striking  gratification.  "The  House 
of  Representatives,  with  whom  all  the  reve- 
nue bills  must  originate,  has  entered  on 
the  consideration  of  the  wavs  and  means 
for  the  ensuing  year ;  and  a  general  dispo- 
sition appears  to  prevail  to  vole  the  neces- 
sary supplies.  A  large  majority  of  the  Fe- 
deralists in  Congress  will  unite  with  the 
Republicans  in  providing  the  means  for 
carrying  on  the  war,  which,  all  nice  distinc- 
tions being  out  of  the  question,  is  acknow- 
ledged to  be  a  defensive  war.  If  this  Union 
lasts,  the  United  States  will  bo  what  they 
would  have  been  long  ago,  had  it  earlier 
been  victorious  over  all  their  enemies  at  all 
points."  "  We  are  glad,"  said  the  New  York 
Gazette,  a  Federal  journal,  "to  find  the  fol- 
lowing American  sentiments  in  the  George- 
town Federal  Republican.  A  message  was 
yesterday  received  from  the  President  trans- 
mitting dispatches  from  our  commissioners 
at  Ghent,  which  give  no  encouragement  to 
expect  a  favorable  termination  of  the  nego- 
tiation. The  terms  on  which  the  enemy  offers 
peace,  are  such  as  no  American  will  hesi- 
tate in  rejecting  a;  degrading  and  humi- 
liating in  the  extreme."  The  despicable 
ebullition  of  a  Boston  journal,  the  only 
part  of  the  country  where  such  a  senti- 
ment would  have  been  conceived  cr  endur- 
ed, has  been  already  cited  that  the  terms 
proposed  by  the  enemy  at  Ghent  were 
not  unreasonable,  and  therefore  must  be 
submitted  to.  In  the  whole  United  States 
from  New  York  included  to  Louisiana,  there 
was  hardly  a  man  of  that  unworthy  spirit. 
A  distant  relative  of  the  present  President 
of  the  United  States,  an  officer  of  the  Revo- 
lution, AVilliam  Polk,  a  Federalist  of  North 
Carolina,  at  an  '.arly  period  of  the  war  ten- 
dered a  brigadior-generalship  in  the  regular 
army,  which  ho  declined,  published  at  lla- 


308 


PARLIAMENT. 


[1814. 


lei^h,  on  the  17th  of  October,  1814,  a  letter 
to  Governor  Hawkins, of  that  Stivtc,  (lenounc- 
ing  "  tlio  dcprading  conditions  demanded 
by  the  British  commissioners  from  the 
American  government  as  the  price  of  peace, 
conditions  as  new  as  humiliating,  inadmis- 
sible under  circumstances  far  more  perilous 
than  the  present,  and  such  as  no  American 
ought  to  submit  to.  While  those  terms 
are  contended  for,  and  made  the  sine  qua 
non  of  an  adjustment  of  our  difficulties,  I 
hesitate  not  to  declare  my  intention  to  unite 
with  and  support  the  government  in  such  a 
system  as  shall  compel  the  enemy  to  respect 
our  rights,  and  bring  the  war  to  au  honor- 
able termination.  The  crisis  has  arrived 
when  it  would  be  useless  to  inquire  what 
were  the  causes,  or  who  were  the  authors 
of  the  misfortunes  which  have  overtaken 
the  country.  It  is  enough  to  know  that 
dishonorable  conditions  have  been  demand- 
ed, and  that  danger  exists.  It  behooves  us 
to  show  the  world  that  there  is  firmness 
enough  to  reject  the  one  and  spirit  enough 
to  meet  the  other." 

While  such  was  the  nearly  universal  feel- 
ing in  America,  that  of  England  suddenly 
veered  toward  justification  of  our  defensive 
and  condemnation  of  their  aggressive  hostili 


British  people  had  been  taught  to  believe, 
he  said,  that  they  were  contending  for  a  vital 
principle,  their  marine  sovereignty  and  in- 
dependence, whereas  it  appeared  that  they 
were  fighting  for  extendoa  territories  and 
abstracted  slaves.  Lord  Liverpool,  not  de- 
nying the  authenticity  of  the  published 
negotiations,  complained  of  their  publica- 
tion as  unprecedented  and  irregular,  pend- 
ing the  tamo  of  treating.  Of  captured 
slaves,  he  denied  all  knowledge  and  pro- 
bably with  truth,  such  was  British  igno- 
rance, although,  for  eighteen  months,  that 
violation  of  the  laws  of  war  and  humanity 
had  been  actively  carried  on,  and  the  Brit- 
ish American  naval  stations,  Bermuda  and 
Halifax,  were  crowded  with  black  victims, 
many  of  them  in  British  regimentals,  serv- 
ing in  the  army  and  navy.  In  the  Commons 
House,  Whit))read,  loudly  cheered,  charged 
ministers  with  having  so  fought  and  so  ne- 
gotiated, that  the  largo  portion  of  America 
siding  with  England  when  the  contest  be- 
gan, is  now  all  against  her,  and  but  one 
common  mind  exists  for  directing  the  whole 
force  of  the  republic.  The  Chancellor  of 
the  Exchequer  could  only  whimper  that  it 
gave  him  great  satisfaction  to  say  that  the 
conferences  at  Ghent  were  not  broken  olf. 


ties.  Exposure  of  their  demands  and  inva-  To  Ponsonby's  stern  inquiry  whether  the 
sion,  after  all  cause  of  war  was  at  an  end  by  !  papers  laid  before  Congress  were  correct 
thepeaceofEurope,illustratedbyacareerofj  statements  of  what  passed  at  Ghent,  the 


American  victories,  turned  public  sentiment 
and  belligerent  operations  altogether  in  our 
favor.  Madison's  abrupt  publication  of  the 
conditions  of  peace  worked  like  Jackson's 
instantaneous  surprise  of  the  British  as 
«oon  as  landed  below  New  Orleans ;  mas- 
ter-strokes of  policy  and  strategy.  Oppo- 
sition was  proclaimed  in  the  British  Par 


whole  bench  of  ministers  said  nothing, 
but  stood  mute ;  while  the  author  of  one  of 
the  most  violent  pamphlets  against  America 
before  the  war,  and  leading  to  it,  called 
War  in  Disguise,  Stephens,  complained 
that  America  had  departed  from  the  usual 
conduct  of  civilized  governments,  in  pub- 
lishing papers  before  negotiations  were  ter- 


liament  itself  (both  houses)  against  a  war  of  ■  minated.    But,  said  Ilorner,  the  principle 


vengeance,  territorial  aggrandizement,  and 
ruthless  invasion.  On  the  11th  November, 
1814,  the  Prince  Regent's  speech  to  Parlia- 
ment was  equivocal,  by  no  means  menacing, 
if  not  yielding;  for  "it  regretted  the  large 
expenditure  which  must  be  met  that  year, 
the  war  still  subsisting  with  America, 
rendering  the  continuance  of  groat  exer- 
tions indispensable."  Opposition  forthwith 
planted  their  batteries  on  such  manifest 
tendency  to  capitulate.  On  the  21st  No- 
vember, in  the  House  of  Lords,  the 
Marquis  of  Lansdowno  inquired  of  the 
Earl  of  Liverpool,  whether  the  Ghent  cor- 
respondence was  authentic  as  published, 
and  declared  that  the  pretensions  set  up 
by  Great  Britain  called  loudly  for  the  inter- 
ference of  Parliament.  Lord  Lansdowne 
waj  willin{j  to  support  the  doctrine  of  per- 
pe'jual  British  allegiance  and  impressments, 
but  not  war  for  conquest  or  territory,  for 
the  lakes  or  Indians.  The  Earl  of  Donough- 
more  introduced  a  new  and  substantive 
objection  to  the  hostilities  carried  on  by  the 
English  in  America,  by  strongly  condemning 
tine  capture  and  exportation  of  slaves.    The 


of  the  war  has  changed  to  conquest,  .which 
will  not  be  supported  by  the  House  or  the 
public.  And  Baring  added,  that  no  man 
in  England  could  expect  America  to  yield 
to  British  pretensions,  when  we  had  gained 
no  advantage  over  her  in  the  war.  The 
press  of  continental  Europe  combined  with 
that  of  nearly  all  America,  fought  our  bat- 
tle triumphantly  against  the  British  press, 
incessant  reviler  of  this  country  and  insti- 
gator of  hostilities  against  it, 

Who  unpack  their  heortB  wilh  words, 
And  fall  a  cursing  like  a  very  drab. 

The  war,  as  Cobbett  said,  is  a  war  of  the 
Times  and  the  Courier,  who  rouse  the  whole 
nation  to  war.  The  press  has  warmed  up  the 
people  to  the  war  pitch,  and  there  it  keeps 
them.  But  that  fell  spirit  sunk  before  the 
campaign  of  the  Niagara,  the  discomfiture  at 
Plattsburg,  and  the  devastation  of  WaehiHg- 
ton,  changing  the  mind  of  all  Europe,  and 
completed  by  the  abortion  of  Ohent.  Publi- 
cation of  those  dispatches,  the  Times  confes- 
sed, "  has  been  made  the  means  of  uniting 
against  us  the  whole  American  people." 


Chap.  XIII.] 


to  Leiiovo, 
g  for  a  vital 
;nty  and  in- 
id  that  thoy 
itories  and 
»ool,  not  do- 
published 
oir  publica- 
;ular,  pend- 
>f  captured 
0  and  pro- 
ritish  igno- 
lonths,  that 
d  humanity 
id  the  Brit- 
srmuda  and 
ick  victims, 
(ntals,  scrv- 
0  Commons 
sd,  charged 
t  and  so  nc- 
of  America 
contest  be- 
nd but  one 
g  the  whole 
laneellor  of 
nper  that  it 
tay  that  the 
broken  off. 
chethor  the 
ere  correct 
Ghent,  the 
|d  nothing, 
or  of  one  of 
ist  America 

0  it,  called 
complained 

1  the  usual 
its,  in  pub- 
ns  were  tcr- 
e  principle 
nest,  which 
)U8o  or  the 
lat  no  man 
ica  to  yield 
had  gained 
war.  The 
bincd  with 
lit  our  bat- 
itish  press, 

and  insti- 


vords, 
rib. 

rar  of  the 
i  the  whole 
Sled  up  the 
'0  it  keeps 
before  the 
)nifiture  at 
WaehiHg- 
irope,  and 
at.  Publi- 
les  confefl- 
)f  uniting 
people.'* 


Cobbett,  reeking  from  the  twolvo  months' 
imprisonment,  and  smarting  under  the  thou- 
sand pounds  fine  iutlicted  on  an  alleijod  li- 
bellous publication,  as  vehomontly  Ameri- 
can in  England  as  ho  had  boon  English  in 
America,  with  redoubled  violence  repeated 
liis  attacks  on  the  ministry  and  their  press- 
es. A'ictorious  arms  and  negotiations,  with 
unusual,  but  wise  and  just  publicity,  call- 
ing the  whole  Avorld  to  witness  Amcrici^n 
rights  and  admire  American  victories,  made 
a  platform  on  which  English  good  sense 
and  European  justice  took  a  stand  with 
us,  while  that  of  the  American  apologists 
\  of  England  fell  from  under  them.    Disunion 

nearly  disappeared  from  America,  and 
discord  rose  in  England,  with  a  prevailing 
sense  of  the  justice  and  moderation  of  our 
cause. 

The  negotiations  and  peace  of  Ghent, 
whereof  the  acknowledgment  by  treaty,  like 
perfect  health,  indicative  of  mere  absence 
of  disease  and  disti'ess,  have  not  cnjoj-od 
the  merit  the  arrangement  deserves,  because 
importing  no  more  than  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, seemingly  without  settlement  of  the 
cause  of  conllict.  But  while  unifoiun  and 
universal  success  attended  tiie  American 
arms,  what  more  was  wanting  than  such 
pacification,  begun  and  closed  by  two  re- 
markable and  fortunate  coincidences?  In 
a  letter,  dated  the  2-4  iii  of  August,  1814, 
the  American  minicLers,  while  the  British 
invaders  were  bu'  ning  Washington,  after 
an  admirable  refutation  of  the  British  let- 
ter which  it  answoi'ed,  presented  that 
modest  and  reasonable  basis  of  peace, 
which  the  British  cabinet  finally  adopted 
and  engrafted  into  the  treaty.  For  the 
whole  negotiation  was  Avith  the  British 
cabinet,  conducted  by  American  envoys, 
three  thousand  miles  from  their  constitu- 
ents, and,  as  will  bo  presently  shown,  under 
vexatious  interruptions  of  their  advices  from 
Washington,  while  their  antagonists  receiv- 
ed theirs  regularly  and  prorajitly  from  Lon- 
don. Notwithstanding  such  disadvantages, 
fortunately  presenting  the  adopted  terms  of 
peace,  the  very  day  of  the  greatest  outrage 
of  hostile  vengeance,  without  being  aware 
of  it,  the  uniformly  dignified  and  superior 
terms  of  the  American  communications  be- 
came, after  knowledge  of  that  disgrace  to 
their  country,  and  indeed  to  both  countries, 
and  continued,  constantly  more  stern,  un- 
yielding, and  unterrified  to  the  end :  and 
that  end  was  another  romaikable  and  for- 
tunate coincidence.  Allowing  for  the  change 
of  time  between  Ghent  and  Now  Orleans, 
the  treaty  was  signed  at  Ghent  just  as 
Jackson  defeated  the  first  detachment  of 
the  British  army,  on  the  night  of  the  23 1 
December,  1814;  so  that  negotiation  began 
in  disaster  and  closed  in  triumph. 

The  treaty  of  Ghent,  without  our  north- 
ern victories,  might  not  have  made  honor- 
able peace.    But,  unless  signed  before  the 


CHANGE  OF  TONE. 

-• — 


300 


southern  victories  could  bo  known  in  Eng- 
land, would  there  have  bLM!ii  any  treaty 
of  peace  at  all?  FortuDMtely  for  i\\\i 
country  when  our  fortune  seemed  to  be  in- 
varialite,  the  proud  and  miglity  empire  it 
waged  war  with,  was  eager  to  come  to  an 
aeconiinodation  before  it  knew  of  a  great 
discomfiture.  For  New  Orleans  might  have 
prevented  peace,  till  restoration  in  arms, 
as  many  Eiij^lish  declared  indispensaljlo 
even  without  that  defeat,  of  the  tarnished 
renown  of  Great  Britain. 

On  the  25tli  November,  1814,  the  cartel 
schooner  Chauncoy  arrived  at  New  York 
from  Ostend  in  the  then  uncommonly  short 
passage  of  twenty-five  days,  bringing  Mr. 
.John  Coimell,  a  merchant  of  JMiiUulel- 
pliia,  with  further  and  more  favorable 
dispatches  from  Ghent.  That  vessel  en- 
tered the  noble  liarl)or  of  New  York, 
garrisoned  by  twelve  thousand  soldiers, 
that  day  under  arms,  celebrating  the  an- 
niversary of  its  evacuation  l)y  the  British 
army  at  the  close  of  the  Kovolution.  From 
Boston  to  New  Orleans,  the  Atlantic  cities, 
real  cities,  not  nominal  capitals  like  Wash- 
ington, warned  by  its  fate,  Cochranc's  slave 
and  dcastation  oflicial  notices,  were  ^  .c- 
pared,  like  Baltimore,  to  defend  themselves, 
while  government  was  straining  every 
nerve  to  carry  the  war  into  British  Ame- 
rica, with  rational  confidence  that  the  cam- 
paign of  1815  would  much  surpass  that  of 
1814.  Boston  was  fortified  and  armed  by 
the  most  violent  opponents,  forced  to  be- 
come supporters,  of  the  war.  The  National 
Intelligencer  of  the  30th  November,  1814, 
adverting  to  the  dispatches  brought  by  the 
Chaiincey,  stated,  semi-oflicially,  that  "it 
would  be  highly  injudicious  for  our  go- 
vernment or  people  to  calculate  on  any 
advantages  to  result  to  our  interests  from 
events  to  happen  across  the  Atlantic." 

The  American  spirit  of  resistance  to  Bri- 
tish demand  had  become  national;  when 
a  little  spiteful  intiiction  of  hostile  ill- 
temper  terminated  our  intercourse  with 
Ghent.  Tho  naval  commander-in-chief, 
CocJirano,  refused  our  government  a  llag  of 
truce  to  take  the  last  dispatches  to  Ghent, 
so  that  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  let 
them  run  the  gauntlet  of  the  innumerable 
British  cruisers  vesm-  i.'io  Atlantic  from 
New  York  to  tho  Texel.  Tho  brig  Transit 
was  therefore  employed  to  carry  George 
Boyd,  one  of  the  clerks  at  Washington,  and 
brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Adams,  with  two  sets 
of  confidential  dispatches,  one  containing, 
besides  the  public  instructions,  such  private 
advices  as  were  deemed  unfit  for  the  ene- 
mj''s  information,  and  whiih  tho  bearer 
was  to  throw  overboard  whenever  about  to 
be  overtaken  by  a  British  vessel.  The  other 
package,  enveloped  to  the  American  minis- 
ters, was  accompanied  by  an  open  letter 
from  Ml'.  Monroe  to  Lord  Castlereagli, 
stating  that  Admiral  Cochrane,  having  ro- 


310 


TREATY  SIGNED. 


[1814. 


fused  a  flaj;  of  truco,  tlio  Pro.f'ulont  Imd  no 
moans  of  cunvoyiiij;  further  in.struetiona  to 
hlti  ministers  at  Cihent,  than  ]>y  committinj^ 
thoiii  to  the  honor  of  tlio  llritish  secretary. 
which  was  appeahnl  to  for  the  safo  anil 
speedy  transmission,  unonened,  to  tlieir 
d(!stination,  of  advices  important  to  peace. 
The  Transit  met,  fortunately,  with  no  Uri- 
tisli  vessel,  I)Ut  arrived  safely  in  Europe,  at 
that  p(>riod  of  uninterrnptetl  American  ;;ood 
luck.  Lord  Castl'jrea;!;h  s  nni>:cnanimity  was 
not  tri(>d  wlien  Admiral  (.'oclirano  refused 
the  cartel.  lUit  sudi  barbarism  was  oon- 
si.stent  with  Ills  orders  to  i>ro(daim  and 
execute  devastations,  and  with  Britisli  cun- 
tcmi)t  for  America. 

On  Christmas  eve,  Saturday  tho  2-ttii 
December,  iMld,  tlio  treaty  was  sit^ned,  in 
several  copies,  oi  wiiich,  as  the  secretary, 
Mr.  Iluf^iies,  C(nild  not  make  all  tlio  re- 
(juired  nuniljers  ns  soon  as  desired,  Mr. 
(Jlay  kindly  contributed  one  in  his  excel- 
lent hand-writ' np,  and  a  Polish  exiled  count, 
afterwards  killed  on  Jlirnnda's  expedition 
to  Mexico,  whom  Jlr.  Hughes  jjiMierously 
employed,  cojiied  another.  It  is  the  usaf;;e, 
on  such  occasions,  for  the  ministers  of  each 
nation  to  si,i!;n  lirst  their  own  copy  of  tho 
treaty,  and  for  tin;  si^^natures  of  the  other 
party  to  be  placed  beneath.  Hut  at  Ghent, 
the  I5ritish  ministers  overreachinj»  such 
alternation,  sij^ned  their  names  first,  before 
tho  Americans,  to  all  the  cc)pies,  ours  as 
well  as  theirs.  As  soon  as  the  copies  were 
all  signed,  Jlr.  Carrtdl  was  dispatched  with 
one  copy  to  bo  taken  to  America,  by  tho 
Avay  of  England,  and  Mr.  Hughes,  with 
another  by  the  way  of  Franco.  'J'ho  Ghent 
Journal  announced  tlio  treaty  as  "an  ar- 
rangement of  which  tho  terms  were  un- 
known, but  presumed  to  bo  oriually  honor- 
able to  botu  nations,"  adding,  in  the  midst 
of  tho  IJritish  garrison,  that  "tho  peace 
was  glorious  recompense  for  the  efforts  and 
patriotism  of  tho  Americans."  Tho  city 
authorities  of  Ghent,  in  a  body,  paid  their 
respects  personally,  and  congratulated  both 
thij  American  and  British  legations,  ami 
found  nothing  in  tho  admiral,  the  admiralty 
proctor,  or  the  future  chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer, superior  in  conversational  attrac- 
tion or  personal  intercourse,  as  in  negotia- 
tion, to  the  representaiives  of  the  New 
World. 

Mr.  Hughes  posted  tho  sa  o  night  to 
Paris,  to  embark  at  Uourdeaux  in  tho 
Transit.  Notwithstanding  tho  speed  of  his 
winter  journey,  day  and  night,  a  IJritish 
courier,  better  provided  with  means  of  rapid 
transport,  preceded  him,  and  ho  found  the 
American  minister  in  Eranoo,  Crawford,  in 

t»ossessi(m  of  tho  news  some  hours  before 
»Ir.  Hughes  flattered  himself  that  h.o  should 
bo  its  first  communicant.  The  Duke  of 
Wellington,  who,  from  tho  head  of  his  con- 
quering army,  had  boon  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Lord  Castlcrcagh  as  British  ambas- 


sador at  Paris,  was  tho  first  person  there  to 
receive  an  official  account  by  Estafetto  of 
the  signature  of  tho  treaty,  of  which,  by  a 
prompt  note  of  gracious  congratulation,  ho 
imuu'diatidv  informed  Mr.  Crawford;  so 
that  Mr.  llughes,  as  soon  ns  ho  reached 
Mr.  Crawford's  residence,  instead  of  im- 
parting, was  informed  by  him  of  tho  good 
news.  In  tho  at'terno(m,they  went  together 
to  wait  on  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  which 
was  tlio  commencement  of  p(;rsonal  int(!r- 
conrse,  flatteringly  forwarded  by  tho  i)uis- 
saut  British  ambassador,  breaking  throu,di 
the  forms  and  delays  that  (official  ceremonies 
might  have  interposed.  Tho  .Journal  of 
Paris,  of  the  31st  December,  1814,  noticed 
Mr.  Hughes'  arrival,  his  errand,  and  his 
fine  qualities  highly  apitreciated  at  Ghent. 
Xot  finding  the  Duke  at  his  residence  when 
Mr.  Hughes  called  there  with  Mr.  Crawford, 
Mr.  llughes  returned  the  sanu>  evening,  and 
was  courteimsly  i-eceivod  by  that  great  cap- 
tain, then  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  and  many 
victories,  to  bo  completed  next  sunnner  liy 
one  still  more  glorious  than  all  the  rest. 
His  intimacy  had  then  begun  with  the  three 
American  sisters,  of  Maryland,  Mr.  Huglies' 
State,  one  of  whom  married  a  member  cif  tho 
Duke's  military  family;  and  another,  his 
elder  brother,  through  whose,  as  well  as  liis 
own  merits,  Mr.  Hughes,  courteously  wel- 
comed l)y  tho  Duke  of  Wellington,  was  told 
by  him  that  he  rejoiced  in  the  teiniination 
of  what  ho  called  an  unnatural  and  useless 
war.  Tho  polito  circles  of  Paris  abounded 
with  volunteer  and  influential  advocates  of 
the  bravo  young  llepublic,  to  undervalue 
whose  weight  in  the  world.  Sir  James  Mack- 
intosh taught  circles,  both  Erench  and  Eng- 
lish, of  political,  social  and  literary  emi- 
nence, as  that  war  and  peace  established, 
was  an  English  error.  Madame  do  Stael, 
Lafayette,  Dupont  do  Nemours,  and  many 
other  champions,  vindicated  America.  Tal- 
leyrand cast  it,  a  goU'cn  apple  of  dis- 
cord, into  tho  Congress  of  Vienna,  where 
that  experienced  cultivator  of  many  in- 
tractable fields  sowed  dissension  to  check 
tho  aggrandizement  of  Great  Britain,  and 
through  the  maritime  states  of  Europe, 
operate  on  tho  Ghent  negotiation.  Ame- 
ricans in  Paris  found  it  necessary  to  wear 
eagles  in  tlieir  hats  to  distinguish  them  from 
Englishmen,  against  whom  Erench  vitupera- 
tion was  as  natural  as  admiration  of  Ameri- 
cans. Jladaino  do  Stael  told  Mr.  Hughes  that 
tho  Duke  of  AV^ellington  had  been  asked  if 
he  would  lead  an  expe<lition  to  restore  tho 
dilapidated  fortunes  of  European  warfare 
beyond  tho  Atlantic ;  to  which  ho  answered, 
that  if  commanded,  his  function  was  to 
obey,  and  do  what  ho  could ;  but  that  ho 
should  regret  tho  undertaking. 

A  letter  from  Paris,  published  in  Amei'i- 
can  newspapers  soon  after  the  treaty  of 
Ghent,  stated  that  tho  politicians  of  Paris 
couuectcd  with  England  there,  doubted  its 


' 


[1814. 

ion  tJioro  to 
Kstafi'tto  of 
wliiih,  l,y  a 
tiiliitioii,  ho 
iiwrord;   so 
lio  roachod 
<'ivtl  of  ini- 
'f  tlio  piod 
lit  to-ictlioi- 
^ton,  which 
lonal  intor- 
y  tlio  puis- 
n^'  tlin.u,rh 
coroinoiiicH 
Toiinial   of 
14,  noticed 
,  and  his 
at  Uhont. 
Iciu'o  \vhon 
.  Crawford, 
irninn;.  and 
''  /ri'cat  cap- 
. and  many 
iiunnior  hy 
11  the  rest, 
til  tlie  three 
Ir.IIiifrhes' 
inbcr  of  the 
notiier,  his 
well  as  his 
oonsly  wel- 
n,  was  told 
ci'.'nination 
md  useless 
3  abounded 
dvocates  of 
undervalue 
mes  Jlack- 
h  and  Eng- 
crary  emi- 
sta))lished, 
)  do  Stael, 
and  many 
>rica.   Tal- 
lo  of   dis- 
na,  wliere 
many   in- 
i  to  check 
itain,  and 
t"  Europe, 
m.    Amc-     ■ 
•y  to  wear 
hem  from 
ivitupera- 
of  Ameri- 
iglios  that 
asked  if 
store  the 
I  warfare 
mswered, 
1  was  to 
that  ho 

n  Amori- 
treaty  of 
of  Paris 
nbtcd  its 


Ohap.  XIII.] 


PEACE. 

f 


311 


ratification  at  Washington ;  lioca'.se  it  was  |  At  the  distance  then  of  America  from 
•whispcnMl  amonjj;  diplomatists  'iiat  Spain  F.urope,  thrice  what  It  is  now,  sinc(!  tho 
liad  ceded  Limisiana  and  the  Flori(his  to  two  continents  have,  hy  suhstitutinji;  steam 
Pn-illiind  for  her  services  in  Spain:  that  for  sail,  been  removed,  as  it  A»erc,  near  to 
Pakenham's    great  armada  was    to    take    each  other,  there  was  somethinn;  mysterious 

in  tho  inexpiica1)Io  transmission  of  intelli- 
gence, anticipated  sometimes  liy  either  con- 
jecture or  rumor,  with  nuirvellous  e.\fi(!ti- 
tudc.     The  Brason  sloop  of  war,  Cajjtain 


possession  of  New  Orleans;  and  then  from 
New  Orleans  treat  for  peace  w.th  the  Unit- 
ed States.  Stipulation  by  the  treaty  to  re- 
store all  territory,  jilaces  and  possessions 


taken  from  either  party  by  the  otiier  during    Sterling,  sailed  from  Portsmouth  the  oOtli  of 

'  ■  ■  "  '  I>ccemi)er,  JH14,  with  jicaco  dis])atches  for 
the  British  authoritie  in  America  ;  arrived 
at  Port  Jioyal,  Jamaica,  the  iM  of  Feljrua- 
ry  LS15,  and  sailed  thence  the  fifth  of  that 
month,  communicating  with  Admiral  Coch- 
rane ofi'  Jiouisiaua  boforo  the  I8th  of  Feb- 
ruary 1815,  who  that  day  mailc  known  tho 


the  war,  migiit  not  be  inconsistent  with 
holding  New  Orleans;  because,  argued  the 
Paris  letters,  the  American  title  to  Louis- 
iana being  doubtful,  Spain  never  having 
V(duntarily  transferred  that  jirovince  to 
France,  lionaparte  had  no  right  to  fell  it 
to  Jefferson.     After  the  peace  of  1783,  Kn- 


gland  witiiheld  tlio  frontier  posts  in  spite  of  j  fact  of  peace  to  Edwaril  Livingston,  visit- 
its  terms  urged  long  in  vain  liy  Washing- l  iiig  his  shlii,  the  Tonnant,  from  New  Orleans 
ton's  administration.  There  was  in  1815  as  ;  by  General  Jackson's  orders,  under  a  flag 
much  magic  in  tho  name  of  JJonaparte  to  !  of  truce,  for  an  exchange  of  jtrisoncrs. 
annul,  as  in  1803  there  was  to  establish,  his  j  But  early  in  and  throughout  February, 
acts;  and  his  alleged  fraudulent  transfer  of  1815,  the  impression  of  peace  prevailed  at 
Louisiana  could  be  pleaded  with  lietter  grace  i  AVasliington,  lirought  there  from  various, 
than  many  of  those  establishments  anui-   mostly   English,    sources    of   information. 


hilated  by  his  conquerors. 

On  the  Oth  of  January  1815,  tho  Transit 
sailed  from  Bourdeaux  with  Mr.  Hughes' 
copy  of  the  treaty,  and  Mr.  lUissell  and 


Tho  first  tidings  were  on  tho  2d  of  Februa- 
ry from  Castine,  then  a  British  possession 
in  constant  intercourse  with  Halifax,  wluiro 
a  vessel  arrived  the  31st  of  December  1814, 


Mr.  Slialer  his  compani(ms,  on  board  that  \  only  one  week  after  tho  treaty  was  signed, 
vessel,  which  did  not  land  her  pc.ssengers  and  when  cis-Atlantic  knowledge  of  it  was 
till  the  first  of  March,  at  New  London.  impossilde,  which  vessel  left  England  tho 

On  Jlonday,  the  iltJth  of  December  1814,  ninth  of  December,  two  weeks  before  tho 
»lie  treaty  left  Ghent  for  London  ;  the  Eng-  j  signature  of  tho  treaty,  reporting  that  im- 
lish  copy  taken  by  Mr.  Baker,  tho  English  mediate  peace  was  daily  expected.  Com- 
socretary ;  the  American  counterpart  by  !  mereial  letters  received  A'om  England  at 
Henry  Carroll,  son  of  Charles   Carroll  of  i  Halifax,  and  officers  of  tho  Maidstone  fri- 


Bellevue,  near  Georgetown,  before  men- 
tioned as  one  ()f  the  intimates  of  Madison 
and  ]Monr()e.  At  London  the  treaty  was  so 
far  altered  in  cabinet  coum'il  as  to  put  off 
peace  till  it  was  ratified  in  America ;  with  a 
view  no  doubt  to  military  operations,  as  to 
which  relaiive  distances  would  give  tho 
American  gov^rnment  advantages  such  as 
tho  British  had  for  negotiations  so  near 
them  at  (iheut.  A  sloop  of  war  called 
the  Favorite,  her  amiable  name  said  to  in- 
fluence tho  selection,  was  commissioned, 
equipped,  her  sails  bent,  water  and  provi- 
sions shipped,  all  within  sixteen  hours  after 
her  orders  for  sailing,  and  dispatched  to 
transport  Mr.  Baker,  with  orders  to  receive 
tlio  American  ratification,  and  thereupon 
announce  peace,  with  a  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties, to  the  British  commanders  of  fleets 
and  armies  in  America.  On  the  2d  of 
January,  1815,  the  Favorite  sailed  from 
England,  and  ou  the  11th  of  February, 
Saturday  evening,  landed  her  passengers 
at  New  York,  whence  Mr.  Carroll  immedi- 
ately hastened  to  Washington.  On  tho  12th 
of  February  ho  left  New  York,  and  on  Tues- 
day evening  the  13th,  delivered  the  treaty 
to  the  President.  Not  an  inch  redid  or  totst, 
were  the  first  words  wo  heard  at  Washing- 
ton of  the  treaty. 


gate  just  arrived  t'lere,  confirmed  the  re- 
)iort,  against  which,  when  published  at 
Washington,  the  i'  itlonal  Intelligencer  in 
vain  semi-oflicially  warned  Congress,  from 
the  first  reception  of  tlio  altered  British 
demands,  suj)inely  credulous  that  the  war 
would  soon  bo  over,  and  that  nothing  fur- 
ther was  wanted  bu*'  a  bank  to  cure  the 
currency,  which  Avas  the  absorbing  conside- 
ration. On  the  8th  of  February,  1815,  tho 
privateer  Harpy,  eluding,  as  so  many  of 
our  vessels,  vnvate  and  public,  did,  the 
British  swarming  on  tho  wintry  coast, 
got  safe  into  Boston,  with  English  repo  .'ts 
and  surmises,  as  late  as  Christmas,  that 
peace  was  certainly  at  hand,  the  Prince 
Regent's  speech  not  having  discountenanced 
it,  and  petitions  for  it  from  upwards  of 
sixty  manufacturing  places  havinfj  been 
presented  to  Parliament.  At  Washington, 
with  a  constant  belief  that  it  was  at  hand, 
there  was  a  feeling  of  such  national,  ad- 
ministrative, and  war  party  confidence, 
after  Jackson's  success,  that  peace,  though 
desired,  was  much  less  longed  for :  and  tho 
toi'ins  Jackson  had  rendered  almost  mat- 
ter of  indifference.  We  could  not  possi- 
bly lose  anything  but  the  ])art  of  Massa- 
chusetts which  disgracefully  accepted  tho 
yoke  ;  and  its  representative  in  the  lloueo 


312 


THE  TREATY  IN  ENGLAND. 


[1814. 


1 


m 


WHS  tlio  only  momher  of  Conf^resH  hiiviii;!; 
cauML'  for  (lisijuiot ;  tliat  jmrt  of  liis  tlistrlet 
liiiviii^  hot'ii  iriHistotl  on  titliltunt  us  liritisli, 
Hi  nmcli  iiH  Nortliiin»iitonnhiro.  But  wiir 
is  nil  onorons  and  unuiiHy  Htato,  n;^uin8t 
wliich,  liko  doiith,  tlio  wislios  and  jnayorM 
of  mankind  aro  jiorjjotually  oporatin;;  on 
tluiir  fcolings,  ho  tliat  almost  any  poaco  in 
welcome  ;  as  i)assen;;er,s  landed  after  a  lonj;' 
and  danp;erouH  sea  voya;;e  aro  transported 
Ijy  eortainty  that  dls((iuet  is  sneeoecled  by 
Bafety.  Monday  evening,  the  loth  of  Feb- 
ruary 1815,  it  was  currently  reported  at 
Was^iington  that  one  of  the  seeretaries  of 
the  (ihent  mission  had  arrived  at  New 
York  witii  preliminaries  of  peace.  Nt^xt 
morniiif;  the  rumor  was  in  print  that  Mr. 
Carroll  had  landed  at  New  York  with  them, 
and  on  ]Monday,  the  loth  of  February, 
j  1815,  the  National  lutelliyoucer  oflieially 

published: 

"  We  have  the  ploasui-o  to  announce  that 
the  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  as  sif^ned  by  all 
the  commissioners  of  both  ]iarties  at  Ghent, 
on  the  24th  December,  1814,  was  last  even- 
ing delivered  by  Mr.  Carroll  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  who  immediately  submitted 
it  to  the  President.  The  general  principle 
of  the  treaty  is  a  restitution  and  recogni- 
tion of  the  rights  and  possessions  of  each 
party,  as  they  stood  before  the  war ;  with 
adciiuato  provisions  to  settle  all  the  dis- 
puted jtoints  of  boundary,  by  connnission- 
crs,  subject  to  the  decision  of  an  amicable 
sovereign,  in  case  the  commissioners  do  not 
agree  in  opinion.  The  title  to  the  islands 
in  the  Bay  of  Passamaquoddy  being  con- 
troverted, the  possession  will  remain  with 
the  parties  respectively,  which  now  hold 
them,  until  the  commissioners  decide  upon 
\  the  title,  but  without  prejudice  to  the  claim 

of  either  party.  Periods  are  fixed  for  the 
restitution  of  maritime  captures  in  diiferent 
latitudes,  and  hostilities  aro  to  cease  as 
Boon  as  the  ratifications  of  the  treaty  are 
exchanged  at  "Washington.  It  is  understood 
that  Mr.  B.aker  is  the  bearer  of  the  treaty 
ratified  by  the  Prince  Ilegent :  and  will  be 
ready  to  exchange  the  ratifications  when 
the  President  and  Senate  have  passed  upon 
the  subject.  AVe  arc  happy  to  add,  that  the 
treaty  is  thought  in  all  respects  to  be  hon- 
orable to  the  iiati(jn,  and  to  the  negotiators. 
The  President  will  probably  lay  it  before 
the  Senate  to-morrow." 

With  what  instant  preference  for  peace 
and  kindness  to  England  a  treaty  was  re- 
ceived in  America  shall  bo  told  hereafter : 
with  what  wounded  pride,  in  England,  the 
British  press  shall  tell. 

On  the  21st  November,  1814,  the  London 
Times  began  its  lamentations  over  defeat 
and  peace — witii  defeat,  thus : 

"  It  is  singular  enough  that  the  first  dis- 
tinct notice  of  what  has  been  going  on  at 
Ghent,  should  be  conveyed  to  us  from  the 


'  other  side  of  the  Atlantic;  but  the  Presi- 
dent found  it  HO  much  to  his   interest  to 
disclose  to  the  nation  the  negotiations,  tiiut 
he  liiis  not  lost  a  moment  in  laying  the  de- 
tails before  CongrcsH,  and  no  less  tiian  ten 
tliousaml  copies    liavo  been   printed  and 
circulated.     Our  readers  will  do   us  the 
justice   to   recollect,   that  wo    have   never 
augured  any  good   from  the  negotiations. 
i  Wo    most  distinctly   see    that   they   have 
been  jiroductivo  of  serious  evil.     The  Bri- 
i  tish    government  has   been    tricked    into 
I  bringing  forward  demands  which  it  had 
I  not   the  power  to  enforce,  and   these   do- 
\  maiuls  have  been  made  the  means  of  uniting 
.  against  it  tho  whole   American   rieo))le." 
I  "  At  a  subsequent  meeting,  on  tno    lUtli 
I  August,    tho   British   coniniissioners   used 
j  elaborate  reasonings  to  persuade  Messrs. 
I  Clay,  llussell,&e.,  that  it  would  be  desirable 
that  the  United  States  should  give  up  many 
I  places  of  which  they  aro  in  quiet  possession ; 
but,  unfortunately,  the  American  gentlemen 
I  wore  insensible  to  this  logic."    On  the  3Uth 
'  November,    speaking    of   tho    anticipated 
peace,  that  journal  said,  "Besides,  it  is  to  bo 
remembered  that  wo  have  at  this  moment  a 
\  powerful   expedition  directed   against  tho 
!  southern  boundary  of  the  United  States.  Two 
i  sail  of  the  line,  several  frigates,  and  probably 
\  not  less  than  ten  thousand  troops  have  been 
directed  to  this  undertaking.     Some  of  tho 
j  ships  of  war  went  round  to  Jamaica,  to 
I  take    on  board  two   black  rajimenls,   and 
subsequently  four    other   regiments  have 
been   sent  off  to  join   the  expedition,   of 
which  it  is  impossible  that  we  should  learn 
the  result  in  a  less  period  of  time  than  four 
or  five  months." 

Tho  editorial  article  of  tho  Morning 
Post,  of  27th  December,  referred  to  the  points 
left  open  by  the  treaty  signed  on  the  24th, 
and  hoped  that  a  proper  firmness  would  bo 
manifested  on  the  jiart  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, "  more  especially  as  we  are  now  about 
to  assume  a  more  imposing  and  command- 
ing attitude  than  ever,  amply  provided 
with  the  moans  of  enforcing  our  just  de- 
mands, and,  if  necessary,  of  regaining  tho 
lost  laurels  of  our  heroes  of  tho  Peninsula." 
"On  this,  as  on  every  other  occasion,  the 
opposition  can  only  be  mentioned,  to  bo 
hiughed  at,  or  despised.  The  war  in  Eu- 
rope over,  they  contended  the  causes  of  tho 
American  contest  had  ceased,  and  there- 
fore the  war  ought  to  terminate  also.  This 
was  a  flight  of  impudence,  which  the  Ame- 
ricans themselves  could  not  easily  como  up 
to,"  &c. 

28//t  December.  "  The  theatres  are  liko  a 
graduated  scale,  by  Avhicli  the  public  opin- 
ion upon  public  events  suddenly  promul- 
gated, is  unerringly  estimated.  The  feeling 
which  was  manifested  on  tho  evening  be- 
fore last,  [the  fact  of  a  treaty  having  been 
concluded  with  America,  was  announced  at 
each  house,]  too  clearly  iadicated  that,  ou 


ClIAP.  XIII.] 


THE  TREATY  IN'  ENGLAND. 


313 


li 


it  tho  I'rosi- 
iiitcrt'Nt  to 
iatioim,  that 
yii»K  tlio  (lo- 
OM(j  tlmii  tea 
iiiiito(i  and 
<i'>    UN   tho 
iiivo  never 
''^'"tiivtionH. 
tlic.v  Imvo 
..    Thollii- 
I'icked    into 
lieh  it  liiid 
theao   de- 
ls of  unitin;; 
in   iieople." 
u  tho    I'Jth 
oners   used 
de  Messi-H. 
)e  desiniblo 
0  up  ninny 
poMsesHJoii ; 
1  gentlemen 
)u  tlio  3Ulh 
autieipatoj 
's,  it  is  to  1)0 
i  moment  11 
iKuinst  tho 
itiites.  Two 
id  probaJ)ly 
i  liave  hoeu 
omo  of  tho 
umaieu,   to 
ncnfn,   aud 
lents  have 
edition,   of 
lould  leaiu 
i  than  four 

I   Morning 
)  tho  points 
1  tlie  24th, 
I  wouhl  bo 
sJi  govern- 
now  about 
command- 
provided 
ir  just  de- 
Ining  tlio 
ninsula." 
asion,  the 
cd,  to  be 
ir  in  Eu- 
ses  of  tho 
nd  thcro- 
so.    Thia 
tho  Amo- 
como  up 

ire  liko  a 
jlic  opin- 
promul- 
0  fooling 
ning  be- 
ing beea 
unced  at 
that^  ou 


this  occasion,  our  triumph  was  very  far 
from  being  complete.  Tho  intelligence  of 
peace,  always  most  exhilarating  in  the  ab- 
Htract,  was  hero  viewed,  on  tho  impiilse  of 
tho  moment,  as  accompanied  by  a  latent 
cause  for  mortification.  One  consolation 
only  still  remains,  and  we  are  not  with- 
out hopo,  that  before  the  intelligence  of  tho 
iiacitieation  can  reach  America,  some  (jrcat 
blow,  guided  by  an  able  hand,  will  have 
been  struck  on  our  part." 

'J'ho  Sun,  a  ministerial  paper,  indulged 
in  the  same  language,  thougli,  on  tho  arrival 
of  the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  it  was  candid 
enough  to  say,  "  with  redouljled  satisfac- 
tion, under  tho  present  aspect  of  Europe, 
we  Communicate  to  tho  public  tho  gratify- 
ing event,"  &c.  "A\'o  this  day  lay  tho 
American  treaty,  that  important  and  sea- 
sonable document,  at  full  length  before  our 
readers." 

22d  December.  The  intelligence  this  day 
is  headed  "Most  important  news  from  Ame- 
rica. This  morning  we  received,  by  way  of 
Quebec,  American  papers  to  the  beginning 
of  last  month,  and  Quebec  papers  to  the 
17th  ultimo.  Tho  former  are  of^the  utmost 
importance.  They  contain  tho  American 
Secretary  of  War's  letter  to  Congress,  with 
explanatory  remarks,  urging  tho  necessity 
of  bringing  into  tho  field,  at  the  beginning 
of  tho  ensuing  camjjaign,  one  hundred  thou- 
sand regular  troops.  Ho  declares  that 
peace  is  not  to  bo  expected  from  negotia- 
tion, but  from  tho  sword ;  that  the  Ameri- 
can g(tvernment  must  not  give  way  to  a  sin- 
gle point,  or  concede  one  right,  and  he  as- 
serts that  the  war  must  be  pushed  into 
Canada,  accompanying  tho  assertion  with 
the  conviction  of  the  power  of  tho  United 
States  to  expol  us  from  tho  continent  of 
America.  It  is  this  most  important  intelli- 
gence, probably,  that  has  produced  of  late 
such  fi-eciucriV  and  late  sittings  of  the 
Cabinet." 

2G//t  December.  A  second  edition  of  the 
Courier  states,  "Wo  have  just  received  in- 
formation from  authority,  that  peace  was 
signed  with  tho  United  States  of  America 
on  Saturday  last,  24th  inst." 

2~'\  December.  "  Mr.  Baker,  the  bearer  of 
the  treaty,  did  not  reach  London  till  late  in 
tlio  day,  at  4  o'clock.  Nothing  had  transpired 
at  the  public  offtces.  Soon  afterwards,  how- 
ever, a  letter  was  sent  to  the  lord  mayor, 
and  we  procured  a  sketch  of  the  terms  upon 
which  peace  had  been  concluded.  Wo  can 
see  many  circumstances  in  the  pi'csent  state 
of  affairs,  botli  internal  and  external,  which 
might  make  a  termination  of  the  war  de- 
sirable, but  we  never  could  have  appi'ovod 
tho  termination  of  it,  by  tho  concession  of 
one  point  of  honor." 

2Wi  December.  "But  those  who  disapprove 
of  the  treaty  argue  as  if  our  naval  reputation 
had  been  blasted  by  the  war ;  as  if  it  had 
received  an  almost  mortal  wouud.    Again, 


j  can  it  not  be  easily  Ciinecivod  that  the  eon- 
1  tinuaiue  of  llio  war  with  Anu'rica  might 
have  an  efl'ret  by  no  means  f'aviinil>lo  at 
Vienna?  That  it  migiit  prevent  us  fnni 
assuming  an  entire  freedom  of  altitude; 
that  many  reiiroMcntations  which  we  might 
make  would  liave  le.'^s  efl'cet  fmm  the  idea 
that  our  attention  and  force  were  chieliy 
oeeupii'd  in  a  war  on  tho  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic?  Let  it  be  rec(dleeted  that  we 
were  the  only  power  at  the  Congress  en- 
gaged in  war;  that  all  the  rest  were  able  to 
direct  their  whole  care  to  the  business  of 
negotiation  and  neaco." 

Jcuinurij  3(/,  iSir).  Tho  expedition  against 
New  Orleans  is  referred  to,  and  its  hueeess 
anticipated ;  "  but  in  consequence  of  peace, 
the  place  will  'jc  given  up."  In  the  same 
papi«r  it  is  stated,  "that  at  Bristol  tho 
member  for  that  town  had  read  a  letter 
from  the  JCarlof  Liverpool,  which  contained 
an  abstract  of  tho  terms  of  the  Treaty  of 
America  ;  and  in  which  the  noble  earl  ad- 
verted to  tho  period  of  lime  that  would 
necessarily  transpire  before  tho  ratification 
could  bo  exchanged,  observing  that  hostili- 
ties would  be  continued  in  the  meantime, 
and  that  it  would  probably  bo  late  in  tho 
ensuing  year  before  our  fleets  and  armies 
would  be  withdrawn  from  America.  His 
lordship  adiled,  '  That  on  these  accounts 
it  might  still  be  deemed  necessary  to  con- 
tinue tho  property  tax  until  Ai)ril,  1810.'" 

Vdth  January.  "An  article  from  A'ienua  of 
the  3d  January  says,  '  that  the  language  of 
Great  Britain  has  been  more  energetic  since 
the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  with  America.' 
AVhen  wo  proceeded  to  tho  Congress  Avith 
the  war  still  on  our  hands,  it  might  easily 
be  conceived  that  our  representations  could 
not  have  all  the  weight  they  would  have 
had  without  this  incumbrui)ce.  But  en- 
abled, and  unexpectedly  to  tho  European 
powers,  to  throw  it  off,  and  say  the  war  is 
terminated  with  America,"  &c. 

2^M  January.  In  tho  paper  of  this  day  is  an 
article,  dated  Vienna,  7tli  January.  "The 
conclusion  of  peace  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States  has  produced  a  change 
in  tho  tone  of  tho  notes  of  Lord  Castlcrcagh, 
which,  to  tho  16th  December,  were  couched 
in  language  not  vei'y  energetic.  The  courier 
arrived  to-day  from  London,  appears  to  have 
brought  fresh  instructions  to  the  English 
ambassador,  v(\\o  has  since  pressed  strongly 
the  termination  of  tho  negotiations." 

Another  London  paper,  of  tho  29th  De- 
cember, 1814,  published : — 

"  We  understood  that  a  copy  of  the  treaty 
was  laid  befoi-e  the  cabinet  on  Monday  last, 
and  acceded  to  with  the  mere  addition  of 
the  clause,  that  hostilities  shall  continue 
until  the  ratification.  In  tho  interval,  our 
readers  will  recollect  Mr.  Monroe's  letter, 
with  explanatory  observations,  has  been  re- 
ceived, in  which  it  is  declared,  that  the 
rights  claimed  by  America  shall  not  bo. 


314 


THE  TREATY  IN  ENGLAND. 


[1814. 


rodoil  ill  fi  sin;rl''  in'itfttif o ;  tli;it  tin-  ciHiiiii;; 
('iuii|>iii;rii  iniiNt  iijiiMi  with  iin  urniy  tji  one 
iiiinilrcil  (liuiisiiinj  iin'ii,  a  I'lii'ci'  (ircMiiiricil 
fully  »'<iini  itriit  to  expel  the  Kn;:,liHh  IVmii 
the  Ainerii'iii\  ciintiuent,  iiiiil  timt  for  tliix 
piiriMise  rcciiiirse  must  he  liiiil  to  II  iiiilitiiry 
c<)iis('ri|itioii ;  to  \vlii<'li  Ainerieiiu  impers 
a'ltl,  tliiit  thin  iirt)|inHitiiin  was  so  Avell  re- 
reivetl,  thiit  hills  Cor  carryiiii:  it  into  etrcit 
hiul  hi'eii  liroii;i.ht  into  ('on;;ress,  and  imssed 
tliruiij^l' H'.'veral  sta;:;es  in  the  short  spaee  of 
ten  tlavH  from  its  first  recoiiiineiiilatioii. 
The  lulvoeates  for  war,  who  form  an  iietive 
ami  iiiimeroiis  ))oily  in  theeity,  flatter  theiii- 
Helves  that  the  dotermiiieil  ami  inveterate 
siiirit  of  hostility  displayed  in  these  jiro- 
ceedin;:s  will  ^^eiierate.  hoth  in  this  eonntry 
and  in  Aineriea,  ditfieiilties  and  discontents 
that  may  ]irevent  tlii>  ratification  of  the 
treaty.  They  think  it  very  hard  to  have 
lioon'witnessiiif!;  two  or  three  dull  acts  of  a 
trnc^edy,  exiiiliitiiif;  only  the  minor  and  pre- 
jtaratory  ineiilents,  and  that  the  curtain 
tihmiUl  drop  abruptly,  at  th(>  very  moment 
when  tlioy  wereexpectinji;  thef;raiid  denone- 
ment.  It  certainly  is  a  disappointment  that 
must  not  a  little  hurt  their  feidinj^H  and 
Tvonnd  their  pride;  but  it  is  one,  we  appre- 
hend, they  must  nndiivo  with  the  same  pa- 
tionoo  with  which  they  havo  endured  its 
authors,  the  present  ministers.  The  ox- 
traordinarv  ^rumblinj^  Avhicli  took  ])laco  at 
the  Stock  I'iXchange  yesterday,  although  a 
holiday,  is  now  fully  explained. 

"Mr.  Baker,  the  bearer  of  the  dispatches, 
nrrlvcd  yestt^rday,  about  twelve  o'clock ; 
and,  soon  after,  Lord  Liverpool  carviod  them 
to  Carlton  House,  whero  Ik;  had  a  long  inter- 
view with  the  Prince  Eogont. 

"  The  terms  of  tho  treaty  are  not  liked ; 
and  the  funds,  which  rose  yostciday  upon 
its  first  nnnounconiont,  and  the  immensity 
of  business  done  by  anticipatiou,  havo  de- 
clined." 

The  Times  deplored  it  as  a  peace  of  Euro- 
pean necessity  as  much  as  American  disas- 
ter, occasioned  by  disclosures  of  maritime 
independence,  at  the  Congress  of  A'ienna, 
whero  Russia,  Prussia  and  Austria  inclined 
to  sustain  Madison's  innovations  on  the 
marine  code.  "Those  who  liy British  sub- 
Kidios  and  fortitude  were  uphold,  when  quail- 
ing under  Bonaparte,  desert  Great  Britain 
retiring  from  the  American  contest  with  tho 
stripes  of  Plattsljurg  and  Baltimore  bleed- 
in'.;  on  our  backs.  There  is  scarcely  one 
Amv.rican  ship  that  has  not  to  boast  a  vie- 
to- y  over  tho  British  flag;  not  one  British 
snip  iu  chirt;;  jr  forty  chat  can  boast  such 
an  honor.  SVc  retire  rrorathe  conflict  with 
the  balijii''e  of  defeat  s>^  heavily  against  us; 
tli'c  is  o>ii'  complaint.  Tho  inevitable  oon- 
sequcnces  arc  tho  speedy  growth  of  an 
American  navy,  and  tho  recurrence  of  a 
more  formidable  American  war.  AVo  kiss 
tho  rod,  when  wo  should  retaliate  its  exer- 
cise.   Such  fivlso  and  feeble  humanity  is 


not  caliMilatcd  fur  the  guiilance  of  nationN 
who  re(|iiirc  war  as  a  tremendous  I'ligine  of 
Justice,  in  calm  andivcn  tender  calculution 
of  consc((uence> .  Bette  •  is  it  that  we  slioiihl 
graiiple  with  the  youn;;  lion  when  lirst 
flushed  with  the  tnste  o.'"  our  flcMli,  thiin 
wait  until,  in  tin;  maturit_.  of  hi.i  -■tnii^ith, 
he  bears  away  at  once  both  sheep  mid  shc|)- 
herd.  Preparations  are  niuking  for  an  ex- 
tend(>d  system  of  warliire,  should  the  Pre- 
sident diday  the  ratification  of  the  treaty, 
when  every  ship  and  every  sailor  must  IJo 
employed  to  aild  weight  to  our  negotiations 
at  S'ienna,  whose  negotiations  and  fetes  arc 
inlinitely  insignilicant  eompare(l  with  the 
nrobable  growth  id"  the  American  navy  aiul 
loss  of  our  transatlantic  jirovinces." 

Such  hostile  teacdiing  by  confession  and 
comphiint,  accompanied  the  tin-nis  (d"  peace, 
when  scarcidy  any  terms  could  have  been 
dishonorable  in  the  midst  of  our  sm  i  ,'sses, 
the  groans  of  the  British  jiress,  iiiid  the  ap- 
]ilauso  of  Euroiic.  Tho  oprnion  was  uni- 
versal, that  a  patient  ])eople  had  been 
mistaken  for  pusillanimous,  and  of  gr.-at 
resource  when  treatiMl  as  impoverished. 
American  loan  stock  rose  lifteen  per 
cent,  in  Holland.  The  European  conviction 
was,  that,  single-handed,  tin;  United  States 
proved  an  over-match  for  Great  Britain.  As 
soon  as  made  known  in  London,  by  the 
ministers'  letters  to  the  mayor,  tho  treaty 
was  proclaimed  at  all  the  theatres.  By  ono 
o'clock  in  the  day,  a  great  rise  took  fdaco 
in  the  funds,  and  large  purchases.  Wherev- 
er informed  throughout  liiigland,  the  peo- 
ple seemed  jiloased,  particularly  in  tho 
manufacturing  places.  At  Birmingham  an 
immense  assemblage  took  tho  horses  from 
the  mail,  and  dragged  it  to  tho  post-office. 
Still,  apprehensions  of  thoratilication  of  tho 
treaty  wore  thus  expressed  in  tho  Times, 
of  the  .31st  December: 

"  Whether  Mr.  Madison  may  or  may  not 
ratify  tho  treaty  of  Ghent,  will,  perhaps, 
depend  on  the  result  of  tho  exjiedition  to 
New  Orleans;  the /icrmrtHOi/f  occupation  of 
which  place  W'>uld  bo  a  fatal  blow  to  tho 
American  views  of  aggrandizement  on  tho 
side  of  Louisi  lu;'.  But  that  blow  Mr. 
Madison  ha?  it  now  ir.  his  power  to  parry 
with  a  stroke  of  tho  pen.  We  trust  that  ho 
is  strictly  limited  to  its  immediate  ratifi- 
cation, besides  being  required  to  retract 
tho  insolent  and  menacing  expressions  in 
Monroe's  answer  to  Admiral  Cochrane's 
letter.  At  Birmingham,  Manchester,  and 
ono  or  two  other  manufacturing  ])laces,  tho 
peace  was  received  with  demonstrations  of 
joy,  it  is  true.  But  tho  funds  havo  fallen, 
and  the  terms  excited  no  satisfaction  at 
Liverpool,  whoso  merchants  are  well  ac- 
quainted with  tho  complexion  of  American 
politics,  and  where  tho  general  opinion  was, 
that  if  Madison  could  And,  by  any  means, 
resources  to  carry  on  the  war,  he  would  re- 
joice in  adding  to  tho  indignities  ho  has 


[1814. 

<'f  iiiitioiiH 
"II  I'll;.'!!!!'  (if 
"■'■uliiiliitiiiii 

111  WcnIiiiiiI,! 

"Iii'ii    lirst 

th'H\,,  (|„m 

is  'itrciiM-tli, 

l'|l  1111.1    NllCp- 

i;;  tiir  an  ex- 

il<l  th(«  |>r,.. 

till*  treaty, 

li>r  iiiimt  )'i(< 

iii'^i'iitiatioiis 

111(1  f'cti'H  ai'(3 

'I  with  the 

11  tiavy  and 

(•l>S." 

ifi'Msioii  nnil 

lis  cf  peace, 

have  heen 

and  the  iip- 

•u  was  uni- 

liail    heeri 

ml  of  firoat 

poveriMhed. 

lii'teen  per 
II  eonvietidii 
iiited  States 
Uritaiii.  As 
loi),  by  the 
,  the  treaty 
■es.    By  oiiu 

took  place 
s.  Whi'rcv- 
lul,  the  peo- 
rly  in  the 
iiiii^^ham  an 
lorscH  from 

Jiost-ofiiee. 
ation  of  tlio 
tlio  Times, 

or  may  not 
I,  perhaps, 
pedition  to 
•upation  of 
jIow  to  tlio 
loiit  on  tho 

bhjw  Mr. 
T  to  parry 
nut  that  ho 
liato  ratiii- 

to  retract 
"ossions  in 
Dochrane'a 
lestor,  and 
places,  tho 
trations  of 
avo  fallen, 
faction  at 
0  well  ac- 
Amorican 
inion  was, 
ny  means, 

would  re- 
OS  ho  has 


CUAP.  XIII.l 


STATE  OF  ENGLAND. 


810 


lioaped  upon  uo,  tliftt  of  refusing  to  rutify 
the  treaty." 

The  Mritish  (government  made  a  poaco 
witli  Anieriea,  decried  in  Kn;'':tnd  a.s  th.it 
Avitli  i'ranci)  was  welcomed :  (lie  one 
j^ratifyiii;?,  the  otiier  nu.i  llt'yln;;  the  pride 
ivnd  expectations  of  a  );rc  /  lian;;hty,  and 
cominandinj;  peojile.  Not  Ion;;  alter  gene- 
ral I'iuropcaii  eondemnatioii  and  l',n;{liNh 
compiinetiori  for  their  only  and  much  scan- 
dali/ed  victory  (d'tliat  year,  at  Wasliinjjton, 
orders  were  sent  to  the  IJritisli  commanders 
in  America,  eounternnindinj^  Cochrano's 
])rior  instructions  to  proclaim  indiscrimi- 
nate devastation.  From  midsummer  till 
Christmas  tho  tono  of  Enijlisli  licrco  con- 
tidenco  was  continually  falling;  though, 
poaco  at  all,  and  still  more,  its  con- 
cossions,  extorted  terms  of  disa])poliit- 
inont.  "  The  peo])lo  of  Eii;::land,  said 
Cob))ett,  "were  utterly  astonished  and  con- 
founiled  at  Jieace,  which  not  only  failed  to 
e8tal)lish  tho  viceroyalty  promised  on  the 
capture  of  Washinf^ton,  hut  any  American 
cai>itulation,  territorial,  or  maritime.  Not 
a  point  was  gained,  or  menace  realized." 
"  Wo  had  to  contend  with  the  Americans 
at  home."  said  Lord  Melville,  lahorin;;;  to 
explain  JJritish  naval  failures.  "  Y'es,"  said 
Coldiett,  "and  if  j-ou  contiiuio  tho  war, 
it  will  last  several  years  yet  of  American 
triumphs,  for  there  aro  no  tits  and  starts,  or 
chanfi;es  of  ministry,  in  Jonathan's  steady 
politics  and  cheap  govornnnMit."  "  Fur- 
thermore," said  that  sturdiest  of  all  Ame- 
rican advocates  in  En<:;land,  "  you  gratify 
many  wise  Americans,  who  reckon  English 
injuries  blessings  to  their  country.  Not 
only  maritime  rights  were  at  issue,  but 
form  of  governments:  a  trial  of  republican- 
ism against  roj'alty.  The  greatest  naval 
power  in  tho  world,  mistress  of  tho  ocean, 
staked  her  all  against  the  feeblest  republic, 
in  a  contest  for  life  or  death,  by  which,  wlio- 
ovor  failed,  would  bo  beat  completely,  never 
to  resume  the  former  state."  A'ain  cali'ula- 
tions,  and  immense  expenditures  to  destroy 
the  American  goveriimont,  sunder  tho 
Union,  depose  tho  chief  magistrate,  con- 
quer ]iarts  of  tho  country,  if  not  rc-coloni/e 
the  wh(de,  at  least  cripple  and  retard  its 
growth  tV)r  half  a  century ;  what  did  tli(\v 
come  to,  but  Great  Britain,  inordinately 
victorious  in  Europe,  invariably  defeated  in 
Amcric;'  ? 

"Mo.ivos  for  peace,"  said  tho  Halifax 
]v(>^ordor,  "were  found  in  IJritisli  disasters 
ir  t'anada,  ]iartii'nlarly  on  tho  lakes."  If  it 
]  id  be(>n  made  with  that  of  I'aris  in  Apvil, 
JSl4,  Kngland  ■'■  ■  uld  have  escaiied  the  dis- 
asters of  Plait-!'  ig,  :ind  *'e\v  Orleans,  and 
the  disgrace  at  Washing!    i. 

The  treaty  of  Ghent  n  >pting  the  terms 
suggested  ]iy  tie  Amen., in  commi->ioners 
tho  2.')th  August,  1S14,  made  peace  by  mu- 
tual restoration  of  territory',  andnuitual  si- 
lence aa  to  what  had  become  abstract  nucs- 


tions  of  maritime  rights.  The  reception  of 
those  terms  bv  the  Kngli>h  publii'  Inis  been 
presented,  as  milicaleil  byihe  pi s.  Seve- 
ral years  afterwards,  the  (Juarlerly  I'eview 
(Milrcli,  IS-JS)  conl'cssed.  thai  pcaci'  with 
the  I'nited  .*>tates  had  the  eH'cct  ti>  "lea\<f 
the  gii\ernmi'nt  of  this  country  free  and 
unembarrassed,  at  a  most  eventful  Juncture, 
to  take  that  great  and  leading  part  pre- 
sently after  incoiiliiiintalaH'airs  wliich  tlieir 
extracir(llnarv  character  so  imperati\elv  de- 
manded." On  the  'J.id  May,  ls\  I,  repeal  of 
the  corn  laws  was  brought  forward  in  Par- 
liament by  iMlitions  presenled,  «['  which  tho 
Hrititdi  A'nnual  Kegister  stated,  that  "tho 
members  who  jirescnted  them  thought  it 
thi'ir  duty  in  some  instances  to  express  thi'ir 
sense  of  the  danger  that  might  arise  fmni 
urging  nmasures  so  unpopular  with  a  great 
part  of  the  nation."  Such  in  part  was 
the  conjuncture,  whose  perils  and  outrag'.'d 
need  but  bo  alluded  to.  An  entire  view 
of  tho  subject  caniKjt  be  in*erti'<l  in  this 
V(dume,  already  exceeding  its  intcndeil 
dimensions.  IJut  it  would  do  injustieo 
to  leave  it  without  at  least  a  glance  at  tho 
situation  of  England,  at  home,  and  through- 
out Europe,  contributing,  with  Aim-rican 
lirmness  and  successes,  to  comind  IJritish 
abandonnumt  sudden  of  jirctenslons  in  tho 
(lush  of  triumph  and  contidenco  of  power 
lirst  advanced  at  tJhent. 

Jjord  Liverpool's  letter  to  tho  member 
for  Bristol,  already  quoted  from  a  London 
Journal,  concurs  with  every  other  indica- 
tion to  show  how  sever(dy  the  inconu!  tax, 
which  all'ected  chiefly  the  rich  and  intluen- 
tial,  together  with  the  wludo  financial 
pressure,  urged  tho  ministry  to  relievo 
the  country.  They  were  eager  to  ludd 
out  tho  jirospeet  of  peace  with  the  United 
States  as  tho  means  of  relief.  Tho  Cou- 
rier, as  before  quoted,  signiticantly  stated 
that  "there  wore  many  circumstances  in 
the  present  state  of  things,  both  internal 
and  external,  which  might  nniko  a  termi- 
nation of  tho  war  desirable."  And  tho 
Sun,  as  (|Uotod,  welcomed  tho  seasmu'lle 
peace.  >Ianufactures,  Ireland,  India,  tho 
income  tax,  tho  corn  laws,  combined  to 
render  the  crisis  alarming.  Gii  the  9th 
March,  1815,  when  it  was  not  known  in 
England  that  the  treaty  of  Ghent  had  been 
ratified  in  America,  the  imperative  necessity' 
of  military  repression  in  London  was  pal- 
pable from  the  following  publication  in  tho 
Courier.  "It  would  bo  unjust  not  to  pay  a 
tribute  of  apiplause  to  the  promj)t,  vigorous 
and  vigilant  conduct  of  the  Homo  Depart- 
ment throughout  the  whole  of  those  out- 
rages. The  alacrity  and  judgment  with 
which  they  collected  and  distributed  tho 
military  fort'o  were  admirable.  There  aro 
now  in  iiOndon, besides  tho  household  troops 
and  \y){\\  dragoons,  which  occupy  the  king's 
mews,  &:e.,  the  lOth  dragoons  at  the 
queen'ri    riding   house,    the   5tli   dragoou 


31G 


THE  ENGLISH  IN  EUROPE. 

-• — 


[1814. 


! 


-ii^ 


puards  ■vvoro  at  RumforJ,  tho  7tli  hussars  at 
l»utnoy,  tlio  18tli  at  Lainboth.  Tho  5th 
rof^iinont  of  foot  is  at  Kniglitalu'idgo,  ami 
tho  iirst  Lincoln  militia  in  tlio  Tower.  A 
great  nunil)cr  of  troops  were  also  drawn 
yestorihiy  into  town  and  its  vicinity.  There 
Avas  not  a  foot  soldier  left  to  mount  guard 
at  Windsor  yesterday,  a  circumstance  un- 
precedented." 

Such  was  tho  condition  of  London,  as 
much  under  military  government  then,  as 
ever  Paris  has  been.  And  that  of  other 
))laces  Avas  not  much  less  so.  "During  tho 
show  of  cattlo  near  Norwich,"  a  journal 
stated,  "the  i>opulacc  asseuihled in  a  tumul- 
tuous manner  around  Mr.  Coke,  Lord  Al- 
hemarle,  and  other  gentlemen,  whom  they 
assailed  with  stones,  hisses  and  groans,  and 
cries  of  no  corn  bill.  It  was  necessary  to 
make  good  their  retreat  to  the  Angel  inn, 
where  they  were  followed  Ijy  the  mob.  Tho 
mayor,  shoritf,  and  magistrates  interposed 
in  vain.  '^Ir.  Coke  and  his  friends  escaped 
secretly  al)out  the  time  the  IJrunswick  hus- 
sars, commanded  by  Col.  Von  Tcmporly, 
were  draAvn  up  in  tho  market  place  ready 
to  have  acted,"  &c. 

Thus  pressed  at  home  about  tho  time  of 
tho  negi  tiations  at  Ghent,  tho  continental 
perplexity  of  England  was  still  more  favor- 
al)lo  to  peace  with  tho  United  States. 
"Having  covered  Europe  with  her  gold," 
says  Do  Pradt,  "whoever  wanted  could  have 
it  against  Napoleon,  and  there  was  no  limit 
to  English  largesses.  Uut  when  settlement 
day  came,  after  the  battle,  then  it  was  that 
England  felt  the  extent  of  her  sacrifices. 
Maritime  rights  presented  one  formidable 
obstacle  in  her  way.  Tho  day  would  come," 
Do  Pradt  trusted,  "  when  Sweden,  co-ope- 
rating with  other  powers,  would  constrain 
England  to  temper  her  naval  superiority  by 
the  exercise  of  justice."  Great  Britain  was 
the  only  one  oi  tho  conquerors  that  would 
not  yield  her  share  of  the  spoils.  Malta 
and  several  other  conquests  she  would 
not  p.'rt  with.  Our  American  fellow-citi- 
zen, Talleyrand,  at  tho  Congress  of  Vienna, 
had  no  option  but  to  sustain  our  cause 
at  Ghent.  When  cited  before  that  court  of 
justice,  Franco,  oven  under  Louis  XVIII., 
mig'  rather  take  tho  chances  of  wager 
of  battle  again  than  subn.'.t  to  what  Avas 
justly  deplored  as  tho  fri<jlttful  payment  of 
seven  hundred  millions  for  her  rescue  from 
Napoleon,  l>esides  all  tho  further  charges 
and  ])oignant  mortification  of  five  years' 
submission  to  the  foreign  force  com- 
manded thoro  by  Wellington,  debts  plead- 
ed by  Franco  to  the  American  minister, 
and  acquiesced  in  by  him,  as  reason  for 
postponing  settlement  with  us.  Tho  Edin- 
burgh Review  (Vol.  XXXII.,  p.  403)  has 
einco  declared  "  that  it  was  generally  un- 
dorstoou  that  tho  state  of  tho  discussions 
at  tiie  Congress  of  Vienna  was  on  the  poiiit 
gf  liijhting  up  a  new  war."    No  sooner  was 


the  treaty  concluded  at  Ghent,  than  England 
assumed  a  new  and  peremptory  attitude  at 
Vienna,  and  entered  into  a  se})arato  treaty 
with  France  and  Austria,  to  tho  exclusion 
of  Russia  and  Prussia,  when,  on  tho  11th 
December,  1814,  tho  Archduke  Constan- 
tino at  Warsaw  issued  an  order,  by  which 
negotiations  conducted  in  opposition  to  the 
views  of  the  Russian  Empire,  were  threat- 
ened with  five  hundred  thousand  Russian 
troops  to  settle  tho  Polish  difficulty,  and 
save  the  Congress  of  Vienna  all  further 
trouble.  Opposition  at  Vienna,  of  Franco 
and  England  to  Russia,  induced  the  Empe- 
ror Alexander's  causing  Talleyrand's  re- 
moval from  tho  French  ministry.  Napoleon, 
on  his  csctape  from  Elba,  findmg  a  treaty, 
offensive  and  defensive,  between  France, 
Austria,  and  Prussia,  among  the  archives 
of  Louis  XVIII.,  had  made  it  known  to 
Alexander,  and  flung  among  tho  sovereigns 
as  an  apple  of  discord. 

While  such  was  the  portentous  aspect  of 
Europe  toward  England,  and  her  own  do- 
mestic condition,  all  urging  sudden  and  to- 
tal change  of  tone  at  Ghent,  tho  United 
States,  by  instantaneous  disclosure  of  tho 
first  demands  there,  were  made  to  fool  that 
what  had  not  been  unanimous  must  be  na- 
tional hostilities,  no  longer  ofi'ensive,  but 
defensive,  and  involve  tho  existence  of 
tho  country,  whoso  whole  energies  were 
indispensable  to  its  rescue,  as  tho  Execu- 
tive was  resolved  to  call  them  forth.  From 
the  moment  tho  people  were  thoroughly 
roused  by  British  dictation  at  Ghent,  an 
American  spirit  was  displayed  before  which 
tho  British  government  thought  it  best  to 
recede.  Another  campaign,  and  in  all  pro- 
bability most  of  the  English  North  Ameri- 
can possessions  would  have  boon  wrested 
from  them.  And,  while  such  might  have 
boon  the  issue  hero,  there  could  have  been, 
without  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  no  victory 
of  Waterloo,  achieved  by  British  arms. 
3Iany  British  authorities,  to  enhance  Wel- 
lington's glory,  have  asserted  that  his  thir- 
ty-five thousand  British  troops  at  Waterloo 
were  what  Lord  Castloreagh,  in  Parliament, 
called  (jrecn,  and  Sir  Walter  Scott,  in  his 
extremely  fabulous  life  of  Napoleon,  also 
misrepresents  as  but  few  reliable,  while  tho 
veterans  remained  in  America.  If  so,  not 
only  tho  militia  of  Vermont  and  Tennessee 
defeated  the  best  British  soldiers  at  Platts- 
burg  and  New  Orleans,  but  tho  worst  Bri- 
tish soldiers  defeated  tho  French  at  Water- 
loo. But  the  latter  is  not  the  fact.  As  soon 
as  peace  was  ratified,  tho  British  armies 
in  America  began  their  return  to  England 
and  arrived  at  Watcrlo  j.  General  Lambert, 
on  whom  the  command  devolved,  after  Pa- 
konham  and  Gibbs  wore  killed,  and  Keeno 
wounded  at  New  Orleans,  and  General 
Ivempt,  who  served  with  Prevost  in  Canada, 
are  officially  applauded  by  Wellington  for 
their  services  at  "Waterloo,  to  which  battle 


Chap.  XIII.] 


THE  ENGLISH  IN  AMERICA. 


317 


Admirals  Cockbiirn,  Malcolm  and  Cndrinji;- 
toii,  taken  from  the  Chesapeake  and  Jlissis- 
sippi,  arc  also  mentioned  as  naval  contribu- 
tors. Without  the  peace  of  Ghent,  espe- 
cially after  their  discomfiture  ac  New  Or- 
leans, all  those  troops,  with  the  whole  navy, 
must  have  remained  in  America,  and  pro- 
bably the  death  of  Ross,  Pakenham  and 
Gibbs  have  rcriuircd  the  great  Captain's 
presence  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  For 
the  military  character  of  Great  Rritain 
demanded  that  to  hor  first  military  talents 
should  bo  committed  the  task  of  retrieving 
the  honor  of  British  arms,  and  satisfying 
the  exasperated  passions  of  the  British  na- 
tion. Where,  then,  on  the  irruption  of  Na- 
poleon in  March,  1815,  would  have  been 
the  British  troops,  which,  by  a  train  of  for- 
tunate circumstances,  Avere  enabled,  under 
Wellington,  to  make  a  timely  stand  during 
four  hours  and  a  half  on  the  18th  of  June, 
18ir),  against  the  assaults  of  the  French, 
and  sustain  their  shock  till  th'^  Prussians 
came  to  British  relief?  Overpowered  Na- 
poleon might  have  ultimately  been;  but 
English  agency  in  effecting  that  result 
must  have  been  insignificant,  and  her  chance 
of  either  glory  or  profit  by  it  proportiouably 
slight. 

If  Napoleon  had  not  reappeared,  English 
difficulties,  almost  insuperable  at  Vienna, 
had  become  more  intractable  from  a  belief 
tliere  and  everywhere  that  she  was  too 
much  engrossed  and  pressed  by  the  Ameri- 
can war  to  be  able  to  sustain  adequately 
her  lofty  and  selfish  hold  upon  the  spoils  of 


European  conquests.  All  she  coulil  do  or 
attempt,  after  disengaging  her  right  (tlio 
naval)  arm,  was  to  divide  the  allied  powers 
by  secret  league  with  the  Bourbons,  whom, 
as  was  well  said,  she  contracted  onc-haU'  her 
national  debt  to  build  up,  and  then  the  other 
half  to  pull  down.  Sending  more  British 
troops  eitlier  across  the  British  Channel,  or 
the  Atlantic,  was  out  of  the  question,  in  the 
condition  shown  to  have  been  that  of  her 
own  metropolis,  when  its  tranquillity  was 
maintained  by  militai'v  force  only. 

Without  the  peace  of  Ghent  the  condition 
of  the  United  States  would  have  been  anx- 
ious and  critical,  no  doubt,  but  involved  no 
lasting  or  terril)Ie  distress  of  the  country  or 
danger  to  the  Union.  English  armies,  led 
bj'  Wellington,  might  have  perpetrated 
severe  inflictions,  perhaps  captured  some 
places,  more  like  cities  than  Washington, 
and  turned  the  spirit  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion more  completely  from  pacific  to  military 
pursuits.  But  no  considerate  person  can 
suppose  that  what  failed  in  1777,  could  have 
succeeded  in  1815.  Predatory  and  profitless 
mischief,  what  would  it  do,  but  unite  this 
country,  disgust  all  others,  and  mortify  the 
British  people  themselves?  And  this  his- 
torical sketch,  exhuming  facts  and  reviving 
recollections,  is  no  appeal  to  English  fear, 
but  memory;  not  to  pi'ovoke,  but  prevent 
another  war,  by  telling  the  truth  of  the  last, 
when  in  all  probability  another  campaign 
would  have  expelled  Great  Britain  forever 
from  North  America. 


END    OF    VOL.    II, 


